Cardiff turned into Tokyo for TV show filming
IF YOU happened to be strolling through Cardiff city centre on Tuesday, you might have noticed that things looked a little different in Quay Street.
Gone was self-proclaimed “home of the unauthentic taco” La Pantera and in its place was a typical Japanese high street that doubled for Tokyo.
Decked out in Japanese insignia, lanterns, and bold crimson colouring there were also several open-air cooking demonstrations.
The sight of filming crews would have ruined the illusion to passers-by who all had the same question: would The City Arms be open for business?
In all seriousness, a TV show had taken over Quay Street and transformed Cardiff into Tokyo.
“The Lazarus Project season two. It’s a Sky thing that was on earlier in the year,” a member of crew for the production company told an inquisitive member of the public.
Starring Gangs of London’s Paapa Essiedu, The Lazarus Project debuted its first season in June.
The official synopsis for the series reads: “When a man is stuck reliving a day he is recruited for the Lazarus Project, a secret organisation that has harnessed the ability to turn back time every time the world is at threat of extinction.”
Essiedu is joined by Anjli Mohindra (The Sarah Jane Adventures, Bodyguard), Rudy Dharmalingam (The Split, Tin Star), Tom Burke (Strike, The Musketeers), and Caroline Quentin (Men Behaving Badly, Jonathan Creek).
The first season was filmed in Cardiff, Bristol, Prague and Postoloprty.
A second was soon commissioned following the popularity of the first as its storylines and performances were praised.
In a joint statement, Joe Barton (series writer/executive producer) and Johnny Capps (executive producer) said: “We are thrilled at the success of season one and at Sky’s recommission. We have bold and ambitious plans for series two which will reunite all our characters in more thrilling and mind-bending adventures.”
As to when viewers can expect to watch The Lazarus Project: Season Two, a member of the crew said they can watch in 2024.
Catch up on The Lazarus Project’s first series on NOW TV.