Car Share and Hearbeat stars spotted filming new BBC comedy in Bolton
The cameras were back in Greater Manchester’s very own Hollywood today as BBC comedy Undoing Martin Parker filmed in Bolton. Local viewers have loved spotting Bolton in the immensely popular Happy Valley in recent weeks with the town set to return to screens with this new BBC show. Undoing Martin Parker is set in 1990s Manchester revolving around Martin Parker, played by Conleth Hill of Game of Thrones fame, described as a ‘self-made impresario with the ambition of Alan Sugar and the swagger of Kilroy Silk’.
This show shows his downfall at the hands of all those he’s thrown under the bus with his need for success. The show also follows Martin’s wife Diane, played by Heartbeat’s Rosie Caveliero, father-in-law Dougie, played by George Costigan of recent Happy Valley fame, and mobile hairdresser Kath, played by Sian Gibson of Peter Kay’s Car Share, and Kath’s best mate Gladys (Sheila Reid, Benidorm). READ MORE: Residents angered by huge billboard that’s so bright it’s like a ‘second sun’
Trucks could be seen on Victoria Square in Bolton town centre throughout the day whilst the filming took place. An empty shopping unit on Hotel Street was dressed up as a bank for some scenes being filmed. Passer-bys got to see Caveliro and Gibson acting their scenes outside this makeshift bank on Hotel Street with camera equipment dotted about the town centre.
The empty unit was transformed into a bank for the filming (Image: Manchester Evening News)
The BBC announced the show back in August of last year with co-writer Gibson, who grew up in Wales before meeting Peter Kay at Salford University before appearing in his shows’ Phoenix Nights and Car Share, saying it was great to be reliving some of the 1990s through this new show. “Luckily my fashion sense hasn’t changed since 1990 so it’s a dream to be reliving my youth and dusting off my crimpers with this amazing cast and wonderful team,” she said.
Paul Coleman added: “Thrilled to be writing this series and working with such a wonderfully talented cast, who are all helping us shine a much needed light on the themes of family feuds, revenge and top-loading VCRs.” Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy, says: “Sian and Paul (Coleman) have created an irresistible gang of comedy characters and a world packed with joyful nostalgia. The quality of their writing is matched by a fantastic cast and we’re incredibly excited to introduce Martin Parker and bring this lovable rogue to BBC audiences next year.”
Undoing Martin Parker (6×30′) has been commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It is co-created and written by Paul Coleman and Sian Gibson, produced by Gill Isles, executive produced by Kate Daughton for Boffola pictures and Head of BBC Comedy Tanya Qureshi and will be co-produced with Lookout Point. Filming for the show is also taking place in Stockport.
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