Rye to be airedon the BBC thisChristmass

Undated BBC Handout Photo from Mapp And Lucia. Pictured: Emmeline 'Lucia' Lucas (ANNA CHANCELLOR), Georgie Pillson (STEVE PEMBERTON) and Elizabeth Mapp (MIRANDA RICHARDSON). See PA Feature XMAS Chancellor. Picture Credit should read: PA Photo/BBC/Nick Briggs. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature XMAS Chancellor. WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be published in print for editorial use during the publicity period (the weeks immediately leading up to and including the transmission week of the relevant programme or event and three review weeks following) for the purpose of publicising the programme, person or service pictured and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. Any use of this image on the internet and other online communication services will require a separate prior agreement with BBC Pictures. For any other purpose whatsoever, incl

The three part mini-series was filmed in the town in idyllic weather over the summer months using locations such as Lamb House, Church Square and Market Street.

The first episode is being broadcast on BBC 1 at 9.05pm on December 29 and will be shown at the same time on 30 and 31.

Mapp and Lucia was written by former Rye Mayor E F Benson and concerns a game of social one-upmanship (or womanship) between newcomer Emmeline “Lucia” Lucas and resident queen bee Elizabeth Mapp.

The BBC adaptation was written by Steve Pemberton and stars Miranda Richardson, Anna Chancellor and Mark Gatiss and features local people as extras.

Mark Gattis commented: “It is timeless. We filmed in the Church Square and it’s so confined and tiny, everyone in and out of everyone’s lives.”

Commenting on the leading ladies, Gattis said: ““There are not that many actresses who can do the drama and the comedy… it really isn’t easy to get that lightness of touch.”

One scene shows Market Street as it would have been with an old traditional butcher’s shop and there is a scene from the look-out at Watchbell Street overlooking the Marsh.

For the series, the summer house at the rear of Lamb House was reconstructed. The original was destroyed by a German bomb in the last war.

Jane Ellis, tourism marketing officer for 1066 Country believes the series will generate interest in Rye and attract more visitors.

She said: “Benson wrote of Rye ‘there is not in all England a town so blatantly picturesque as Tilling’.

“During his time in Rye, Benson lived at Lamb House, former home of Henry James.

“People can visit St Mary the Virgin church to view the stained glass window he donated and spot Benson’ portrait and his dog incorporated into the picture.”