Rye to revert toTilling for BBCcostume drama

The cameras will start rolling this month for the new adaptation of E F Benson’s Mapp and Lucia series.

As well as two-time Academy Award nominee Amanda Richardson, the cast features Anna Chancellor, from Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Mark Gattis, from Sherlock and the The League of Gentlemen.

And local people will also get a chance to shine as extras says the film crew.

Filming will take place from May 19 - July 18 at Lamb House, St Marys Church and several other properties on Mermaid Street and Church Square.

There are also plans to film more ambitious sections of the series on Market Street for four days when the crew hope to transform it to ‘Tilling High St’ in the 1930’s, which will involved putting down a temporary road surface.

Miranda Richardson said: “I am so looking forward to a summer of hard work and, I hope, great fun, working on this masterly adaptation of E F Benson’s delicious confection.

“I cannot wait to get my teeth into playing Mapp.”

Mark Gattis said: “ E F Benson’s tales of life in Tilling are some of the most sly, funny and waspishly brilliant stories in the language. It’s an absolute treat to join such a glorious cast to bring them to life.”

Location Manager Henry Woolley said: “We are very excited to be using Rye as the location for the programmes. lt is anticipated that the programmes will be aired over the Christmas period 2014.

“We are liaising closely with the Town Council, Rother Council and the police about the project and are talking to anyone who may be directly affected by our work.

“We are hugely aware and appreciative that we are filming in Rye and that local goodwill is vital to our success. We are keen to involve as many local people as possible during our filming including casting supporting artists roles from the local community.”