The cast also includes Erin Doherty and Tom Burke

Hugo Blick is directing Bill Nighy and Helena Bonham Carter in new BBC drama California Avenue; filming got underway yesterday, 4 August, in Hertfordshire locations.

Set in the 1970s, the 6 x 60’ series is produced by Drama Republic for the BBC. Colin Wratten produces; the exec producers are Blick for Eight Rooks, Greg Brenman for Drama Republic, Bonham Carter and Lucy Richer for the BBC. Mediawan Rights and Entourage Media will distribute the series internationally.

Set in a remote, canal-side caravan park in the 1970s, the story centres on Doherty as Leia, a woman on the run and seeking sanctuary with her 11 year-old-child.

Bonham Carter and Nighy star as Leia’s parents, Eddie and Jerry with Tom Burke as showman Cooper.

Blick has a history of collaboration with Drama Republic and the BBC; the triumvirate also made The English, The Honourable Woman and Black Earth Rising.

At the time of the official greenlight news, Blick commented: “Over the past few decades, whether through comedy, political dramas or even a western, I’ve looked to explore what television fiction can be. California Avenue is an exploration of the people who inspired me to want to do this.”

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added: “Hugo Blick has given us some of the finest television of the past three decades and it’s an honour to join forces with him alongside Bill, Helena, Erin, Tom and Drama Republic to take BBC viewers on the journey of a lifetime to 1970s California Avenue.”

Bill Nighy (Image credit Aliona Adrianova), Helena Bonham Carter (Image credit Matt Crockett), Erin Doherty (Image credit Joseph Sinclair), Tom Burke (Image credit Rhys Frampton).