National Treasure filmed across Yorkshire
High-profile Channel 4 drama National Treasure filmed on location across the north of England and was supported by Screen Yorkshire.
Taking a narrative cue from the ongoing real-life Operation Yewtree investigations into historical sexual abuse crimes, National Treasure tells the fictional story of a TV star – played by Robbie Coltrane – who is accused of historic sex offences and the impact the allegations have on him and his family, as well as his accusers.
The drama filmed on location across Yorkshire in Leeds, Harrogate, Scarborough, Bradford, Hull Old Town and Wakefield. Specific public locations included Leeds Town Hall, Wakefield County Hall and an old police station in the West Yorkshire market town of Pudsey.
“[There was] a lot of removal of modern items for all the flashback scenes but Bradford court room is an extremely well-preserved location,” said Richard Knight, head of production at Screen Yorkshire, in comments to The Knowledge.
“Generally with those kind of public buildings there isn't much scope to do large-scale dressing, and usually there isn't a need to.”
Screen Yorkshire backed National Treasure through its Content Fund and also helped on the ground through the organisation’s in-house production support service. A third of the crew was hired locally.
“National Treasure tackles an issue that is still painfully current to many people across the country,” said Hugo Heppell, head of investments at Screen Yorkshire.
“That it dramatises and humanises Operation Yewtree with such sensitivity is testimony to the exceptional creative talent that has come together to make this show, and we at Screen Yorkshire feel privileged to be involved in bringing it to the screen.’’
Yorkshire is becoming more popular as a regional filming location in England, with ITV’s historical drama Victoria having been the first production to shoot at the county’s Church Fenton Studios.
Swallows and Amazons filmed in Yorkshire and the Lake District last summer, also with the support of Screen Yorkshire’s Content Fund.
National Treasure is screening in the UK on Channel 4 from 20 September 2016.
Image: Aimee Spinks
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