Another major television drama series is filming in Ballymena, this time at Gracehill village.
‘Dalgliesh’ returned to television screens in 2021, as a new six-part adaptation based on the detective series of novels by P. D. James and sees Bertie Carvel in the title role as the enigmatic detective Adam Dalgliesh.
Set in the 1970s, the series follows Adam Dalgliesh, who is still grieving his wife’s death as he solves unusual murders and reveals buried secrets.
The series, broadcast by Channel 5 in the UK, and Acorn TV in the US, was renewed earlier this year after the popularity and success of the first series.
Lead actor Bertie Carvel, who plays both poet and police detective, arrived in Northern Ireland on June 12 and shared a video on social media (below) as he sailed into Belfast, saying: “The best way to arrive”.
We understand the hit series was filming last week in the Doagh area before moving to Ballymena where a number of production trucks have been parked up in the car park at County Hall.
Last November, another major series used the Galgorm Castle location for production of ‘Tom Jones’ featuring an award-winning cast for ITV.
The village of Gracehill, a settlement founded by the Moravians in 1759. Life in the village nowadays is, of course, very different to the 18th century, but the layout of the buildings and the unique Georgian style of architecture remain very much the same. The Moravian Church remains central to the village, facing the square and flanked by the Manse and the Warden’s House. The Brothers and Sisters Walks, on either side of the Church, meet at the burial ground or “Gods Acre“, which is still in use today.
Some of the vehicles being used in the production. (Images: Jackson Minford)
No release date has been given for Dalgliesh series two.