The Royal Crescent took centre stage yesterday, when the famous landmark was filmed for a new romantic TV drama, Unknown Heart, with the help of the Council.
Unknown Heart has been shooting in and around Bath in recent weeks. The Council’s Film Office has provided advice and liaison support on many of the locations used.
Councillor Ben Stevens (Lib-Dem Widcombe), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said “The filming of TV dramas contributes considerable investment into the local economy so we are very happy to welcome the production company, Gate TV, back to Bath for a third time. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Film Office works closely with production companies to source filming locations in the area and assist with the smooth running of shoots for the benefit of crews, residents and visitors.”
The London and Munich based production company specialises in making dramas for German and English audiences, with previous productions including The Four Seasons and The Other Wife.
Their latest drama, Unknown Heart, features the actors Jane Seymour (Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman) and Greg Wise (Sense and Sensibility) in leading roles. All three dramas are based on stories by the bestselling novelist, Rosamunde Pilcher.
Unknown Heart tells the fictional story of Elizabeth Lancaster who struggles with the psychological after-effects of a near-death experience following a successful heart transplant. She then falls in love with the widower of the woman who donated the heart – which leads to her having to make one of the most important decisions of her life.
Director Giles Foster who went to Monkton Combe School is a keen champion for filming in Bath, having filmed Northanger Abbey and Bertie and Elizabeth here as well as the previous Gate TV dramas. He said: “It’s great to be back again, filming in this wonderful city. Viewers will see Bath at its most gorgeous and they will want to visit it themselves. We’ve also had our production offices based in beautiful rural North East Somerset during the run up to filming, so we’ve really enjoyed the best of what the area has to offer whilst filming Unknown Heart.”
