Brand new ITV detective drama Invisible has wrapped filming at The Bottle Yard Studios following a ten week shoot that has filmed exclusively in Bath and Bristol.
The new series of feature length crime mysteries set in modern Bath stars BAFTA-winner Jason Watkins (The Crown, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies) alongside Tala Gouveia (Cold Feet). Produced by Mammoth Screen (Poldark, World On Fire, The Pale Horse), Invisible began filming in early August, both on set at The Bottle Yard Studios and on location in the region, predominantly in Bath with support from the city’s Film Office. Locations included Lansdown Crescent, Parade Gardens, Abbey Churchyard, The Guildhall and The Bell Pub.
Filming also took place at a number of Bristol locations, assisted by Bristol Film Office, including Goldney Hall in Clifton, Wills Memorial Hall on Park Street, the Marriot Hotel on College Green and Queen’s Square. Sets built at The Bottle Yard included the show’s central police station and interiors of a police incident trailer.
Managing Director of Mammoth Screen, Damien Timmer says: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to shoot Invisible against the backdrop of modern Bath and Bristol, and we’re hugely grateful to the local community for being so welcoming. The location takes centre stage in the series, and has provided us with a wealth of varied sites – from impressive Grade II listed buildings, cathedrals and gardens; to hospitals, libraries and gyms – which were chosen to reflect the classic and historical city of Bath in a contemporary setting, in keeping with the overall approach of the drama. In addition, it’s been wonderful to return to The Bottle Yard Studios to shoot an array of the interior scenes for the series. As such an easily accessible and versatile space to work in, it has been an ideal base for the drama.”
Fiona Francombe, Site Director of The Bottle Yard Studios says: “It’s been a pleasure to have had Mammoth Screen back at The Bottle Yard for the third production they’ve based with us this year, following Poldark’s finale and BBC thriller The Pale Horse. The fact that they have embraced so many Bath and Bristol locations is great for the region’s filming profile. It’s also been a joy to welcome back the talented Jason Watkins, who is no stranger to Bristol having made The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies and Trollied here previously. We look forward to seeing him on screen against the modern Bath setting of this new drama.”
A Bath Film Office spokesperson said: “Mammoth Screen have chosen some fantastic locations in Bath for their filming of Invisible including some of the more recognisable landmarks but also some tucked-away places more familiar to the locals.”
Councillor Paul Crossley, Cabinet Member for Communities added: “Bath has a reputation for period filming due to its wealth of Georgian architecture but it’s great to see the ‘other side’ of Bath being used for contemporary filming for Invisible. The filming will bring substantial economic benefits to the area and will further establish the region’s film-friendly reputation.”
Invisible follows the wildly ambitious DCI McDonald (Gouveia), as she is paired with the shy, modest DS Dodds (Watkins). While McDonald has transferred from the mean streets of South London to leap up the career ladder, Dodds has happily languished on the shelf for most of his working life. McDonald is a tough, driven, battering ram of a cop who cracks cases through sheer force of will; Dodds – the tortoise to her hare – is quiet, unassuming and enigmatic. But thrust back into frontline action for the first time in a decade, he discovers a hidden talent for deciphering puzzles.
Each episode of Invisible takes us into a new story world – from a greed-fueled murder in the upper echelons of Bath society to an unexplained death in a private hospital for recovering addicts. With a classic crime story at its heart, Invisible combines intriguing plots and the journey of two ‘fish-out-ofwater’ detectives with warmth and humour.
Commissioned by Polly Hill, ITV’s Head of Drama, Invisible is produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios. It is created and written by screenwriter, Robert Murphy (lead writer on DCI Banks) and executive produced by Robert Murphy and by Preethi Mavahalli and Damien Timmer for Mammoth. Invisible is produced by Amy Thurgood and directed by Richard Senior (episode one) and Laura Scrivano (episode two).
Invisible will air on ITV in 2020.