Starz Original Limited Series drama The White Princess, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed The White Queen from Company Pictures and Playground has commenced filming in Bristol and at The Bottle Yard Studios.
London based Company Pictures and Playground are basing the production offices for the series at The Bottle Yard Studios and using build space, stores and costume areas. The production is also filming at various locations throughout the city with Bristol Film Office providing unit bases, location liaison and holding areas for the high volume of cast of extras.
Adapted from Philippa Gregory’s best-selling novel of the same name and part of The Cousins’ War book series, The White Princess sees England ostensibly united by the marriage of Elizabeth of York and King Henry VII but their personal and political rift runs deep and the war that rages between them threatens to tear the kingdom apart once again. The White Princess is a tale of power, family, love, betrayal and death, which charts one of the most tumultuous times in British history uniquely from the point of view of the women waging the ongoing battle for the English throne.
The eight episode original limited series drama is helmed by writer Emma Frost (The White Queen, The Man in the High Castle, Shameless) as Showrunner and Executive Producer. The show will be directed by Jamie Payne (Legends, Quantico), also on board as Producer. The White Princess stars award-winning Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) as Margaret Beaufort, Henry Tudor’s mother and Jodie Comer (Doctor Foster, My Mad Fat Diary, Thirteen), plays Princess Elizabeth of York.
Lachlan MacKinnon, Producer said: “We’re delighted to be working at The Bottle Yard Studios which is an ideal production base given its proximity to some of the finest Tudor locations England has to offer. The height and size of the studios were a big draw for us due to the size of our set build, and Fiona and her team couldn’t have been more helpful in facilitating this.”
Fiona Francombe, Site Director of The Bottle Yard Studios, said: “Having hosted them for BBC Two’s award winning Wolf Hall in 2014, it’s a great pleasure to have Company Pictures and Playground back on site and t to be assisting them with their exciting new production. We have a track record in period drama and it’s wonderful to add another to our portfolio and one that will be aired on a premium cable and satellite channel to a world-wide audience.”
Natalie Moore, Bristol Film Office said: “This is another historical drama series that is tapping into Bristol’s fabulous period locations and we’re delighted to welcome back Company Pictures and Playground, and to help them with logistical and location support for their latest production to ensure the smooth running of their filming in the city.”
Lachlan MacKinnon (Burton and Taylor) is serving as Producer for the series, with Gregory on board as Executive Producer on this adaptation of her novel. Playground’s Colin Callender (The White Queen, The Dresser, Wolf Hall) and Scott Huff will serve as Executive Producers with Company Pictures’ Michele Buck (Parades End, Sex Traffic, Hornblower).