Bath’s beleaguered hospitality industry is hoping for a boost in visitor numbers next year after a major TV period drama series filmed in the city premieres on Christmas Day.
Bridgerton, described as a witty, romantic, emotional and thoroughly modern take on the Regency era, will be screened on Netflix over eight episodes.
Although set in London, it was shot extensively in Bath between August and November last year.
A large number of city location provided the backdrop for scenes from the drama, based on the books of Julia Quinn – making it the most extensive and ambitious filming ever carried out in the city.
According to IMDb, the authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity information, a second season has already been commissioned.
Tourism linked to locations used in popular cinema and film dramas is big business, with the British Film Institute (BFI) estimating it generated almost £600m for the national visitor economy in 2016.
Bath has benefited hugely from starring roles in countless period dramas for decades – the city’s peerless Regency architecture makes it a magnet for so-called bonnet busters – while having production companies in the city also has a major economic impact.
Bath’s Film Office, which is run by Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council, estimates film and TV companies spending around £2m a year on accommodation, food, local crew and purchases from other local businesses in the city.
In recent years Bath has been the backdrop for modern-day TV crime drama McDonald and Dodds, pictured, as well as in its more traditional role in hit TV series such Poldark.
Although travel from many of Bath’s key overseas markets has not been possible for much of this year, seeing destinations on screen that can inspire future visits is an important part of recovery of the city’s hospitality industry.
Key figures are now hoping Bath’s prominence in Bridgerton will help boost visitor numbers to the city post Covid. Visit Bath, the city’s destination marketing organisation, and Visit Britain have already received interest from international media wanting to feature the locations used in the series.
Visit Bath interim CEO Kathryn Davis said: “Screen tourism can have a big impact on a destination, from both domestic and international audiences, and we have been working closely with media in the UK and partners overseas to link the series back to its Bath locations.
“The simultaneous release here and in key overseas markets gives us an incredible opportunity to raise our profile, creating linked itineraries and boosting the visitor economy that has been devastated during 2020.”
B&NES cabinet member for community services Paul Crossley added: “It was incredibly exciting to have such a lavish production choose Bath as the location for multiple scenes.
“Our Highways, Parking and Heritage Services teams were heavily involved and because Bridgerton is a period drama a lot of work had to be carried out ahead of filming to eradicate all trace of 21st century life, including removing benches, lights and bins.
“Bath is a magnet for film makers, and we do encourage productions to the area. Not only does it promote our fantastic city and the surrounding areas to a wider audience, but it has a big impact on the local economy.”
Bridgerton’s filming was co-ordinated by Bath Film Office, which promotes the district as a film and TV location and helps productions to access public areas with the minimum of disruption to residents and businesses.
No 1 Royal Crescent features as the exterior of the home of the Featheringtons, one of the key families in the drama, but multiple other interior and exterior locations were used across the city centre from Abbey Green and Bath Street to the Holburne Museum and the Banqueting Room at the Guildhall.
Viewers who tune in to Bridgerton will follow the exploits of the beautiful, wealthy and respected Bridgerton family who expect to have no trouble finding their latest debutant Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) a husband.
That is until anonymous gossip writer Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews) declares her unworthy.
As well as Bridgerton, viewers can expect to see Netflix and Bristol-based Aardman’s first animated musical Robin on screens next year. Netflix’s adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel Rebecca was also filmed in and around the South West.
Bridgerton has been made by Shondaland for Netflix. Shondaland’s previous hits have included Greys Anatomy and Scandal.
Netflix has said it is committed to the UK and the South West for the long term. This year it invested £1bn filming 50 productions, creating more than 5,000 jobs across the country.
Pictured top: A scene from the forthcoming Netflix series Bridgerton, shot in Bath’s Beauford Square
