BBC Two’s new three-part adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s classic comedy satire Decline and Fall is to be filmed in South Wales after securing backing from the Welsh Government’s Wales Screen Fund.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Principal photography has commenced with a star studded cast that includes Jack Whitehall (Bad Education, Fresh Meat), David Suchet (Agatha Christie’s Poirot), Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives) and Douglas Hodge (Penny Dreadful). The attached shows Whitehall in costume on his first day of filming in Atlantic College, St Donats Castle, St Donats, Llantwit Major.
Welsh Government is providing financial support to Tiger Aspect Drama and Cave Bear Productions who, it is anticipated will spend around £1.8m in Wales.
Decline and Fall has a strong Welsh flavour with the majority of the action set in a fictional public school in the Welsh countryside.
Tiger Aspect Productions, an Endemol Shine company, is internationally recognized as one of the UK’s most successful and prolific independent television producers. It anticipated there will be strong international interest in the production.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy Ken Skates said:
“I am delighted to announce this funding that ensures this eagerly awaited high profile drama series is to be filmed on location in Wales. It is the latest high end TV production to film in Wales and can only enhance our growing reputation as the location of choice.
“It will provide a real boost for the industry offering work and up-skilling opportunities for Welsh crew while creating a wider range of economic benefits for many small businesses working across a range of sectors.”
Wales Screen is working with Tiger Aspect and advising on locations in and around South Wales and assisting them with finding freelance crew and local trainees to work on the production.
Tiger Aspect Drama’s Executive producer, Frith Tiplady added:
“We are excited and grateful that the support from the Welsh Government’s Wales Screen Fund has enabled us to film Decline and Fall in Wales. We are going to be filming some stunning Welsh locations and working with first class local crew.”
Adapted for television for the first time by James Wood (Rev) it will be directed by Guillem Morales (Julia’s Eyes) with Ben Cavey ( Cave Bear productions) and Will Gould ( Tiger Aspect) producing.
The production marks fifty years since Waugh’s death and the primetime drama series of 3 x60 minute episodes is set to transmit later this year.