People are discovering more and more of what Yorkshire has to offer. Not since Heartbeat and Last of the Summer Wine have we seen some much Yorkshire tele on our screens – and it looks like this is to continue. Shane Meadows will make his BBC drama debut with his adaptation of Yorkshire novelist Benjamin Myers’ award-winning novel The Gallows Pole.
Shane Meadows, who wrote and directed This Is England and directed Dead Mans Shoes, is set to shoot the new production with Element Pictures later this year. His novel is based on a true story of a gang of 18th Century counterfeiters who came to be known as the Cragg Vale Coiners.
The series will be based on the 2017 novel of the same name, which fictionalises the true story of 18th-century ironworker David Hartley and the Cragg Vale Coiners. Hartley assembled his team of crooks to produce counterfeit coins.
The fictionalised tale tells the story of David Hartley, who assembled a team of crooks to produce counterfeit coins. The gang minted their own coins in a con that was so successful it almost brought the Bank of England to its knees.
Earlier this year, Shaheen Baig Casting put out a call for non-professional actors looking for men and women to play between 25-45 years old. It has also been considering professional actors.
Speaking to ScreenDaily Meadows said: “The Gallows Pole is an incredible true story, little known outside of Yorkshire, about a group of very naughty men and women who started clipping and counterfeiting coins out in the Moors as a way to keep themselves and their community alive.
“I’ve never made a period drama before so I’m absolutely buzzing, and to be doing it with Piers [Wenger – BBC’s director of drama]. his incredible team and Element Pictures is nothing short of an honour.”
Piers Wenger, BBC Director of Drama, said: “We pride ourselves on the creative contribution we make and the value we offer to audiences. We will continue to build on the momentum of recent years to ensure that the BBC is and continues to be the home of the very best of British drama.
“In 2021, there are many places for audiences to access premium content. But it is our commitment to creative risk and our passion for Britain’s stand-out writing talent which ensures that even in the age of global streamers, we are able to win big.”
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