Locations in Ipswich have emerged as the latest sets to feature in the new series of BBC series Detectorists – with one even doubling for London.
The popular BBC series starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones is filmed in and around Suffolk, doubling as the fictional Essex town of Danebury.
But as the new series has begun, the company which helped scout locations for the shoot, Screen Suffolk, has revealed that Ipswich also features in the new series.
Screen Suffolk director Karen Everett said: “In the first episode we saw Andy [Mackenzie Crook] on brownfield land on an archaeological dig.
“That was shot at Ipswich’s Futura retail park. In the show, it’s looking like it could be a Roman site.
“I can’t say much about what happens, but there is a find.”
The new series also kicked off scenes depicting slick city life in London, but the chic office block was actually filmed at Suffolk County Council’s Endeavour House in Ipswich.
Around 23 members of the cast and crew filmed at the county council’s headquarters for around five hours.
Mrs Everett added: “The county council was delighted to make the space available.
“The show rather cleverly created a background reflection of London’s Shard building in one scene, and inserted the London Eye in a backdrop. It works really well.
“We’re always saying that Suffolk has the locations to double for anywhere and these opening scenes are a great example.”
The new series has also included a scooter chase along Mill Lane in Butley, a flat in Double Street, Framlingham as Andy’s home and the nearby Castle Inn as the exterior of The Two Brewers.
Redwald Road in Woodbridge, the Bentwaters Park entrance, Station Approach in Saxmundham and the old Saxmundham police station car park are also featured in the new series.
Mrs Everett said that she hopes the show’s crew will return in the future, and added: “The show is so well loved, it would be sorely missed by viewers as well as locals who’ve enjoyed having the production along to film, for weeks at a time, in the summer.
“Everyone so enjoys the little part they play in helping.”
The series is now showing on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer.
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