BBC filming War of the Worlds TV drama in UK
Filming is underway on BBC One’s three-part adaptation of The War of the Worlds with shooting taking place in Liverpool and Cheshire.
By Nia Daniels 15 Mar 2018
Filming is underway on BBC One’s three-part adaptation of seminal alien invasion story The War of the Worlds with shooting taking place in Liverpool and Cheshire.
Mammoth Screen is making the drama – the first time the classic HG Wells novel has been made for British television – with Craig Viveiros directing from Peter Harness’ script.
“I'm feeling phenomenally lucky to be writing The War of the Worlds and blowing up gigantic swathes of the Home Counties at the dawn of the 20th century,” said Harness of the commission when it was first announced.
“Wells’ book is ground zero for all modern science fiction and, like all the best sci-fi, manages to sneak in some pretty astonishing comments on what it is to be a human being too.”
Liverpool is growing as a north-west England production hub, but so far largely for British shoots. The city made £11m from movie and TV location work in 2017.
“For many years Liverpool has been one of the UK’s most filmed locations outside of London and it’s fantastic to see that the city retains that appeal with productions returning to the city time and time again,” said councillor Wendy Simon, who is also assistant mayor and cabinet member responsible for Liverpool’s film office.
“This city provides the perfect backdrop for directors. There are so many diverse and stunning locations on offer and Liverpool can be transformed into different destinations, whether it be New York, London or Eastern Europe – its appeal is endless.”
The War of the Worlds was originally published in 1898 and charts a Martian invasion in Surrey and other parts of southern England.
Steven Spielberg directed the most recent major movie adaptation of the story in 2005 (pictured), relocating the story to the eastern US.
See KFTV's production guide for more on filming in the UK.
Main page image: FreeImages/Alasdair Ferguson. Article image: Paramount Pictures
“I'm feeling phenomenally lucky to be writing The War of the Worlds and blowing up gigantic swathes of the Home Counties at the dawn of the 20th century,” said Harness of the commission when it was first announced.
“Wells’ book is ground zero for all modern science fiction and, like all the best sci-fi, manages to sneak in some pretty astonishing comments on what it is to be a human being too.”
Liverpool is growing as a north-west England production hub, but so far largely for British shoots. The city made £11m from movie and TV location work in 2017.
“For many years Liverpool has been one of the UK’s most filmed locations outside of London and it’s fantastic to see that the city retains that appeal with productions returning to the city time and time again,” said councillor Wendy Simon, who is also assistant mayor and cabinet member responsible for Liverpool’s film office.
“This city provides the perfect backdrop for directors. There are so many diverse and stunning locations on offer and Liverpool can be transformed into different destinations, whether it be New York, London or Eastern Europe – its appeal is endless.”
The War of the Worlds was originally published in 1898 and charts a Martian invasion in Surrey and other parts of southern England.
Steven Spielberg directed the most recent major movie adaptation of the story in 2005 (pictured), relocating the story to the eastern US.
See KFTV's production guide for more on filming in the UK.
Main page image: FreeImages/Alasdair Ferguson. Article image: Paramount Pictures
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