THE BBC announced the third series of its hit show The Capture yesterday – but the first day of filming promised to be just as dramatic as one of the storylines.
The thriller, starring Holliday Grainger, started production this week on the Church End Estate in Harlesden, North West London.
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But apparently, the cast and crew were a little alarmed when they found out they were going to be based in one of the most crime-riddled inner city areas of the capital.
A TV insider said: “The security teams faced rather a challenge as this corner of London is one of the most dangerous you could pick.
“But The Capture is a gritty drama which requires some suitable gritty surroundings to act as backdrops, so it was felt the location was necessary.
“It’s fair to say that the cast and crew weren’t quite used to being in such surroundings, however, and the production team had to take extensive measures to ensure everyone was completely safe.”
The area is the territory of organised gangs such as the Crime Scene Boyz and the Thugs of Stonebridge whose members have been carrying out local tit-for-tat killings for more than two decades.
Despite this, a spokeswoman for the BBC yesterday said: “No issues have been raised with this location.” adding: “All standard filming protocols have been followed.”
‘Incredibly lucky’
The six-part BBC One series will see Holliday return in the surveillance drama as Rachel Carey, alongside Ben Miles as Danny Hart and Lia Williams as Gemma Garland plus guest star Killian Scott.
Although details of his character have yet to be confirmed, Killian is likely to be filling the male lead role in the series previously occupied by Callum Turner in series one and then by Paapa Essiedu in the second season.
Before the first day of filming, Killian said: “I just feel incredibly lucky to be joining the team for season three.”
BRUNO’S AMERICAN PAL’S GOT TALENT
STRICTLY Come Dancing has the Dave Arch Band and its fabulous singers.
But America’s Dancing With The Stars has CJ Emmons – and he’s about to make it big here.
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The crooner pops up on Britain’s Got Talent this weekend and surprises Bruno Tonioli, who is also a judge on the US dance show.
Bruno told me: “My friend CJ is the principal singer on Dancing With The Stars in America, so I have known him for a very long time.
“I remember him asking me once whether I thought he should come and do BGT, but I had no idea he was going to come this year so it was a surprise to see him on that stage.
“He’s an incredible vocalist, such a talent – he really deserves to be in the spotlight for once.
“I’d be so pleased if he gets recognised for his talent. He has been working behind the scenes for so long, hidden away behind the curtains, it got me emotional seeing him on stage.
“I felt so proud, I couldn’t speak. I was in tears. I think he just represents all those amazing vocalists working hard in the background who don’t seem to get their moment.”
Watch CJ step into the spotlight on Saturday at 7pm on ITV1.
IT’S TRUE LOVE FOR VICKY
HERE is a first glimpse at the leading ladies on upcoming Channel 4 series, The Honesty Box.
Looking sensational are host Vicky Pattison and “sincerity coach” Lucinda Light, snapped on the set of the dating contest.
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The show sees couples – called Truetopians – talk about their feelings for one another, with money deducted from a £100,000 jackpot every time they tell a porkie.
But Vicky is optimistic about the chances of an honest romance between contestants.
She said: “It really will put the ‘true’ in ‘true love’.
“I hope that beautiful, honest love stories will blossom.”
Meanwhile, Lucinda will be helping the boys and girls to tell the complete truth about their feelings for one another.
If it’s anything like all the other dating shows, she will have her work cut out.
MR Bates Vs The Post Office star Toby Jones lends his voice to a new series of BBC Two’s Hidden Treasures Of The National Trust this spring.
This time, stories from the past include a mystery painting thought to be of Lawrence of Arabia and a doll’s house that inspired Beatrix Potter’s novels.
GRIN AND WEAR IT WITH WILL
WILL POULTER’s wardrobe is as comical as the plot in his new Hollywood film, Death Of A Unicorn.
The actor, recently seen in Disney+ series The Bear, plays the spoilt son of a corrupt pharmaceutical boss in the comedy, which follows a father and daughter who accidentally kill the mythical creature.
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And he revealed that his costume choices are just as wacky as the movie’s premise.
Will tells Jonathan Ross on his ITV show this Saturday: “There are some serious fashion crimes. We just kept laughing at the fact I’m a silly-looking human being, so we went for really short shorts and maximised the amount of pale, lanky legs on show.”
He joins singer Craig David and comic Jack Dee on the show, which airs at 9.20pm.
