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MOTION PICTURE & PRO-VIDEO tv in production
THE SCENT OF
MYSTERY
Rosemary & Thyme are back on the trail for a second series of
fragrant sleuthing
T he world-famous Hanbury Gardens sound the epitome of pukka English sward and
flora but, in fact, you’d actually find them on a secluded headland at Cape Mortola between Italy and
France near Ventimiglia.
The eighteen hectares of botanical
bliss, first established in 1867 by silk and tea merchant Sir Thomas Hanbury, play exotic host – under a suitable nom de plume - to one of the episodes in the second series of ITV1’s primetime comedy-thriller series, Rosemary & Thyme, which begins air- ing this month.
In fact, the film crew spent the first month of production on the Cote D’Azur filming a couple of shows in the new batch following its successful premiere season last year.
According to producer Brian Eastman of Carnival Films, the first series was, “the highest rated new drama series of the year on all chan- nels. This season kicks off with a two- hour special, followed by seven one hour episodes.”
Said Eastman: “The challenges of last year were repeated in even greater measure, with more adventurous scripts and the addition of two foreign locations. Whilst the March weather in England saw the normal cloudy skies, the production moved to Menton.
“The area has been popular with English visitors for 150 years, ever since Queen Victoria wintered there. Many beautiful gardens are the legacy of this historic link, and the spring light presented wonderful photograph- ic opportunities.”
Based for a month in Menton, they also shot scenes at La Serre de la Madone, Le Val Rehmeh and Le Clos du Peyronnet as well as Hanbury, across the Italian border, with its mag- nificent wisteria.
Added Eastman: “The post-Easter period saw very variable weather in the UK, presenting tremendous light- ing and matching difficulties. But DP Paul Englefield and his team were more than a match for the British cli- mate and the final graded pictures belie the tricky conditions.”
Now, on July 30, it’s the 100th and last day of filming for an episode intriguingly entitled ‘The Gongoozlers’, which is certainly more exotic than any- thing on offer from a rather mundane location at Beaconsfield Town Hall, dou- bling as the local police station.
You may recall that R&T refers to biology lecturer Rosemary Boxer and ex-policewoman Laura Thyme – aka Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris – a pair of doughty gardeners, who double as unlikely sleuths.
Variously dubbed ‘Murder Most Floral’ and ‘Ground Force Meets
continued on page 13 Photo: Rosemary & Thyme stars Pam Ferris and Felicity Kendal
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