13/07/2011

The cast and crew of Eternal Law took a break from filming last night (12th July) to let their hair down at Revolution Bar in York. The ‘Eternal Thanks' thank you event was organised by Visit York in partnership with the City of York Council, to thank the production company Kudos for choosing York as their main filming location.

Filming for the new six-part ITV series, by the team behind Spooks and Life On Mars, began on 20th June and will finish in two weeks time. Eternal Law, which will be screened next year, is a bittersweet drama which focuses on two York-based lawyers, Zak and Tom, who are angels sent to earth to help the community and try to understand the human condition.

Samuel West, who plays the character Zak thanked Visit York, the City of York council and Screen Yorkshire for offering so much help and such a warm welcome; ‘filming in York has been a real joy and everyone including the city's residents and businesses has been so supportive; even when we have had to cause some disruption. The beauty and layout of the city has also influenced some of our scenes, so York itself has really shaped how we tell the story.'

Alison Jackson, Executive Producer of Eternal Law, said, ‘I genuinely haven't come across a destination where so many people have pulled out all the stops to help us make this production and we are so grateful for that. York can be truly proud of its film friendly partnership.'

John Yeomans, Chairman of Visit York, explained the importance of the film production for the city; ‘This production is a major coup for York and demonstrates how our Film Friendly Charter is paying dividends. We believe we are fast becoming the most film friendly city in the UK. Our aim now is to maximize the potential of Eternal Law for the city, when millions of viewers tune in to the series next year. We will be working hard to persuade those viewers to see York for themselves.'

Over forty cast, crew members and writers turned out to the thank you event including some of the drama's leading actors and actresses; Hattie Morahan (Sense And Sensibility, The Golden Compass, Lark Rise To Candleford) and Sam West (Howard's End, Jane Eyre, Notting Hill).

Filming for Eternal law has been based at the Purey Cust building, in the shadow of York Minster, where part of the ground and first floor have been used as a film set with associated office accommodation. Eternal Law has been written by Ashley Pharoah and Matthew Graham who penned the award- winning Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes. The series is a joint production by their production company, Monastic Productions, and Kudos Film and Television, whose previous credits also include Spooks, Hustle and Law & Order: UK. ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR
Visit York and the City of York Council, in partnership with Screen Yorkshire, signed a Film Friendly Charter in October 2008, committing to ensuring that York becomes the most film friendly location in the UK.

For further information please contact:
Kay Hyde - PR Manager - Visit York
Direct Line: 01904 554451
Mobile: 07961 828092
Email: kh@visityork.org

Katie Porter - PR Executive - Visit York
Direct Line: 01904 554436
Email: kp@visityork.org

Visit York

• Visit York is supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, City of York Council and tourism businesses. Welcome to Yorkshire is charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber visitor economy.

• Visit York's aim is to market York as a must-see world-class destination to the leisure and business visitor, and ensure investment to develop the quality of tourism in York. Visit York is responsible for leisure and conference marketing, visitor services (running the city's Visitor Information Centre), training and developing the tourism product.

• Visit York is the driving force of the city's tourism industry. Key facts:
7.1 million visitors, £443 million total visitor spend, 23,000 jobs