Crom Castle West Wing
NEXT week filming begins on the second series of the BBC drama ‘Blandings’ at Fermanagh’s Crom Castle.
The series based on the stories of British comic writer PG Wodehouse, has a new director this year Mandie Fletcher, famous for her work on Only Fools and Horses and Blackadder.
Filming begins on Monday and Crom has been a hub of activity of the last number of weeks as stages have been built, rooms painted and casting days have been held.
This season much of the stellar cast returns including Jennifer Saunders, Timothy Spall and Jack Farthing, but Mark Williams, who played butler Beach is unable to reprise his role and is replaced by actor and comedian Timothy Vine.
David Williams who made a cameo in the first series will also not be returning to Blandings Castle, but Manager at Crom, Noel Johnston, without giving away any names, promised there would be a few ‘star’ additions to the second series.
In regards to local participation in the series Noel explained an effort has been made to to use as many extras from the last season as they could, although he admitted as many of these are now students away at university this was not always possible.
Looking ahead to the second season Noel hopes the show will move on in terms of comedy style.
“It will be interesting to see how things pan out this time. I thought the first series was a bit slapstick, but I did enjoy it, I think it is English humour and I think you really have to read the books to understand it.
“It was up there in terms of ratings with six million people and I think our new director will only serve to grow the show. Mandie was involved in Only Fools and Horses and nobody liked it at the start and now look at the following it has.”
Regardless of the quality of the new season there is no doubt according to Noel, that Blandings has put Crom on the map.
“From a very rural castle in the west of Ireland we have been catapulted into the limelight. People from all over the world now know about Crom.
“This opportunity was one we couldn’t turn down and from a PR and financial perspective it has been fantastic.
“There is also all the local accommodation booked out locally in Lisnaskea and Newtownbutler which wouldn’t traditionally get much. It is a huge boost at this time of year and everybody gains from it.”
The second series will be aired on BBC one in early 2014 and will include seven episodes all filmed on location at Crom Castle.
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