Streaming giant Paramount+ has released its new romcom series The Flatshare, which was filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios and across Bristol, assisted by the city’s Film Office earlier this year.
The Flatshare is a brand new six-part romantic comedy series with a twist. It is adapted from Beth O’Leary’s global bestseller. Jessica Brown Findlay and Anthony Welsh star as Tiffany and Leon, two cash-strapped London twenty somethings who share a bed. The catch is – Tiffany and Leon have never met and, if their plan works out, they never will.
Newly dumped by her controlling ex, Tiffany spends her days earning minimum wage for minimum appreciation on a clickbait website, while Leon works nightshifts in a hospice getting life advice from a terminally ill teen as he tries to free his wrongfully jailed brother. But, as the Post-it Notes start to fly and each gets unexpectedly drawn into the other’s messy, complex life, an attraction evolves backwards. The question is – can you really fall in love with a person you’ve never set eyes on?
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The production team were also assisted by Bristol Film Office to film at a host of Bristol locations that doubled for London and Brighton, where the storyline is set. The Flatshare was commissioned by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, UK, Paramount, as part of the streamer’s wider strategy to commission 150 new international originals by 2025.
Producer Rhonda Smith said: “After a positive experience shooting The Girl Before at The Bottle Yard Studios, it was an easy decision to return there when looking for a build space for The Flatshare.
"Once again, both The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office helped facilitate the running of a smooth shoot.”
Laura Aviles, Senior Film Manager, of Bristol City Council said: “It’s a ringing endorsement that Bristol has hosted the majority of filming for one of the first Paramount+ dramas to be commissioned in the UK.
"Our city is a consistently appealing choice for producers seeking urban settings to double for other major cities like London. Productions like The Flatshare can build key sets at The Bottle Yard whilst accessing bespoke support from the Film Office to find the right locations to suit the storyline.
"Getting around Bristol is also quicker and less costly compared to other cities, particularly the capital.”
Bristol locations used for The Flatshare included: Leonard Lane and Corn Street in the Old City, residential properties on Deanery Road and Victoria Square in Clifton, offices at the Paintworks development on Bath Road and The Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel.
Other places featured were: Chandos Road Costcutter in Redland, The Old Fish Market Tavern on Baldwin Street, Averys Wine Cellar on Culver Street, The Cocktail Club on Corn Street, Boca Bar Finzel’s Reach, Jamaica Street Stores in Stokes Croft and Al Fresco Cucina Italiana in Westbury on Trym. Other locations featured included The Penny Brohn Centre in Pill and Shepton Mallet Prison.
Rose Lewenstein, known for Culprits and On the Edge, is lead writer and executive producer on the series, with Peter Cattaneo, known for The A Word, Rev, The Full Monty, as lead director and executive producer. The team of writers are Sarah Simmonds, best known for Killing Eve and The Irregulars, Ryan Calais Cameron, known for Typical, and Alex Straker, known for The Last Kingdom. Chloë Wicks, best known for On the Edge, directed block two.
Executive producers for 42 are Miriam Brent, Eleanor Moran and Rory Aitken. Rhonda Smith, known for The Girl Before and The English Game, is producer.
The Flatshare is available to stream now on Paramount+
Have you watched The Flatshare? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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