Having heard that one of my favourite shows was due to be filmed in York, I naturally made a (very necessary) detour into town to see what was going on.
The Minster is due to be shut to visitors for the rest of the week due to filming. It will, however, be open as usual for services at 7:30 and 7:50 am, and for evening prayer at 17:30pm.
Much to my disappointment, I did not get to see any filming in action today. I will be returning later in the week to make sure I do!
Filming is due to continue all day Wednesday and Thursday with everything being packed up on Friday. From this, I think it’s clear that if you want to be in the background of a shot get down to the Minster ASAP.
The scenes will be shot both inside and outside of the Minster. Like the Minster, Dean’s Park is closed to visitors to allow production to take place. This did not stop the general public from getting as close as possible to see what was going on. (I mean who can blame them!). The crew seemed very used to this and paid little attention to the swarms of people holding their phones up at the equipment.
I may have missed the filming but watching all the cameras and lights being set up was just as fascinating.
Many large trucks were parked next to and nearby the Minster and Dean’s Park. The camera equipment, tapes and lights are laid out on tables around the Minster and large lightening rigs on cranes are placed in front of the stained glass windows.
Season six of The Crown stars Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Dominic West as Prince Charles, Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Olivia Williams as Camilla, Ed McVey as Prince William and Meg Bellamy as Kate.
According to YorkMix, York Minster is standing in for another location. But rest assured they remain certain that the Minster will be spottable. All I can say is when I do spot it I will be letting everyone know that I was there while it was being filmed.
But what is the Minster standing in for? At York Vision we have our own theories on what scenes might be being filmed… and we’d love to hear yours!
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- The death and funeral of Princess Diana
- The Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s Golden Wedding anniversary
- The death of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret
- The Queen’s Golden Jubilee
- Prince Charles and Camilla’s marriage
Do you think it could be one of these? And which one would you most prefer?
Either way, I’ll be hovering around York Minster all week so I hope to see you there too!