WIREDGOV

Wales’ profile as a first class location for high end TV production is set to get a further boost when ATLANTIS – BBC’s highly anticipated new Saturday prime time fantasy drama – launches soon.

Filmed primarily in Wales and supported by the Welsh Government which helped secure the new international BBC blockbuster series for Wales, it has already resulted in substantial investment with an estimated up to 100 Wales based freelance workers engaged on the project.

The production, made for BBC Cymru Wales by Urban Myth Films, began shooting in April and will be broadcast on Saturday night primetime BBC ONE and BBC HD. ATLANTIS, which will be sold world-wide, takes viewers on a journey through the vast store of Greek myths and legends, a treasure trove of extraordinary tales re-imagined for a new generation.

 
Economy Minister Edwina Hart described it as another feather in the cap for the Welsh creative industries sector. Mrs Hart said:

“This follows hot on the heels of two other Welsh Government supported projects, Da Vinci’s Demons and Hinterland, both of which are produced in Wales and selling worldwide. Attracting high-end drama is a key part of our strategy to develop the creative industries sector in Wales and I am delighted ATLANTIS is being filmed here.

“It sends out a strong signal that in Wales we have the talent, the skills and the resources to support the very best in TV and film production. It will help raise the profile of Wales as a location of choice for high end drama production and the Welsh Government is pleased to have supported the first series.”

Urban Myth Films converted an industrial unit near Chepstow into a large studio space with two green screen stages where interior and exterior sequences are being filmed and then enhanced by CGI.
The Minister added it was a team effort to ensure the production was able to set up in Wales, with Monmouthshire County Council ensuring all relevant planning conditions were in place to meet deadlines.

Councillor Bob Greenland, Cabinet member for Enterprise at Monmouthshire County Council said:

“This is just the sort of development we have been aiming for in Monmouthshire. Through our business development arm, Monmouthshire Enterprise, and with the co-operation of the local planning authority, we worked with the Welsh Government to secure this exciting opportunity with new job prospects and associated spend in the county.  I hope that it is the beginning of a long and successful venture.”

Sara Hamill, Head of Production at Urban Myth Films and part of the team behind the hugely successful BBC series, Merlin, said:

“We are delighted to be back in Wales. We have been working with BBC Wales for the last five years so have first hand experience of the available talent here.

“We also enjoy working with newcomers to the industry. During Merlin we employed local people with no previous television experience, trained them and gave them the experience and skills to take on more senior and challenging roles within the team.  In the same way we are developing new young talent through ATLANTIS.”