Northern Ireland

Irish News offices transformed into 1970s train station for Channel 5 drama Dalgliesh

The Irish News building and Union Street are transformed to the 1970s era for the news series of Dalgliesh. Picture by Hugh Russell.
The Irish News building and Union Street are transformed to the 1970s era for the news series of Dalgliesh. Picture by Hugh Russell. The Irish News building and Union Street are transformed to the 1970s era for the news series of Dalgliesh. Picture by Hugh Russell.

THE Irish News building has been transformed into a 1970s English `train station' for a new detective drama.

The Edwardian listed building on Donegall Street was yesterday at the centre of an outdoor shoot for the new joint UK/US Channel 5 production Dalgliesh.

It is the latest adaptation of the books of best-selling author P D James and their hero, the eponymous Inspector Adam Dalgliesh.

Starring actor Bertie Carvel, whose credits include, `Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell', `Agatha Christie’s The Pale Horse' and cult hit `Doctor Foster', they are based on three of the late author's books.

Starting in the mid 1970s England, the crime series follows Dalgliesh's career to present day as he solves unusual murders and reveals buried secrets in three two-part 60-minute films.

The newspaper offices are among a number of shops in the area given a new look in keeping with the period featured in the episode.

A nearby bar has been temporarily reimagined as a teashop and a market with flower, fruit and veg and bric-a-brac stalls and classic cars and London bus from the era on the street.

Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street being shot in Union Street. Picture by Hugh Russell
Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street being shot in Union Street. Picture by Hugh Russell Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street being shot in Union Street. Picture by Hugh Russell

The producer told the Irish News that their "building has become a London train station, where a key character waits for the man she loves.

"Art department have cleverly made it work by using some signs and a vintage Evening Standard stand.

"We are using the street opposite the building (Union Street) to be an Edgware Road locale, and a cafe.

"(It is) all set in 1975."

Production is happening around the north after Northern Ireland Screen provided some of the funding for the show.

Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare will also be featured in the drama for scenes involving two characters walking under the bridge and along the river's edge.

It has been altered with the removal of wooden planters and bin, sections of metal fencing and floral murals under the bridge have been painted over.

`Dalgliesh' has been jointly commissioned by Acorn Media Enterprises and all3media international from leading production company New Pictures.

It is behind critically-acclaimed hit dramas `Des', `The Missing' and Indian Summers.

Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell. Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.

The production has promised each murder mystery will offer "its own unique setting... and feature beautiful locations" and the result "will be event television crime drama".

The lead writer is acclaimed screenwriter and playwright Helen Edmundson who wrote 2018 film Mary Magdalene and is directed by BAFTA nominated film and television director Jill Robertson who has worked on `Humans' and `Grantchester'.

This will be the third incarnation of the detective, with the original, starring Roy Marsden, adapted by Anglia Television for ITV network before the BBC took over the series in 2003 with Martin Shaw in the lead role.

Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell. Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.

The latest version was due to be broadcast in 2021, but with production due to start in December but delayed by the winter lockdown, there is no firm date, although it is expected to be later this year or 2022.

Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell. Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell. Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell. Dalgliesh TV series takes Union Street and the Irish News back to the 70s. Picture by Hugh Russell.