‘Belgravia’ begins filming second season – but with some BIG changes!
Production has started on another season of Belgravia.
Based on the bestselling 2016 novel by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, the TV period drama launched three years ago.
Belgravia aired on ITV in the UK in March 2020, before arriving in the US on EPIX shortly afterwards.
Set in London in the 1840s, the six-part mini-series boasted an brilliant line-up of British actors, including Tamsin Greig (Episodes), Philip Glenister (Life on Mars), Harriet Walter (Downton Abbey), and Tom Wilkinson (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel).
There had been talk of a potential second season at the time, but writer Julian Fellowes wasn’t unsure if it was needed.
He explained in 2020: “For me, this is a completed story…”
The Oscar-winning screenwriter was open to the idea, however, adding: “…whenever I say this to any of the actors, they disagree with me violently, so I’m not sure we know the definitive answer to that, really.”
To be honest, we really weren’t expecting this to happen, but very excitingly it’s now been confirmed that another season of Belgravia is indeed pressing ahead!
Fellowes will be stepping down as lead writer though, while he’s busy with the next season of HBO’s The Gilded Age.
Taking over on Belgravia script-writing duties is award-winning playwright Helen Edmundson, although Fellowes will still be involved as an executive producer.
Edmundson’s best known television work includes writing the first two seasons of Dalgliesh, as well as episodes of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.
This isn’t the only big change for Season 2!
When’s it set?
Belgravia: The Next Chapter, as it’s to be titled, will pick up the story in 1871, three decades after the final events of the original series.
This of course means that we will be seeing an entirely new cast when the show returns!
If you need a catch-up, the entire first season of Belgravia is now streaming on MGM+ and you can watch it free with a 7-day trial here!
Filming is now underway on Belgravia: The Next Chapter in England.
When’s the release date?
The series is expected to premiere this winter on MGM+ in the US, and on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX in the UK.
Head of MGM+ Michael Wright commented: “With its cinematic scope, emotionally engaging story, and brilliant production design that brings the time period to life, Belgravia: The Next Chapter is an immersive story that will keep viewers riveted.”
He added: “We can’t wait to see what Julian, Helen Edmundson, and Carnival have in store for our audience.”
What’s the story this time?
Deadline reports that the 8 hour-long episodes will tell “the love story of Frederick Trenchard, who has grown up as the third Lord Trenchard, and his new love interest, Clara Dunn, who is a newcomer to London society.”
Their synopsis continue: “Unaware that his birth was the product of an affair between his mother Susan and the scoundrel John Bellasis, a troubled childhood has left Frederick deeply insecure, which challenges his courtship of and marriage to Clara.”
Belgravia is available to watch on MGM+.