A STATELY home in our area has been used to film the latest series of the TV show the Duchess of Sussex is rumoured to be joining.
Badminton House appears again as the fictional Halstead Manor in Netflix’s hit programme The Gentlemen, which returned for its second season on Thursday, September 3.
The show hit the headlines in recent weeks amid reports Meghan is in talks to make her return to acting in its third series.
However, Theo James, who plays the lead role of Eddie Horniman in the programme, has said recently it would be ‘impossible’ for the Duchess of Sussex to join the third series.
Created by Guy Ritchie, The Gentlemen follows aristocrat Eddie as he navigates the unexpected inheritance of an estate at the centre of a criminal empire.
Following the success of the first season, the Badminton Estate was again selected as a key filming location.
Filming took place at Badminton House, St Michael and All Angels Church and across the estate last summer.
The production brought an array of specialist vehicles and equipment to the estate, including a fleet of luxury sports cars and a helicopter.
Badminton Estate’s red deer herd also makes an appearance in the new season.
The estate has featured in a number of major productions in recent years, including Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and Agatha Christie's Seven Dials.
Katie Harris, head of events at the Badminton Estate, said: “We were delighted to welcome the production team back to Badminton for a second season of The Gentlemen.
“It’s always exciting to see the estate transformed for film, and we’re proud audiences will once again see not only Badminton House on screen, but even some of our own staff.
“Productions such as this help showcase both the estate and the wider region to a global audience while supporting local businesses and tourism.”
While Badminton House remains a private family home, members of the public have the opportunity to visit the estate's private gardens at the Late Summer Open Garden Day on Sunday, September 6.
The final Open Garden Day of the year will give visitors the chance to explore the gardens, which are only open to the public on selected dates each year.
Fans of The Gentlemen will be able to spot several of the exterior locations featured in the series and discover more about the estate’s role in bringing the production to life.
Former Suits actress the Duchess of Sussex has reportedly had preliminary conversations about a potential role in the show, which would mark her first significant acting gig since she married the Duke of Sussex in 2018.
In an interview with the Press Association at The Gentlemen’s season two premiere, Mr James addressed the possibility of a royal co-star.
“I think it’s spurious rumours,” he said.
The actor, known for starring in the Divergent film trilogy, added: “I think she’d fit in well because she’s actually from part of the royal family.
“But no, I think the practicalities of that are impossible.”
Other stars to comment on the speculation include award-winning actor Ray Winstone, who portrays the formidable head of Eddie’s cannabis empire, Robert ‘Bobby’ Glass.
“I don’t even know if I’m doing [the third season],” he joked.
Actor and presenter Vinnie Jones, who plays Geoff Seacombe in the show, called the rumours ‘hot air’, while Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville described it as ‘genius marketing’.
Mr Bonneville, who is joining the cast as aristocrat Lord Hawthorne, said: “I think it’s a genius piece of marketing by whoever just dreamt up that idea.
“I suggested Nigel Farage - I think that’s a great run-up.
“That would be very good.”
The Gentlemen is a spin-off from Mr Ritchie’s blockbuster of the same name.
Stars such as Maya Jama are among those joining the line-up in the second series.
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