FILMING has begun on a new TV period drama about ‘the biggest fraud in British history’.

The Gallows Pole, written and directed by Bafta-winning Shane Meadows, stars Bradford actress Sophie McShera, who was in Downton Abbey. And Idle teenager Luke Ayres is a supporting artist in the six-part series, currently filming in Halifax.

Produced by A24 and Element Pictures, with the BBC, The Gallows Pole is the first period drama from Shane Meadows, whose work include cult film This Is England and the three TV sequels. Based on the novel by Benjamin Myers, The Gallows Pole fictionalises the remarkable true story of David Hartley and the Cragg Vale Coiners. Set against the coming industrial revolution in 18th century Yorkshire, the compelling drama follows the enigmatic Hartley, played by This is England star Michael Socha, as he assembles a gang of weavers and landworkers to embark upon a revolutionary criminal enterprise that will capsize the economy and become the biggest fraud in British history.

The cast includes former St Joseph's College pupil Sophie McShera, who played kitchen maid Daisy in every series of global hit Downton Abbey, and the 2019 film; Thomas Turgoose, who shot to fame as a youngster in This is England; and George MacKay, who starred in Oscar-nominated First World War film 1917 and Captain Fantastic.

Luke Ayres, 15, a pupil at Immanuel College in Thackley, is a talented young actor, DJ and music producer, whose electronic dance tracks have a big online following. Last year the T&A reported that Luke's tracks have drawn the attention of thousands of music fans, including tech house star Endor and house music specialists Defected Records.

Luke has been acting since he was six. His first job was on CBeebies’ Show me Show me and he has also appeared in TV commercials, and auditioned for the lead role in the film Jojo Rabbit, starring Scarlett Johansson.

Shane Meadows said of The Gallows Pole: “Putting this cast together, with the undying support of (casting director) Shaheen Baig and her amazing team, has been an absolute joy. To be working with actors I’ve grown up with and/or have been desperate to work with, alongside oodles of incredible ‘as yet’ undiscovered (Yorkshire based) talent, is an absolute honour. I’ve not been this passionate about shooting a project in years!

“After some initial rehearsals back in spring, me and the team went on an ‘open casting’ odyssey, watching over 6,500 self-tapes from unrepresented actors and actresses and were blown away by the quality of tapes submitted. We went from hoping to find one or two new faces to making up half the entire cast from those tapes. I believe it’s going to create a series quite unlike anything else I’ve ever worked on.

“This is the 18th century but viewed through a slightly more anarchic lens and will have a soundtrack that fits the mood like a psychedelic glove, rather than historical expectations.”

Piers Wenger, director of BBC Drama, added, “Shane’s talent for spotting and working with the newest, most authentic talent is second to none and will play a key role in setting this drama apart.”

Element Pictures added: “Working with the BBC and A24 on Shane Meadows’ first period drama is incredibly exciting. Shane’s unique take on the story combined with the stunning cast he's assembled will make for an unforgettable series.”