A SPECIAL premiere of the second series of hit drama Gentleman Jack took place tonight at Halifax's iconic Piece Hall.

Hundreds of fans turned out to see stars from the series attend a special screening at Square Chapel Arts Centre in Halifax.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The show’s creator Sally Wainwright, BAFTA award-winning Suranne Jones, and Gemma Whelan,who plays Marian Lister, were among the cast who walked the red carpet at the Piece Hall.

Suranne Jones returns as regency landowner and trailblazer Anne Lister for the second series of the show, which is set in Halifax during 1834. Parts of it were filmed in Bradford, including in Saltaire and on the Haworth Moors.

The show is based on the collected diaries of Anne Lister which were part-written in cryptic code and document all aspects of her private and public life, including her romantic relationship with Ann Walker, played by Sophie Rundle.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

“For too long Anne Lister has been Halifax’s best kept secret and I’m thrilled that Gentleman Jack has helped her finally get the global recognition she deserves," said Sally Wainwright.

“It’s wonderful that we’re able to show fans the next part of her story in the heart of this town which was so important to her.”

She added: "I'm really pleased, really excited that so many people have come to Anne Lister because of our efforts, that we've made a show about this extraordinary woman, people all over the world now realise how extraordinary she is."

And she said filming on location, where the real story unfolded, was "magical". 

"Several times, when we've been filming in Shibden Hall, Suranne was saying 'I can't believe I'm walking through her house, dressed as her, saying things we know she said'.

"It's really magical."

“Anne Lister was such a remarkable person and being able to shoot the series in Halifax and Calderdale where she created such a stir all those years ago has been so inspiring as an actor," said Suranne Jones.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

“The area has played an important role in my life since the first series of Gentleman Jack aired.”

Filmed in and around West Yorkshire, series one followed Anne Lister's life as she inherited her uncle's fading estate, Shibden Hall in Halifax, which she attempted to restore while beginning a romance with Ann Walker.

Series two picks up just four weeks after series one ended with all eyes on Anne Lister and Ann Walker as they set up home together at Shibden Hall as wife and wife, determined to combine their estates and become a power couple.

The second series will begin on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, April 10 at 9pm.