BODYGUARD actor Richard Madden was spotted in Basing View today believed to be there filming a new action spy series for Amazon Prime.
As previously reported, a film crew descended on Basing View last night with lorries, trailers, flood-lights and catering facilities packed into Lower Basing View Public Car Park, and security guards patrolling the site.
It is thought they are there to shoot new Amazon Prime series Citadel starring Madden and Priyanka Chopra.
The pair were also seen filming action-packed mid-air stunts in nearby Farnham earlier this month, while in Oxford Madden was photographed wearing a firefighters uniform alongside co-star Ashleigh Cummings.
📸 Richard Madden and Ashleigh Cummings on set of #Citadel! pic.twitter.com/0xfzO3LkLc
— Richard Madden Media (@rmaddenmedia) March 18, 2021
#INFOSOS
— SoundsOfSeries (@SoundsOfSeries) March 18, 2021
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden on the set of Citadel. pic.twitter.com/FrdlvHubh1
A member of the public said she saw 34-year-old Madden walking past Mountbatten House, which is being used as the set, and took a photograph of him where he can be seen with a mask on and wearing an all-black tracksuit with a white stripe down the sides and trainers.
Spotlights have been set up outside Mountbatten House, which is one of Basingstoke’s most iconic buildings, and a mobile testing unit was parked on the road.
Also known as the ‘Hanging Gardens of Basingstoke’ the five-storey Grade II-listed building was sold for £2million in 2019 to Squarestone Growth.
The borough council owns the land the building sits on.
Sian Crouch, who works next-door to Mountbatten House in Hartley’s Kitchen, said contractors had been on site for several weeks building the set.
She told the Gazette: “It’s been really busy since they arrived but they are all really nice and friendly. They come over here for breakfast.”
Sian said she hadn’t yet spotted any of the famous actors and said those working on the production had refused to say what was being filmed.
“Everyone is talking about it,” she said, adding: “People are coming down to have a nose because it’s quite exciting for Basingstoke.
“The contractors have been here for a few weeks building the set so we knew there was filming going on. It all seems to be downstairs in the building. I think they are also doing filming at night as there are big lights outside.”
A security guard told the Gazette that the crew is expected to be on site for three to five days, while a sign at the entrance to the council car park says it will be closed from March 25 to March 31.
The plot details of the series are being kept under wraps but it is described as an ‘action-packed spy series with a compelling emotional centre’.
Have you spotted any of the actors in the town? Email Emily.roberts@newsquest.co.uk.
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