‘Ripper Street’, an eight-part series for the BBC based on the Jack The Ripper murders, has begun filming in various locations around Dublin. Created by Richard Warlow (Waking the Dead) and starring Matthew Macfadyen (Pride and Prejudice, Frost/Nixon), Jerome Flynn (Game of Thrones) and Adam Rothenberg (House), ‘Ripper Street’ is currently using a Dublin army barracks and the area in and around Dublin Castle to re-create London's East End in 1889.
Filming began on March 12 and is scheduled to run for 19 weeks in total. A wide and varied Irish crew have been employed to work on the series with production designer Mark Geraghty (In America, Death Of A Superhero, Leap Year) among the leading local crew members.
Irish production company Element Pictures are co-producing the series with Tiger Aspect Productions and Lookout Point. BBC America also joined the production last week and plan to launch ‘Ripper Street’ in America as part of their Dramaville series this Autumn.
With a budget of €8million, the series is also being made with the participation of the Irish Film Board. BBC Worldwide is distributing the series globally.
Speaking to IFTN, a spokesman for Tiger Aspect noted that Dublin’s location and the talented crew, as well as the support of section 481 and the Irish Film Board, were key aspects in bringing the production to Ireland.
They said: “The support of section 481 and the Irish Film Board was crucial in making our decision to shoot Ripper Street in Ireland but the brilliant locations that Dublin offers up and high end crew talent were key factors when it came to making an informed decision.”
James Hickey, chief executive, of the Irish Film Board said: “We are delighted that Ripper Street is filming on location in Ireland. We very much welcome the opportunity this major drama series will give to Irish talent both in front of and behind the camera.”
‘Ripper Street’ is set in and around Whitechapel in London's East End in 1889, during the aftermath of the Jack The Ripper murders. The action centres on the notorious H Division, which is charged with keeping order in the chaotic streets of East London.
Jerome Flynn has been cast as detective sergeant Bennet Drake, Macfadyen as detective inspector Edmund Reid, and Adam Rothenberg as Captain Homer Jackson
The series was commissioned by BBC head of Drama, Ben Stephenson and BBC One controller Danny Cohen.
