HBO’s Watchmen, which filmed key sequences at Penrhyn Castle in Bangor, will be released later this year. The American drama television series is based on the comic book limited series of the same name created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
Damon Lindelof’s new series is set in an alternate history where ‘superheroes’ are treated as outlaws. And while Lindelof plans to embrace the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel, the series will also attempt to break new ground of its own.
Filming took place at Penrhyn Castle for a month last September and saw the house and gardens transformed into a ‘major film set’ for the first time.
HBO confirmed last year that Jeremy Irons had been recruited for a lead role in pilot episode. The English born actor always turns in a memorable performance, and this isn’t his first superhero-related role. He has previously appeared as Batman’s loyal butler Alfred in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.
The National Trust described the filming at as “an amazing opportunity for Penrhyn Castle and Garden to play its part in an exciting and new experience, and to highlight our places and work to a worldwide audience. Another important benefit is that during the period of filming the local economy received a boost from the contribution made by the location crew.”
Who will I recognize?
Jeremy Irons joins a Watchmen cast that includes Hong Chau (HBO’s Big Little Lies and Treme) Regina King (The Leftovers); Golden Globe-winner Don Johnson (Miami Vice); Emmy-winner Jean Smart (Fraiser and Samantha Who?) as an FBI agent investigating a murder; Tom Mison (Sleepy Hollow); Frances Fisher (Titanic); Jacob Ming-Trent (Superfly); Tim Blake Nelson (Lincoln, HBO’s Warm Springs); Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman); Andrew Howard (The Brave, Boardwalk Empire); Yahya Abdul-Matteen II (First Match), Sara Vickers (Endeavor); James Wolk (Tell Me a Story) and Dustin Ingram (True Blood).
Photo: HBO
