One of the first dramas to be commissioned in the UK by international studio Paramount+ started its TV run this week after being filmed almost entirely in Bristol.
Locations around the city were used in The Flatshare to substitute for London and Brighton while interior sets for the flat where the majority of filming took place were built at city’s Bottle Yard Studios. 
The six-part original series, described as a romantic comedy with a twist, was produced by 42 (The Girl Before, The English Game) in association with the international studio division of Paramount Global.
Adapted from Beth O’Leary’s global bestseller and starring Jessica Brown Findlay (Brave New World, Harlots) and Anthony Welsh (Pure, Master of None), both pictured during filming at The Bottle Yard Studios, The Flatshare is the latest in a long line of TV dramas to be made in Bristol over the past two years.
An estimated £20.8m was generated by Bristol’s TV production industry in 2021-22 – a 22% increase on pre-pandemic figures and the largest contribution that filming-related activity has made towards the city’s economy in a decade.
Filming in the city was up by 10%, with 1,067 filming days in the city at the Bristol City Council-owned Bottle Yard Studios – where three new sound stages have recently opened – and/or on location assisted by Bristol Film Office, a council department that provides free support to productions working in the city. 
Among productions filmed in the city were Am I Being Unreasonable?, The Outlaws, Chloe, Showtrial and The Girl Before.
The Flatshare producer Rhonda Smith said: “After a positive experience shooting The Girl Before at The Bottle Yard Studios, it was an easy decision to return there when looking for a build space for The Flatshare.
“Once again, both The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office helped facilitate the running of a smooth shoot.”
Bristol City Council senior film manager Laura Aviles added: “It’s a ringing endorsement that Bristol has hosted the majority of filming for one of the first Paramount+ dramas to be commissioned in the UK.
“Our city is a consistently appealing choice for producers seeking urban settings to double for other major cities like London. 
“Productions like The Flatshare can build key sets at The Bottle Yard while accessing bespoke support from the Film Office to find the right locations to suit the storyline.
“Getting around Bristol is also quicker and less costly compared to other cities, particularly the capital.”
Bristol locations used for The Flatshare included Leonard Lane and Corn Street in the Old City, residential properties on Deanery Road and Victoria Square in Clifton, offices at the Paintworks development on Bath Road, The Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, Chandos Road Costcutter in Redland, The Old Fish Market Tavern on Baldwin Street, Averys Wine Cellar on Culver Street, The Cocktail Club on Corn Street, Boca Bar at Finzels Reach, Jamaica Street Stores in Stokes Croft and Al Fresco Cucina Italiana in Westbury on Trym. Other locations featured included The Penny Brohn Centre in Pill and Shepton Mallet Prison.
All images courtesy of Paramount+
