Cadbury drama turns town into Victorian Birmingham

1 hour ago

Ethan Saundersin Stafford

News image — Parts of Stafford town centre have been transformed into Victorian Birmingham for filming of The Cadburys

BBC A street that has people, props and vehicles scattered across it. — Parts of Stafford town centre have been transformed into Victorian Birmingham for filming of The Cadburys

Chocolate giant Cadbury's origins are being brought to the screen in a new TV drama that has turned part of a Midlands town into Victorian Birmingham.

The Cadburys follows brothers Richard and George Cadbury as they try to rescue their family's failing cocoa business before creating one of the world's best-known confectionery brands.

The six-part series stars Toby Regbo as Richard, Harry Gilby as George and Jessica Barden as their sister Maria.

Martin Street and St Martins Place in Stafford have been transformed for filming, with production crews using the town's historic streets to recreate scenes from 1860s Birmingham.

Hannah Farrell, of production company Fable Pictures, said she was "thrilled" with the location and described Stafford as "somewhat of a hidden gem".

"It has so much potential and we feel privileged to be able to showcase the historical town onscreen," she added.

A man with short grey hair, he is looking at the camera smiling with glasses on his head. — Keith Harrison said Stafford's Victorian architecture made it an ideal location for filming

The drama, inspired by Deborah Cadbury's book Chocolate Wars, tells the story of how the Cadbury family sought to turn around their struggling cocoa business in Bournville, Birmingham.

Producers say it will reflect rivalries, family relationships and ambition helping shape the company that would become a household name.

Two men on ladders changing signs to have the original Harrods signs. — The six-part drama follows brothers Richard and George Cadbury as they try to save the family's cocoa business

Keith Harrison, from Stafford's Gatehouse Theatre, said about 100 extras were expected to use the venue during filming.

"I think it's a great location for any sort of filming," he said.

"Particularly something from a Victorian era because we've got the buildings, the settings for it.

"It doesn't need that much turning around really to turn it into something authentic."

Various bits of production equipment, set up and barriered off around the street. — Historic Stafford streets are standing in for 1860s Birmingham during filming

He said the production could help raise Stafford's profile and encourage more filmmakers to use the area.

"It's a beautiful town and the more we can spread that out, it will help tourism, it will help business, it will help the economy in Stafford."

Staffordshire County Council leader Martin Murray said it was "amazing" to welcome the production to the town and it could boost its profile as well as bring jobs to the area.

The Cadburys is being produced by Fable Pictures for streaming service U and will also be available on BritBox in the US. The series is due to launch in 2027.

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