The National Trust home transformed for Peaky Blinders movie

"We are used to Calke Abbey telling the story of the decline of the country house but it looked even more seemingly abandoned for the film."

Caroline Taylor, visitor operations manager at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire said the filming of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which was released in cinemas on Friday, transformed the stately home into a "different world".

Cast and crew of the production were welcomed to the National Trust property in November and December 2024 - the first-ever drama that has been filmed there.

Managers of the abbey said the income the filming generated was vital and they hoped it would attract more visitors.

Taylor said: "The way they transformed these spaces was incredible. It was busy.

"It is not just the crew and the cast that are doing the filming, but it is all the other behind the scenes stuff - make-up, hair, costumes, catering - it was a whole enterprise in itself so it was a real hub of activity."

She said more than 1,300 objects needed to be packed away and artificial snow had to be used in the grounds at one point.

The film is set in 1940 and focuses on gang boss Tommy Shelby during the Birmingham Blitz in World War Two.

Taylor said the cast, which also includes Rebecca Ferguson and Packy Lee, were "very focused" during the filming and as they were keen to stay in character staff did not get chance to socialise with them.

The stately home remained open to visitors when the film crew were there but staff were not allowed to reveal what was being filmed.

The stately home's general manager Stuart Alcock said his staff were looking forward to watching the film.

"We are just fit to burst in terms of really wanting to see the full movie," he said.

Alcock said the filming was "critically important" for finances.

"The National Trust is a charity and cares for Calke and is reliant on raising the funds to do that.

"It is extremely expensive looking after these places so having the filming not only introduces some income from film fees but actually it shares this place with so many more people - who hopefully come and visit," he added.

The film will be in cinemas for two weeks and then stream on Netflix from 20 March.

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