Organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show can reveal that the Showground in Harrogate features in the highly anticipated third Downton Abbey movie.
Hundreds of cast, crew and extras were based on the Showground where filming took place for some scenes in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
The film was released globally with a cast that includes Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley) and Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley).
Actor Jim Carter who plays Mr Carson told ITV This Morning that he was born in Harrogate and even learned to ride his bike at the Showground.
Scenes shot at the Showground were based on the Yorkshire County Show, set in 1930, using both permanent and temporary structures on site.
The collecting ring used by riders warming up to compete at the Great Yorkshire Show, was also used as part of the film.
The Showground’s events team who manage the venues and outdoor space throughout the year as The Great Yorkshire Events Centre, worked with the production crew to ensure it was seamless.
Allister Nixon CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a registered charity which owns the Showground said: “Our events team from the Great Yorkshire Events Centre had multiple meetings with producers to ensure we found the right location for them including access to power and co-ordinating hire of structures and signage as well as areas to store props and equipment, catering and dressing room trailers.
“Our events team here are used to dealing with film and TV crews who hire our indoor and outdoor spaces and it was a real privilege for us to host such a prestigious production.
“We are proud to be flexible and diverse to meet the requirements of film crews whether it’s within our buildings and event spaces or at any part of our 250 acre grounds. We very much look forward to seeing the film!”
All profits raised from space hired or events held on the Showground which operates the Great Yorkshire Events Centre throughout the year, goes back to the registered charity YAS to support the farming industry.
Synopsis: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawley’s must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.
Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Paul Giamatti, Penelope Wilton, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Harry Hadden-Pato, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Robert James-Collier, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Raquel Cassidy, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Dominic West, Arty Froushan, Joely Richardson, Douglas Reith
Directed by: Simon Curtis
Screenplay by: Downton creator and Academy-Award® winner Julian Fellowes
Producers: Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes, Liz Trubridge
Executive Producers: Nigel Marchant
Credit: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in cinemas 12 September
