York Minster transforms into set for TV drama

The cast of Patience return to York to film scenes for the drama's second series

Filming has begun in York for a second series of TV crime drama Patience.

The first series of the programme, which follows autistic police archivist Patience Evans, aired earlier this year on Channel 4 to an average of 4.2m viewers.

Last week, the cast arrived to film scenes in and around York's landmarks, including the Minster and the Shambles.

New addition to the cast Jessica Hynes said the cathedral would serve as the set for a "very clever plot twist" in the show.

The BAFTA award winner, known for her roles in The Royle Family, Spaced and W1A, is set to play Det Insp Frankie Monroe, who has transferred to City of York Police suddenly from Salford.

Hynes said: "She arrives and she's quite direct and forthright and strong.

"She doesn't know this gang so she's figuring them out, they're figuring her out.

"She's very into doing things by the book, which is why she's not sure about Patience."

The cast of Patience filmed scenes inside York Minster on Friday

On Friday, the actors were shooting scenes in the minster, out of the hot sun.

The organ was moved to the centre of the cathedral for a scene, according to the cast.

Giving a hint as to what viewers could expect, Hynes said: "It's centred around the music in the cathedral - I think we can say that much.

"It's a really clever plot twist, when we're finally figuring out how the murder happened."

The cast agreed they were thrilled to be back in York, where they have received a warm welcome.

Ella Maisy Purvis, who is reprising her role as Patience, said: "There's a lot of shots where I need to walk and stare and take things in and there's no acting required.

"It's nice as an actor when you're in these iconic York locations, you are part of York Police."

Filming in York came with some challenges, however.

Nathan Welsh, who plays Det Sgt Jake Hunter, said: "It's just quite busy. A lot of people are here so I think the only issue is having to stop people walking down the road when we're walking down it.

"We've let a few people down today because we were in the Minster and a lot of people turned up thinking they could go in there."

Executive producer Alison Kee added there were crowds of people who wanted to flock towards the cameras and stars.

"Everyone has been so respectful and lovely about the show that it's been fine actually," she said.

"It's almost like a ready-made film set, there's so many places we can choose to go and our stories fit in really well.

"Patience has twisty crimes and the twisty alleyways of York really epitomise that."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.