Evangelism and Missions

Poldark season 2: BBC’s hit drama filmed at iconic church

Aidan Turner stars as Ross Poldark.

The oldest Methodist building in the world features in the new series of Poldark, which returns to BBC1 on September 4.

The hit drama starring Aidan Turner is set in 18th century Cornwall and producers used Bristol's New Room for the courtroom scenes.

Ross Poldark, played by Turner, goes on trial accused of murder, wrecking and inciting a riot. Series one, screened last year, ended on a dramatic cliffhanger when he was arrested (actually on the Cornish cliffs) by soldiers. The chapel is expected to feature in the first episodes of the series as Ross is brought to trial.

Top secret filming took place at the period chapel in October 2015. The building was transformed into a courtroom by production company Mammoth Screen, whose workers had to completely hide all modern fittings before filming could go ahead. This meant removing electric lights, covering radiators and removing all modern signs.

Filming part of Poldark's second series in the chapel.

The chapel was then transformed into a courtroom complete with dock, tables for the prosecution and the defence, with the pulpit taking the role of the judge's seat.

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Stars including Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson (Demelza) and Kyle Soller (Francis) all featured in the dramatic courtroom scenes, as well as Heida Reed (Elizabeth), Phil Davis (Jud) and Beatie Edney (Prudie).

New characters in Series two Unwin Trevaunance, played by W1A's Hugh Skinner, and Caroline Penvenen, played by Gabriella Wilde, also feature in the scenes.

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Manager of the New Room, David Worthington, said: "Poldark is set in the 18th century so even though we are in Bristol rather than in Cornwall, the building fitted perfectly as the location for Ross's trial.

"All the staff enjoyed meeting the cast and crew and we hope that everyone will enjoy seeing the New Room on screen, especially in such dramatic scenes."

The 'Methodies' of Cornwall are often referenced in the Poldark books by Winston Graham. Founder of the New Room, John Wesley, visited Cornwall 32 times between 1743 to 1787 and preached the gospel many times, often to miners, fishermen and their families.

Initially Wesleyan Methodism flourished in Cornwall, but in 1815 a distinctively south-west kind of Methodism emerged, the Bible Christians. When the mining trade in Cornwall collapsed, many miners emigrated taking their skills, Methodism and Cornish pasties to mines worldwide, but especially Australia and Canada.

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