The 'mystical' atmosphere on the Isle of Wight, its ‘beautiful' nature and ‘friendly’ Islanders all contributed to making the up and coming Brit Box drama The Beast Must Die.
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Isle of Wight Radio has been speaking exclusively to the director of the series, which tells a story about a woman taking justice and revenge into her own hands for her son’s death.
Dome Karuski had never been to the Isle of Wight before but said it was a “wonderful” experience living here for around five months last year to film the drama.
He told Isle of Wight Radio:
“Of course the nature is beautiful, it was very easy to get around and talk to people, people were very friendly, everything worked, life was nice and quiet you could say. I think it helped the production because the distance was very small. I hope the landscape and atmosphere of the Island we have managed to capture.”
The series features Bafta-winner and Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor Jared Harris (Chernobyl, The Crown, Mad Men).
He is joined by Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Deadwater Fell), Billy Howle (MotherFatherSon, Witness For The Prosecution, On Chesil Beach) and Nathaniel Parker (The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Vanity Fair).
Asked where his favourite location to film was, Dome said:
“That’s a difficult one, there was a beautiful gorge in the West Wight area. I forgot the name of it but it was something we just found. We just walked basically into it and I thought wow this is beautiful and unique.
“I do think Ryde seafront is intriguing, the esplanade and visually the landscape. Ryde pier is striking and having the world’s only operating commercial operating in the show was also intriguing.”
He added his other favourite locations were Ventnor and Yarmouth Harbour.
Dome, who lives in Helsinki is a keen sailor and he hopes to one day sail from Finland to the UK (hopefully the Isle of Wight!)
He also says he might also return to holiday here with his family.
The series was shot at a total of 69 Island locations last year. Those included Ryde, East Cowes, Freshwater and Yarmouth. Dome revealed to Isle of Wight Radio that the Isle of Wight is up there with his favourite shooting locations.
He concluded:
“Iceland, as an Island was one of my favourite places to film as it was intriguing because of the weather but I think the Isle of Wight competes with that. Shooting in Berlin and all the history of it was an experience. But at the moment I think Berlin, Iceland and the Isle of Wight are at the moment my top three of all the places I have shot.
"I am not saying that just to be nice and courteous, it was a really wonderful experience and hopefully, the locals will like what we did."
As previously reported by Isle of Wight Radio, the series released a recent trailer.
The first two episodes of the five-part thriller will be available on BritBox from May 27. A further three episodes will be shown weekly on Thursdays.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO ISLE OF WGHT RADIO'S IONA INTERVIEW DOME