ITV's new crime drama Winter, starring Richard Armitage as forensic pathologist Dr Ethan Winter, is set in Bristol – but filming actually took place in Belgium.
The actor leads the series as Dr Ethan Winter, appearing alongside Annabel Scholey as DI Lauren Bell and Jamie Kenna as DS Ellis Daldry. The programme, which should appeal to Silent Witness fans, comprises standalone episodes, with each one presenting a "treasure hunt of random dots," for Winter and Bell to piece together.
What sets Winter apart
Discussing what distinguishes Winter from other crime dramas, Richard explained: "It's got both crime procedural and long-form stories. The forensic style and the way that we enter the world of the victim through the discovery of the body, not necessarily in flashback, but as a way of mapping what happened to them, is quite unusual. Rather than starting with the murder, we begin with the investigation that then leads us back to how they were killed."
The series is set "against the atmospheric backdrop of Bristol," with the setting playing a significant role in the production, particularly regarding Winter's laboratory, which is located in a former Victorian swimming pool in the heart of a forest, reports Bristol Live.
Belgian filming and the lab set
Though filming actually occurred in Belgium. Discussing the laboratory setting and the collaboration with director Kaat Beels and Dries Vos in Belgium, executive producer Walker Luzzolino explained: "We've worked with them both before. Dries is also our partner in Belgium. They knew that we wanted a heightened, premium look and they took the lead in the actual physical vision, with the photography and the art direction."
After pitching their idea for Winter's lab, Dries realised he couldn't find a Victorian swimming pool that has been converted into a lab with specific windows. So, he created a set, which was incredibly elaborate, and we loved it. He knows our tastes, so we are very aligned."
Cast experience in Belgium
Actor Jamie Kenna reflected on the experience of shooting in Belgium, saying: "We filmed in Belgium and the way the Belgians do everything is very inclusive, compared to here or America where you all get your own trailers and disappear for lunch on your own. This was like a school dining experience, so we all ate together and became close. It was also more welcoming for guest stars."
"Being away from my family is difficult for me, but they made it a home-from-home. I ended up going to football matches with one of the drivers. And on our last day of filming, I set up 'Daldry's Bristol Boozer' at lunchtime and we had Aperol Spritz. Then I grabbed a guitar and me and a couple of the crew performed a little song. The whole thing was like a thank you for looking after us."
Winter starts on ITV1 on Wednesday, September 30 at 9pm.
