Line of Duty may have drawn to a dramatic conclusion last Sunday – but one of its leads is set to be filming for the new series of another show in Greater Manchester next week.
Martin Compston – or as fans of the smash-hit police procedural drama will more likely know him as, DS Steve Arnott – is due to rock up to the streets of Stockport to film for the second series of the critically-acclaimed BBC One drama series Traces on Monday.
The first series of Traces aired back in January, and went on to grip the attentions of viewers up and down the country.
The series – which is set in Dundee, but predominantly filmed in Greater Manchester – focuses on three female forensic professionals working together at the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science (SIFA) as they uncover the truth of a murder case to bring a killer to justice, and also stars Breaking Bad’s Laura Fraser, Molly Windsor (Three Girls), Jennifer Spence (Stargate Universe).
Compston plays Daniel MacAfee – the director of a construction company and romantic interest of one of the show’s leads.
In a letter sent to Stockport residents and businesses about the filming, Traces’ producers said: “As part of the economic recovery, filming on location is allowed to proceed, provided government guidance surrounding work activities is observed and industry guidelines are adhered to.
“We want to reassure you that our work is in line with the government guidance and has been approved in consultation with all relevant authorities”.
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Starting at The Arden Arms on Millgate at 8am on Monday, crews will then move to Great Underbank, which will be followed by a visit to Freedmans clothes hire on Little Underbank.
The second series of Traces is expected to air on Alibi and BBC One later this year.
Featured Image – BBC / iPlayer
TV & Showbiz
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Emily Sergeant -
7th May 2021 
