Episode 2 was filmed in Midhurst (April 27th) & Guildford
Starring Michael Kitchen
& Honeysuckle Weeks.
To be shown on ITV Spring 2010

Greenlit Rights Ltd is delighted to announce three new episodes of ITV1’s top-rating and award-winning drama FOYLE’S WAR, starring Michael Kitchen in this seventh series.

It is June 1945 and while VE Day has been celebrated in Britain , the war continues elsewhere in the world. The immediate aftermath of war was not a time of jubilation and optimism, as had been expected. The country was exhausted and poverty-stricken, families torn apart and rations tighter than ever before. Like everyone else, Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle needs to feel his way in this new world as he faces some of his toughest challenges and gripping plots to date. Keen to retire, but bound to his old job by the steep rise in violent crime that swept the country, Foyle is thrust into the dangerous worlds of international conspiracy and execution, military racism and national betrayal.

This new series also sees the return of Samantha Stewart (Honeysuckle Weeks) and the newly promoted Detective Superintendent Milner (Anthony Howell), but now that the war has ended they are no longer working alongside Foyle in Hastings .

Inspired by true events and created by acclaimed scriptwriter and novelist Anthony Horowitz (COLLISION, MIDSOMER MURDERS, POIROT, MURDER IN MIND ) this series also welcomes guest writer David Kane ( MIDNIGHT MAN , REBUS, SEA OF SOULS , THIS YEAR’S LOVE) to pen one of the episodes.

Stuart Orme ( MERLIN, LEWIS, MOBILE , COLD BLOOD) will be the lead director in this new series. The producer is Lars MacFarlane (FOYLE’S WAR, BENEATH THE SKIN, TOUCH OF FROST) and Jill Green (COLLISION, CAUGHT IN A TRAP, HONEST, TRUST , MENACE), of Greenlit Rights, is executive producer for the whole series.

A NEWS FLASH FROM GREENLIT RIGHTS - APRIL 2009

"We are currently in the last week of filming episode 1 of this series of Foyle’s War (where much of the story travels to London)  and shooting starts on episode 2 mid April. 

We are planning on filming in Midhurst on April 27^th, in Church Hill.  The day will comprise mainly exteriors, driving scenes (Foyle will be driving himself this series!) and a couple of dialogue scenes.  I understand that our locations team spoke to the various authorities yesterday and will be contacting local residents shortly.  Much of the rest of episode 2 will be shot in and around Guildford. (Picture below taken in 2006 - Inspector Foyle's police car outside The Spread Eagle Hotel, Midhurst - Series 5)

Episode two explores the issue of Black GIs stationed in Britain.  They were not being used as part of the occupying forces, for fear that it would exacerbate a very sensitive situation, so were barracked in the UK until they were sent home.  This episode looks at the racial tensions caused and when a local girl is murdered and a black GI comes under immediate suspicion.  It’s a terrific story, written by David Kane (MIDNIGHT MAN, REBUS, SEA OF SOULS, THIS YEAR’S LOVE) and directed by David Richards (PERFECT DAY, SHAKESPEARE RETOLD:  THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, CONVICTION, ALIBI, RECKLESS)."

THE LATEST NEWS FOM ITV
The second scene of the day circa 10.00 am has Honeysuckle Weeks.

In the afternoon, circa 2.30 pm - a guess - Michael Kitchen has three scenes, two with his car.

A DARK OVERCAST AND SHEETING RAIN welcomed Foyle’s War filming in Midhurst when the action started in the morning of the 27th April 2009. More Foyle’s Pour than Foyle’s War. (MK with director near police car in the distance, whilst the Spread Eagle is quickly converted into tea rooms. MP's strut their stuff in the foreground)

The scene scheduled for about 10.00 am with Honeysuckle Weeks was abandoned, but filming continued in the pouring rain with a scene in the yard between the Parish Church and Church Cottage. Small groups of fans braved the elements, took what shelter they could find under eaves and jetties, or peered through Comestibles’ window towards the War Memorial which had a quick make-over to conceal its World War 2 aspects.

Michael Kitchen turned up in the mid-afternoon, his smart limousine swishing into Red Lion Street . As if in welcome the dark overcast began miraculously to lift and the sun peeped out. The crowds gathered, excitement was palpable, everyone chatting and making new friends. Fans from north London got re-acquainted with their Midhurst counterparts whom they had met in the last filming in 2006.

The sun continued to grow stronger but storm clouds threatened and cast an amazing light on the film sets. Most of the action took place at the Swan Inn. The principal scene comprised Michael Kitchen as Superintendent Foyle cruising down from the War Memorial in his car – driving himself you’ll note: no Samantha this time – and parking near the Parish Church, getting out and slouching along in off-duty gear past a jeep full of MP’s, noting what they were doing but not getting involved. The scene was repeated several times with an MP walking up the steps of the SWAN INN and sticking a notice on the door. We didn’t get to learn what the notice said, but we're assured its the key to the whole episode! WATCH THIS DOOR. THIS MP CLIMBS THE STEPS.

Filming went on until about 7.00 pm . The cheroot smoking MP above was the star in this short scene outside the Swan Inn. His slow walk up the steps to the pub door and even slower pinning-up of the notice, followed by a slow turn , flick of the shoulder and arrogant swagger before descending the steps - absolutely brilliant. One of those mini gems! Just look at how he's holding himself with the director; he's living the part.

This was quite the most splendid event that Midhurst has had the privilege to host in recent times, and probably the most enthralling and enjoyable. Michael Kitchen was his usual charming self and at the end of filming chatted with locals whilst munching a piece of cake and had his picture taken by fans. (Picture left MK, hands in pockets, in listening mode with director outside the Spread Eagle)

FOYLE'S WAR FANS WORLD-WIDE . Please join Friends of Midhurst in Facebook. Our most recent member is Mark Nelson Preston from NY. We've our Meeting Place at Comestibles Deli and Café in Midhurst, West Sussex where we also have a Noticeboard. The next time you're in town please drop in and say hullo. But if you're living in Australia, Canada or the USA, for example, please join our Facebook. We'd love to hear from you! And please announce yourself by posting a note on the Wall or putting a link to your website.

Don't miss the ITV showing dates - keep in touch with us or join FRIENDS OF MIDHURST and be KEPT INFORMED!

STUNTMAN DIVES OFF VIADUCT
East Grinstead in Sussex saw a stuntman for A Foyle's War Scene jump off the viaduct.

Here is the YouTube video.

Foyle's War Film Set B&B at The Swan Inn - go here.

COLIN BROCKLEHURST - A NOT-SO-ENTHUSIASTIC OBSERVER OF THE MIDHURST LOVE-IN WITH ALL THINGS FOYLE.

QUESTION : When is Foyle's War next going to be shown in the UK?
The official answer is this "Foyle’s War will be back in the Spring. Would you mind contacting us closer to TX for further details.?" ITV spokewoman. 26/11/2009. We'll get an update mid-February, so look in again in late February 2010. See you then, Editor.

FARNHAM UNIVERSITY OF CREATIVE ARTS - 60'S FILM
The Parish Church and square saw a new, young team of film-makers from Farnham Unuiversity trying their hand at creating a film of the 1960's. Trilbies were popular among the English upper classes in the 60's and a quick snap taken at the end of filming has a tall man dressed like someone out of Foyle's War.

There is so much musical and artistic talent locally. The idea of a new below ground concert hall - like the Turner Simms at Southampton - and an Arts-Media Centre with film making and full digital processing is really beginning to take root. Lord Cowdray is very supportive; but finding the land is the issue. To kick this forward we need the promise of international and national support from actors, actresses, musicians - the whole media 'bag'.

Please join FRIENDS OF MIDHURST - contact me, the Editor, or write on our Facebook Wall - if you think you may be able to contibute some input - even if you're resident in Hollywood or Bollywood!

Farnham University of Creative Arts.

More pictures on these pages:-

[Foyle 2009] [Foyle 2] [Foyle 3] [Foyle 4] [Foyle 5] [Vandalism] [Midhurst Pages]

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