Actor Toby Jones and Elbow front man Guy Garvey have been singing the praises of Suffolk, where they have both been based during the filming of the Detectorists television show.
During Garvey’s BBC Radio 6 Music which aired yesterday, the singer explained he had been staying in Framlingham to be with his wife, Rachael Stirling, who plays Becky in the series, which is currently filming in the town.
He said the show was a “beautiful” comedy about a metal detectorists club, which showed off the Suffolk countryside in a “really gentle way”.
In an interview with Jones, who plays Lance Slater in the show, he asked what it was like to work in Framlingham.
“I can’t really imagine a more idyllic job than this,” Jones replied.
“And Framlingham is, in a way, the crucible in which the show happens.
“It’s such a slow vibe, the show, it’s kind of like an inaction movie.”
“And Framlingham has that about it.”
Garvey asked whether Jones thought Framlingham was, “in the nicest possible way, dozy”?
The actor said Framlingham had a “tourist dimension” with the castle.
“So it’s not completely fallen asleep,” he added. “It’s kind of semiconscious.
“It has everything you need and it’s all walkable.
“Occasionally you have to pinch yourself that you’re not on holiday, you’re actually making a tv show that people will see at some future point.”
Jones said the show was a “dream job” and praised its director Mackenzie Crook, who also plays Andy Stone in the show.
“It has Mackenzie’s fascinations and obsessions in it and I think that’s what makes the show so great,” he added.
“Mackenzie loves nature, he is totally absorbed in nature.
“Sometime when we’re filming, famously, he will forget to say ‘cut’ or ‘action’, because he has either actually found something with his metal detector or he has spotted a specific kind of bird.
“There will never be another job like it.”
Garvey remarked on Framlingham’s other claim to fame - Ed Sheeran, which Jones said had “taken the heat off” those involved in the show.
“The people do come up to say we really like the show and thanks for doing it here,” he added.
“But it’s kind of like they’ve seen it all before, they’ve got Ed Sheeran here so whoever comes and strolls around isn’t going to be Ed Sheeran.”
The Detectorists is currently filming six episodes for the third series, which is likely to broadcast on BBC4 at the end of the year.
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