Channel 4 Patience cast film scenes in York Minster

Patience, which premiered on January 8 of this year, was the biggest drama of the year for Channel 4 and follows the story of Patience (played by Ella Maisy Purvis), a young woman with autism who works in the criminal records department for ‘City of York Police’.

Filming for the second series – which has an extended eight episode run – began in York city centre on Wednesday (June 18) in and around York Minister, with ten days of filming planned in the upcoming weeks.

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The scenes filmed today were shot inside York Minster, which was closed to the public, and showed part of the second episode of the series – which the cast say is ‘centred around music with a clever plot twist’.

Having filmed their last season during a rainy and cold April, the crew said that their return to the city during the summer had given them a new appreciation for York in the sun.

Nathan Welsh, who plays Jake Hunter, said: “I think it’s nice, because it’s a really beautiful place to be and it looks different to last year. Last year, I think it rained a lot but, in the sun, it’s beautiful. I went for a run and the sunset is stunning on the water.

The cast of Patience (Image: Channel 4)“We film so much in Belgium that York isn’t in our minds, but you come here and it’s like oh okay now you see it. It’s very grounding.”

Ella Maisy Purvis, who plays Patience, added: “I also think the show has a different feel, so the weather just suits it a lot better.

 “It’s funny – there’s a lot of shots where I just need to look and walk and stare and take things in and there’s no acting required there. Patience has lived here all her life, but it’s just so easy like today in the Minster and it’s easy to do that when it’s such a gorgeous city.”

Filming was underway in the Minster today – a location that the Patience team said was their favourite in the city (Image: Provided) They also thanked the people of York for their warm welcome and the ‘buzz’ that they’d created – noting that more people were gathered to watch filming and sharing conversations that they overheard where people praising the show.

Mark Benton, who plays Calvin Baxter, said: “It’s funny because it’s set in York but most of it is shot in Belgium, so being here is like a treat for us and to get the big things like the Minster in is really nice.”

For BAFTA award winner Jessica Hynes, who has joined the cast as DI Frankie Monroe, filming in York also marked a return after having spent time working at Theatre Royal 30 years ago.

The Minster was closed for tourists during filming today (Image: Provided)She said: “I worked in York 30 years ago in a production of Blithe Spirit where I was Edith the Maid and I had my first taste of ginger parkin – which I’ve never had anywhere else. It was delicious and that’s what I remember about York – that and staying in lovely digs with a family who had doves.

“It’s changed quite a lot in 30 years but it’s lovely to be back here. It’s a wonderful place with lovely, lovely people and it’s even better than I remember – it definitely feels like it’s had a glow up.”

Jessica Hynes will play DI Frankie Monroe (Image: Provided) On her character, she added: “DI Frankie Monroe transferred from Salford in a bit of a hurry and under a bit of a cloud that we find out more about throughout the series.

“She’s very direct, straight forward, and very into being by the book which is why she’s initially not sure about Patience.”

The cast are set to film in locations across the city (Image: Provided) Ella added: “I was thinking, and this season is a little like a tiramisu; in Italian, tiramisu means to liven up or have more energy and there’s a lot more energy and dynamism this season.”

Patience is set to continue filming across York this week and next, with a date for the new season yet to be revealed.