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BBC crime series The Strike Series, based on JK Rowling's books as Robert Galbraith, filmed at Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place is set to feature in a BBC adaptation of a bestselling crime novel series written by JK Rowling under a pseudonym.

Filming took place for The Strike Series, which will be broadcast later this year on BBC 1, in March.

The series is based on the novels The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm and Career of Evil, which were written by JK Rowling under the name Robert Galbraith, and will see the lead, Cormoran Strike, played by Kent-born actor and Musketeers star Tom Burke, who was Athos in the period drama.

Kent born Musketeer hunk Tom Burke Picture: BBC Pictures
Kent born Musketeer hunk Tom Burke Picture: BBC Pictures

The books tell the story of Cormoran, a war veteran turned private detective, wounded both physically and psychologically, but whose background as an investigator prove crucial in solving three complex cases that have eluded police.

The series has been produced as three separate dramas, covering the first three books in the series, with Penshurst Place & Gardens used as a location for filming The Silkworm, the second novel in the series.

Stars on set in March included Holliday Grainger, Monica Dolan and Jeremy Swift, and areas used for filming included the medieval Baron’s Hall, Porcupine Pantry and Lime Walk.

Penshurst Place
Penshurst Place

General manager Ben Thomas said: "It’s a privilege for Penshurst Place to have a role in bringing such a fantastic trilogy to life. Strike promises to be a hugely entertaining series of crime dramas written by the master storyteller, J K Rowling.

"While Penshurst Place is often used as a filming location for historical dramas, because of its authentic architectural features, the venue and surrounding 2,500-acre estate can accommodate filmmakers of any genre."

The house and gardens have also been used for the Harry Potter series, with it providing some of the creaking staircase sound effects.

It has also been used for filming Merlin, The Great Fire and BBC 2's Wolf Hall, which starred Mark Rylance.

Following the broadcast of the sixth episode of the BBC's Wolf Hall in 2015, Google searches for Penshurst Place increased by 100% in a day.

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