Historic Houses: The True Stars of Period Dramas

This event took place virtually on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 1:00 pm (EDT). See below for more information on the discussion, including the event description and speaker information. 

Event Description

For many, Chatsworth House is Pemberley, home to Pride and Prejudice’s Mr. Darcy. For others, it is the home of the Duchess of Devonshire, as played by Keira Knightley in the film The Duchess, and it also played host to the award-winning drama Peaky Blinders.  But how exactly are historic houses such as Chatsworth transformed into the settings of some of the most popular films and TV shows? 

Join us on March 30 at 1:00 pm (EDT) // 6:00 pm (BST) as we draw back the curtain to reveal the fascinating work involved when turning historic houses into fictitious screen locations. How do the owners of these houses choose which productions are granted access? Once there, how do production designers and art directors design sets that transport viewers to different eras and locations? How do actors and directors do their job while respecting their surroundings? And once these historic houses have been made widely popular through their role in period dramas, how do the custodians balance the benefits and conservation challenges that an increase in visitors can bring? 

WMF Britain Executive Director John Darlington will explore these questions and more alongside actress Nell Hudson (Victoria, Outlander); director Julie Anne Robinson (Bridgerton); and Head of Marketing and Visitor Experience at Chatsworth House Sally Ambrose. 

Date: Tuesday, March 30
Time: 1:00 pm (EDT) // 6:00 pm (BST)

This event is hosted in partnership with Intelligence Squared.