Bolton: BBC's Red Rose captured 'soul' of the town

Twin Boltonian brothers and creators of Red Rose, Michael and Paul Clarkson, were keen to capture what makes people from the town special by drawing on their own experiences growing up and the people they know.

“Bolton deserves to be seen because there a lot of good people who live here,” Paul said.

“There’s a lot of soul. There’s a lot of caring and a lot of people who do struggle to try and navigate the world, but they do it in a way where they don’t lose themselves.”

Michael added: “Boltonians and working-class people have answer to the world, and I think being able to showcase the Boltonian viewpoint of how to overcome adversity – which is crazy because the town motto is the same.

“That is our town motto and that is what Red Rose is and to be able to have the pride to show that you can overcome adversity and get on with it – who does that better than Boltonians?”

Ellis Howard, who plays Anthony, said: “I think there’s a gorgeous boldness and audaciousness to Boltonian people but also to northern people.

“I think that is captured in the spirit and the comedy in the show, especially because the Clarkson twins are actually Boltonians.”

READ: BBC and Netflix Red Rose premieres in Bolton

Among the cast is Leigh-born Natalie Blair, who much of the cast would turn to when perfecting accents and trying to grasp their characters.

“I think I’m quite fortunate in the sense that I know the values that Boltonians have in family, in friendship and working hard for what you want,” she said.

“I definitely took that into my character for sure.”

The main cast of Red Rose at the premiere at The Light Cinema. (L to R) Ali Khan, Natalie Blair, Amelia Clarkson, Isis Hainsworth, Ashna Rabheru and Ellis Howard

Isis Hainsworth who plays Rochelle, one of the leading roles in Red Rose, said: “I think Nat was a huge part, because she was there every day and it’s just so interesting to learn from her what the north is like for you.

“I’m from Scotland, which a little bit further north and I think we have some of those same values, but it was great to learn from Nat.”

Ali Khan, who plays Taz, said: “Talking to some of the extras or locals as well, hearing how they speak can help subconsciously inform it.

“Most of the supporting artists were locals themselves so you’d talk to them, and they’d tell you things right.”

Fellow lead actress Amelia Clarkson – no relation to the twins – who plays Wren says that filming was often interrupted by kids shouting, but she was thankful as she used that energy to channel into her Boltonian character.

(L to R) Amelia Clarkson and Isis Hainsworth

The series was shot predominantly in Bolton, and although most of the cast said they enjoyed filming on the moors around the town – with Ellis describing them as “elemental and vast”, and “how romantic and dark it is against an industrial town is so beautiful” – Amelia liked her experience inside some of Bolton’s famous buildings.

She said: “Towards later episodes we shot a lot in Bolton Town Hall, and at night as well.

“It was kind of scary but also it gave a lot of energy for us. Running around and being kids, which obviously helps with our performance.

“It definitely felt quite gothic when we were filming in some places, especially when we were filming in Smithills Hall. That felt kind of terrifying.”

Red Rose will be shown on BBC Three and on the iPlayer from Monday August 15.

Read more of today’s stories:

• Drug related deaths reach record high
• Bolton Market: Stall holders need support and understanding, traders say
• Bolton school children excluded for Covid breaches

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