Hollywood A-lister Ewan McGregor is in Bolton as the town centre takes centre stage in a star-studded drama set during the Russian Revolution.
Victoria Square has been fenced off to the public for a shoot for A Gentleman in Moscow, which started today (February 28) and is scheduled for a few days.
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McGregor – of Moulin Rouge and Star Wars fame – was spotted near the steps of the town hall, although co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead – of Birds of Prey and Die Hard fame – was nowhere to be seen.
McGregor, who married Winstead last year, was in costume for the role of Alexander Rostov.
Director, Sam Miller, as well as a number of actors in period dress and with authentic touches such as cars and carriages were spotted to create the Russian era.
The area around the town hall was blanketed in snow.
Based on a 2016 novel by Amor Towles and set at the time of the Russian Revolution, around 100 years ago, A Gentleman in Moscow tracks aristocrat Alexander Rostov after he is spared execution, but sent to the Hotel Metropol under house arrest.
McGregor is understood to be a replacement for Kenneth Branagh, who was in the role initially.
McGregor said: "It is an amazing, wonderful story and I am excited to play such a fabulous role."
Bolton is no stranger to the TV cameras and is seen by some as the 'Hollywood of the North' after it appeared in series such as Happy Valley.
Although set in West Yorkshire, the series with Sarah Lancashire came to the town centre and used locations such as Amico Cafe and Market Place shopping centre for scenes screened a matter of weeks ago.
And at the end of last month, an area of Hotel Street was transformed into a bank and a corner of Victoria Square was taken over by trucks as cast and crew worked on the BBC's Undoing Martin Parker.
This series stars Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) and Sian Gibson (Car Share).
A Gentleman in Moscow is scheduled to start on Paramount+ later this year.
It is directed by Sam Miller (Luther) and written by Ben Vanstone (Merlin).
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