Written by new-contact on Sep 9, 2015. Posted in On Location

Rowan Atkinson filming detective drama Maigret in Budapest

British comedy star Rowan Atkinson has started filming in Budapest for a new TV movie drama based on the fictional French detective Maigret. The character first appeared on-screen in the early 60s and was last portrayed by Michael Gambon in the early 90s.

Ealing Studios and Maigret Productions Ltd are producing two new TV movies for ITV that follow Maigret in 1950s Paris.

“Maigret is a prestigious commission and we’re delighted to be working with Maigret Productions, Ealing Studios and Rowan Atkinson, to bring these stories to screen for our viewers,” said Peter Fincham, ITV’s Director of Television.

“I have been a devourer of the Maigret novels for many years,” added Atkinson: “I’m very much looking forward to playing such an intriguing character, at work in Paris during a fascinating period in its history.”

Budapest is a popular Eastern European filming location and its studio facilities were recently used by Ron Howard and Tom Hanks for their movie adaptation of the Dan Brown novel Inferno.

Maigret is a prestigious commission and we’re delighted to be working with Maigret Productions, Ealing Studios and Rowan Atkinson.

Peter Fincham, ITV’s Director of Television

Paris is not commonly used a filming location for extended international shoots, partly because of higher local costs. This may change from January next year when France’s Tax Rebate for International Productions is scheduled to rise by 10%.

The BBC’s hit adventure series The Musketeers films on location in the Czech Republic, doubling the country for period Paris.

In the UK a dedicated TV tax credit has helped boost television production. Shoots are increasingly moving outside London and choosing to film in Yorkshire, western England and South Wales.