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Naked Apes: Leeds market stars in new TV drama
Richard Madden and Rhys Thomas pictured at Leeds Market filming Naked Apes.
shoppers at Leeds Market came to a standstill as the cameras rolled for a new medical drama in the heart of the city.
Extras, actors and technicians drew crowds of stunned shoppers who were eager to catch a glimpse of Channel Four’s filming for their new black-comedy Naked Apes.
The drama, which is set to take a prime-time slot, delves into the lives of three paramedics and their daily mission to reach the end of their shifts.
Actors Rhys Thomas, Richard Madden and Kayvan Novak are the three angels of mercy tasked with saving ill people in Leeds - as well as unravelling their own complex lives.
But to make sure they knew exactly what they were letting themselves in for, the trio endured a 12-hour night shift with ambulance crews on the streets of Leeds.
Richard Madden, who plays Ashley, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Friday nights with the ambulance crews of Leeds was definitely an eye-opener.
“We saw many sights and ultimately saw a whole different side to Leeds.
“There were a lot of drunk people, quite a few elderly people and we even saw a dead body.
“I have even been mistaken for a real paramedic but it was so thrilling to go out on a job and race through the traffic.
“But some people treated it like a taxi service.”
Rhys Thomas, who plays Stuart, even got to help deliver a baby during his stint with the paramedic crews.
He added: “It was just brilliant filming in Leeds.
“Everyone in the city is really friendly, lots of fun and just generally lovely people.
“We might even get the chance to come back to Leeds if we decide to film a second series.”
Naked Apes was inspired by paramedic Tom Reynolds’ book Blood, Sweat and Tea and was penned by Brian Fillis, who is well-known for The Curse of Steptoe and An Englishman In New York.
The six-part drama is set to run on Channel Four during the summer.
Channel Four’s head of drama, Camilla Campbell, added: “We are very excited to be greenlighting a new drama series for Channel Four, which will take us behind the flashing lights of the ambulance service to where the real drama happens.
“With Brian Fillis’ unflinching and comic look at modern day relationships, this is a series that has a voice all of its own, and we’re really looking forward to seeing his vision realised on screen.”
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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