A FILM CREW were spotted at a location in Penarth town centre for a film starring none other than Claire Foy. 

The actress is well known for playing the role of the Queen in the popular Netflix TV show The Crown.  

The film crew were seen wrapping up outside the restaurant Mint and Mustard on Windsor Terrace at around 8.25pm on Monday, November 11. 

Lloyd Ellis, unit production manager for the film, said: “The film is called ‘H is for Hawk’. It is a famous novel which is being developed into a film.” 

He said the independent production crew and technicians have been filming at various sites around South Wales.  

He confirmed that another well-known actor, Brendan Gleeson, who played Alastor Moody in the Harry Potter films, is also a member of the cast. 

The crew wrapping up outside Mint and MustardThe crew wrapping up outside Mint and Mustard (Image: Newsquest)

The novel H is for Hawk written by Helen Macdonald is a memoir that explores her honest account of struggling with grief while training a hawk. 

The author Helen shares how she developed an unlikely friendship with a hawk named Mable after losing her father.  

Claire Foy is playing the Cambridge academic author Helen Macdonald who wrote the best-selling 2014 memoir. 

The father, a photojournalist, Alisdair, who died from a heart attack is being played by Brendan Gleeson. 

Lloyd Ellis, the unit production manager, added that several years ago he worked on another which filmed scenes at Penarth Pier. 

The filming at the pier in 2018The filming at the pier in 2018 (Image: Newsquest)

In 2018, the famous actress Dame Judi Dench and Oscar Winner Jim Broadbent was at Penarth Pier for the filming scenes for the historical thriller Six Minutes to Midnight. 

Lloyd Ellis, recalling when he worked with Dame Judi Dench during the filming, said she was a ‘a joy to work with’. 

Earlier this month, the crew were filming in Cambridge, however the unit production manager confirmed they will now be filming at locations in South Wales. 

The film is being produced by the US company Plan B Entertainment in association with Cardiff-based Good Gate Media.  

Film4 developed the project alongside Plan B and Peephole Productions, and will executive produce and co-finance. 

The film has recently been picked up by Lionsgate right as the filming in Wales has begun this month.