Lights, camera, action! Richard E Grant joins stars for filming of superhero comedy at Leaderfoot

A number of famous faces from the world of film and TV have converged on the Borders for the shooting of a new superhero comedy.

Richard E Grant, Billy Magnussen and Isaac Powell are all on set at the Leaderfoot Viaduct, near Melrose, where filming is underway on new HBO series The Franchise.

The Marvel satire is being directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes.

Production had been halted briefly this morning (Wednesday) following a four-vehicle crash on the neighbouring A68, as the police and ambulance sirens blared.

Smoke drifted across the sun-kissed Tweed-side location, which has been lit up by bright stage lights, in the moments around the time of the collision, but it's unclear what caused it.

Extras dressed in what appears to be superhero outfits could be seen walking off set until filming resumed shortly after midday.

Production teams have spent the last week building the set - with lighting from Warner Bros Studios, visual effect markers from Maximum Studios, and signs which appear to carry the colours of the Armenian flag.

It comes almost three years after Hollywood star Harrison Ford shot scenes for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in the same spot, on the banks of the River Tweed.

WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video from Leaderfoot...

The huge production team has set up base at Charlesfield Industrial Estate - four miles further south, via the A68.

In a letter to locals, Sammy Thomson, supervising location manager with Jettison Productions Ltd, said: "We are extremely conscious that we are both guests in your neighbourhood and we strive at all times to be a considerate and respectful production.

"Filming will take place during the hours of 7am and 7pm. However, on our filming days there may be an increased presence of crew and vehicles in the hours shortly before and after the filming.

"We have been in touch with Scottish Borders Council and Film Edinburgh regarding filming plans.

"Crew will also be encouraged to make use of local businesses in the area (shops, restaurants, hotels etc) during their down time, so we hope this will be of benefit to the local area too."

For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.