Is Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes on his way to the Scottish Borders?
Set-building continues at Leaderfoot as speculation mounts over new TV series being filmed
Last updated 1st May 2024
Set-building is continuing at a Borders beauty spot ahead of filming getting underway next week on a brand-new television series.
Speculation is mounting that the Leaderfoot Viaduct, near Melrose, could be set to provide the backdrop for scenes in The Franchise - a comedy drama depicting the issues faced by a film crew in production on a superhero film.
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) site, it's being directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (pictured above), who also directed the likes of American Beauty (1999), Jarhead (2005), and James Bond films Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015).
And it's set to include the likes of German actor Daniel Brühl - known for his role as Frederick Zoller in Inglourious Basterds; The Wolf of Wall Street actress Aya Cash; and big-screen star Richard E Grant.
The production company which wrote to Borders residents advising them of the filming was involved in the pilot, for American TV outlet HBO.
Jettison is based at Warner Bros Studios in Hertfordshire, where the likes of Barbie and Harry Potter were made. At least one Warner Bros truck from the studios in Leavesden is already on site.
It wouldn't be the first star-studded production at Leaderfoot, with scenes for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny being shot there in June 2021.
According to Wikipedia, filming for the first season of The Franchise began at the end of February and is set to last three months.
Security remained tight around Leaderfoot, where a number of road closures are now in force.
And temporary traffic lights are set to be installed on the neighbouring A68, which overlooks the Tweed-side site, when filming gets underway - between Wednesday and Saturday, next week.
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."
The letter from Jettison revealed the filming project on the banks of the River Tweed has been split into three parts - site preparation and dismantling, and filming.
The site preparation began on Monday and continues until next Tuesday, May 7th.
Filming will follow from Wednesday, May 8th, to Saturday, May 11th; and dismantling of the site will take place from Sunday, May 12th to Friday, May 17th, from 7am to 7pm.
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/