JK Rowling's Galbraith detective story to be filmed in Barrow for BBC One

The creator of the global phenomenon Harry Potter series has penned three best-selling crime books under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

The Galbraith novels, which centre on private investigator Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott, are now being made into a much-anticipated TV series.

The third book, Career of Evil , features the characters travelling to Barrow. The book mentions Ulverston as the “birthplace of Stan Laurel” and describes Strike and Robin, passing Barrow’s Craven Park rugby ground. There are also references to the Crow’s Nest pub, the Olympic takeaway, Barrow Grammar School for Boys and BAE Systems. The characters also eat in The Last Resort in Cavendish Street.

Back in October 2014 Ken and Jean Crosby, of Ulverston, said they spotted the superstar author in Barrow. They saw her in Cavendish Street and then passing the Evening Mail and walking up Emlyn Street and onto a town centre car park.

Now filming for the BBC’s series, with the working title The Galbraith Mysteries takes place in Barrow on Monday and Tuesday.

READ MORE: TV adaptation of JK Rowling's The Cuckoo's Calling starts filming in London

The Cuckoo’s Calling Ltd is working on pre-production for the TV drama adaptation. It is understood that aerial shots of the town will be filmed on Monday. On Tuesday the company has said it will be filming at the Crow’s Nest pub and Stewart Street on Barrow Island, and also other streets in the immediate vicinity.

Filming has already been taking place in London and other locations. Tom Burke will star as Cormoran Strike. The British actor also starred in the BBC’s epic drama War And Peace as Fedor Dolokhov and in The Musketeers as Athos. Holliday Grainger is to star as Robin. The actress has starred in the Borgias series and Mike Newell’s adaptation of Great Expectations .

The Galbraith novels; The Cuckoo’s Calling , The Silkworm and Career of Evil are being produced as three separate event dramas.

Keith Johnson, Barrow Borough Council’s assistant director – community services, said: “We welcome film crews coming into Barrow. We look to have a good working relationship with film companies.”

Mike Stephenson, the owner of The Last Resort, said the mention of his cafe in Career of Evil has led to overseas tourists from the likes of Japan and Sweden, and also UK visitors, calling in and asking about the book. The cafe is not involved in the filming. Career of Evil’s reference says: “Notwithstanding its unpropitious name, The Last Resort was cosy and clean, full of chattering old ladies, and they returned to the car park feeling pleasantly well fed."

READ MORE:Barrow OAPs spellbound after bumping into author

Mr Stephenson also welcomes the Barrow filming, but reminds people it is a dark book and not to expect a picture postcard of Barrow.

Mr Stephenson said: “It’s good to have the filming in the town. This will be a prime time BBC TV series which will be sold globally.

“The subject of the book is dark so the series will be filmed in the context of the novel.”