Crews film new series based on life of Mahatma Gandhi at The Citadel in Dover
15:50, 28 May 2024
updated: 09:10, 29 May 2024
Pictures have been released from the set of a new series featuring Harry Potter star Tom Felton focusing on the life of Mahatma Gandhi.
Filming for the drama, which is being produced by a major streaming service, took place over three days at The Citadel in Dover.
Scenes filmed at the historic fort included the dramatic moment civil rights legend Gandhi is released from prison.
It was one of the many times he clashed with the law in his struggle against racism and oppression.
A total 150 crew and 200 extras were at The Citadel for the shoot, which wrapped on Sunday.
The production team was able to make full use of the preserved cell blocks at the site as it was once a real life jail.
Filming also took place in the iconic Officers’ Quarters, which can be seen from outside the enclosed hilltop complex.
Even David de Min, chief executive at The Citadel, got acting parts in the series as both a policeman and prison warden.
He told KentOnline: “I had a speaking role, which was great fun.
“The project was a great showcase for The Citadel and Dover. All the hotels, restaurants and town as a whole have benefited.”
The big budget mini series, with the current working title simply Gandhi, will tell of Gandhi’s younger adult life.
It is expected to be shown from next January, although the streaming service is not yet known.
Gandhi is to be played by Pratik Gandhi.
Tom Felton – who played Harry Potter’s school rival Draco Malfoy in the film series – will star as Josh Oldfield, one of the founders of the Vegetarian Society of London, which Gandhi chances upon when visiting a vegetarian restaurant.
Gandhi is most remembered in history for leading the successful campaign for Indian independence from British rule in 1947.
He had once been asked by a journalist what he thought of Western civilisation and replied: “I think it would be a good idea.”
Gandhi inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
He was famous for using non-violent resistance and was the first to apply it in the political field on a large scale.
Yet Gandhi died violently. In 1948, aged 78, he was shot dead by a Hindu nationalist who believed he favoured the political demands of Muslims. The killer was later executed.
The Citadel was used as an army base during both world wars and from the 1950s was a prison and then borstal.
It was an immigration removal centre until 2015.
The large site is being continually reused and has been the location for filming scenes such as for the Danny Boyle Sex Pistols punk drama Pistol, in 2021, and the TV show Whitstable Pearl.
A hotel, restaurants and shops are eventually planned for the site, as well as weddings.
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