THE first episode of the BBC’s period drama, part of which was filmed at Duncombe Park , Helmsley , will be shown on Friday.

Parade’s End has been adapted by Sir Tom Stoppard from a novel by Ford Madox Ford and is set in the lead up to the First World War.

The five-part mini series stars Rupert Everett, Miranda Richardson, Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall.

Production crews spent two weeks at Duncombe Park transforming the house and its surroundings. Part of the gravelled forecourt was turfed over and a large polystyrene cedar tree, complete with real branches, was erected to create the setting for one of the most dramatic scenes.

A 70-metre cherry picker was parked on the slope above the house to illuminate the entire West Front and make-up and costume areas were located in what would have been below-stairs areas the extras were portraying.

Owner Jake Duncombe said at the time of filming: “It all felt quite eerie seeing people and things just as they might have been at Duncombe Park 100 years ago.”