Photo: GV of Barrington Court / headshot of Damian Lewis.

STARS from some of the world's best known TV shows and films were on Ilminster's doorstep shooting a six-part drama last week.

Fresh from the hit US show Homeland, Emmy-nominated Damian Lewis will play Henry VIII opposite Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall, the much-anticipated adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Booker Prize-winning novels.

Lewis joined an elite list of actors and actresses who were filming part of the drama at the National Trust-owned Barrington Court, ahead of it being aired on BBC Two in 2015.

The News visited Barrington Court in an attempt to speak to BBC staff and cast members to find out how they were enjoying their time. We were refused entry but have posed a list of questions to the crew.

The flagship drama, which charts the meteoric rise of Cromwell in the Tudor court from his lowly start as a blacksmith's son to Henry VIII's closest advisor, will be director by BAFTA-winning Peter Kosminksy.

Chard & Ilminster News: Damian Lewis has been filming a second season of Homeland

Damian Lewis.

Producers chose Barrington because of the authentic interiors and surroundings which match the period setting of the books.

Claire Foy (The Promise) will play Anne Boleyn in the show, written by Oscar-nominated Peter Straughan (The Men Who Stare At Goats, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

Other casting includes Mark Gatiss (Sherlock), Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife), Richard Dillane (The Dark Knight) and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Game of Thrones).