LOCALS living in the estate where a new BBC series was filmed say violence is now worse on the estate than it’s shown on the show.
This Town is set in the Midlands in the 1980s, and hit screens at the weekend.
SWNSLocals living on the estate where a BBC series was filmed have opened up about what it’s really like[/caption]
SWNSEzekiel Hermon says the show will be ‘eye-opening’ to many[/caption]
SWNSPete Felton, 60, says the area has it’s problems – ‘but what place doesn’t?’[/caption]
SWNSOthers say the estate is far more violent than shown on screens[/caption]
The series, dreamed up by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, follows a story of social unrest with young people fighting to choose their own paths.
Filming first started in Birmingham in November 2022 – one of the locations included the Druids Heath high rises of Saxelby House, Kingswood House and Barratts House.
While some of the blocks today lie empty and neglected, some people still call the area home and have done for years.
And they say the estate is now worse than what’s been portrayed in This Town – with some fearing wandering the streets at night, cats being hurled from balconies, and knife-wielding punters often fighting at the pubs.
In 2018, BirminghamLive reported two felines were thought to have been thrown from Kingswood House, and two years later a taxi driver was filmed being beaten by a passenger outside.
And Hotel porter David Palmer, 49, said the violence shown on the telly is tame compared to everyday life.
David said: “The show hits the nail on the head in some regards but doesn’t scratch the surface of working class life in others.
“I think it’s rougher here than the show makes out to be honest and has been since the 80s.
“But the violence is tame is comparison to what I’ve seen on these streets on an almost weekly basis.”
The 49-year-old continued: “I’ve seen it go from fist fights in the pubs, to then knives and guns being used – that’s the reality of living in these parts of Birmingham these days I’m afraid.”
Another resident agreed problems with gangs and knife crime were plaguing the area.
They said: “You wouldn’t be walking around canals and motorway bridges around here after dark, that’s for sure.
“Certain parts were, and still are, no-go zones at night.”
Despite the crime and fear that some say still exists, there are others who still love living on the estate.
One of those is Pete Felton, 60, who works as a storeman at the University of Birmingham.
Where was This Town filmed?
Here’s what we know about the locations
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is behind the drama after growing up in the area himself.
He said: “This is the area where I grew up.
“There was this period in Coventry and Birmingham when people who were opposites suddenly came together, and I thought it would be interesting to tell this story of poor people in very different circumstances.”
Filming first started in November 2022 in Birmingham with locations including the city centre.
In January 2023 TV crews were in Wolverhampton filming what looked to be riot scenes for the drama.
A burnt-out van was spotted on Victoria Street and police lined up next to an old-style riot van in the city centre.
At the time casting agents put out a call for “skinheads and people with shaved heads” from in and around West Bromwich.
Pete has called Druids Heath home for 54 years, and says if anything the area is calmer than what has been shown on screens.
He said: “You get issues like fly-tipping and some antisocial behaviour like kids going around on their scramblers.
“I personally don’t think the area is as rough and ready as the show makes out. It’s fairly quiet around here nowadays.
“There’s a decent community spirit here and everyone looks out for everyone. Sure, it’s had its problems but what area doesn’t?”
The 60-year-old said a lot had changed since the early 80s, adding: “I remember it was quite divided and tensions were high so maybe the programme reflects that quite well.
Who is in the cast of This Town?
Here’s a look at who is in the cast of This Town:
Michelle Dockery
David Dawson
Nicholas Pinnock
Manoj Annand
Jordan Bolger
Eve Austin
Ben Rose
Mark de Freitas
Levi Brown
Luke Hughes
“I remember the Handsworth Riots too. The tower blocks are empty now. We’re in need of regeneration but nobody knows whats happening with it really.”
Ezekiel Hermon, 49, lived in Saxelby House,- which features in many skyline shots as the home of Dante Williams (Levi Brown) – for 27 years.
The dad-of-four said: “It was always a place where people looked out for each other, a great sense of community spirit despite having many problems.
“The crime was quite bad but it was usually those who had come from other areas to cause trouble.
“So the tensions of the early 80s ring true to me. I remember being called names. It was a divisive time but I was still young.
“They will obviously glamorise certain parts for dramatic effect. I think the average person might find it an eye-opening place still.”
Fans have already shared their thoughts on the series – slamming part of it as “so fake”.
BBCThis Town hit screens at the weekend[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
