5 Jan: Angels Descend on York in ITV’s Eternal Law

Rich Fox
Left to right: Ukweli Roach as Tom, Sam West as Zak, Orla Brady as Mrs Sheringham, Hattie Morahan as Hannah and Tobias Menzies as Richard. Picture courtesy of ITV.
Left to right: Ukweli Roach as Tom, Sam West as Zak, Orla Brady as Mrs Sheringham, Hattie Morahan as Hannah and Tobias Menzies as Richard. Picture courtesy of ITV.

York is widely fêted as Britain’s most haunted town or city and its inhabitants over its 8,000+ year history seems to have had a penchant for the gory – from pillaging Vikings to Roman Gladiators. Indeed, one of the city’s top attractions is the “steeped-in-blood” York Dungeon.

Tom, Zak and Mrs Sheringham stroll down Low Petergate in York, picture courtesy of ITV
Tom, Zak and Mrs Sheringham stroll down Low Petergate in York, picture courtesy of ITV

So perhaps it’s long overdue that York can now make claim to angels. Not just any angels mind, these are ones which feature in a brand new ITV drama from the writers of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. This heavenly new programme is called Eternal Law and starts at 9pm on ITV1 on 5 January 2012, starring Samuel West, Ukweli Roach, Hattie Morahan, Tobias Menzies and Orla Brady.

Tom and Zak on the roof of York Minster, picture courtesy of ITV
Tom and Zak on the roof of York Minster, picture courtesy of ITV

The two main characters – Tom and Zak – are lawyers, but not your run-of-the-mill city lawyers – these guys are angels who have been sent to earth to help humans in their everyday lives.

The series promises to be a witty, vibrant and original drama, and York provides the stunning backdrop with its magnificent Gothic cathedral proving to be the perfect setting for the angel storyline.

Richard outside the Mansion House, York - picture courtesy of ITV
Richard outside the Mansion House, York - picture courtesy of ITV

Already a favourite tourist destination (and voted the most beautiful British city and the place most Brits would like to live in a 2011 survey), York is likely to see a further increase in visitors over the coming months as its picturesque locations enjoy superb coverage on film including Stonegate, St William’s College, Bettys Café Tea Rooms and Petergate.

Mrs Sheringham in St Helen's Square, York - picture courtesy of ITV
Mrs Sheringham in St Helen's Square, York - picture courtesy of ITV

Other Yorkshire locations used throughout Eternal Law’s first series of filming include Leeds, Selby, Wakefield, Richmondshire and Kirklees.

Whether you’re looking for angelic lawyers or just keen to visit one of Britain’s best-loved cities, check out the York hotels or York B&Bs on Hello Yorkshire.