PRODUCERS of a prime time series which is filmed in Chepstow hope it can continue for five years.

The TV production company behind the BBC primetime series Atlantis which is filmed in Chepstow now hope a second series will be commissioned.

The fantasy drama, made for BBC Cymru Wales by Urban Myth Films Ltd, appeared on our screens for the first time last week but filming began in an empty warehouse in Chepstow in April.

The 13-part series, featuring actors including Jack Donelly, Robert Emms and Mark Addy amd Sarah Parish, takes viewers on a journey through the vast store of Greek myths and legends, a treasure trove of extraordinary tales re-imagined for a new generation.

It is being filmed in part of the former Tesco coldstore building at Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate which was converted into a large studio with two green green stages where interior and exterior sequences are being filmed and then enhanced by CGI as well as on location in Morocco.

In a letter to the council, Chris Dadds, of Peter Brett Associates, said it intends to create more and larger sets for this new series, which will require more space within the building.

He said: “The new use of the building is intended to be a temporary use, specifically for the production of the new TV show, which it is hoped may run for five years or more. However, the funding for all future series is not secured as yet and it is therefore unclear as to how long the temporary use might endure.”

Julian Murphy, from Urban Myth Films Ltd and Executive Producer of Atlantis says; “Whilst we will not know about a second series of Atlantis for a little while, in anticipation of further episodes, we have applied for permission to use additional parts of the warehouse for filming. To avoid delay, we have applied now as a precautionary measure so that we can get going with expanding our set if another series is commissioned by the BBC. “

The production company has asked Monmouthshire council if it can turn the rest of the warehouse into TV studio’s, offices, stores and car parking as producers hope filming of the show will run for five years.

The extension will enable the creation of bigger and better sets for use in the production of a second series of the show. It is hoped that confirmation of funding for the next series will be announced shortly, resulting in more investment to the local economy and securing hundreds of local jobs.

If planning permission is approved, the work will be carried out early next year in time for filming in the spring and the airing of the series in autumn 2014.