ATHENS – The BBC thriller miniseries The Little Drummer Girl, based on a John Le Carre spy novel, finished 24 days of shooting in Greece after being allowed to film scenes at the ancient Cape Sounion when an initial rejection was overturned, according to a press release from the Hellenic Film Commission of the Greek Film Center (Ελληνικού Κέντρου Κινηματογράφου.)

“It has been an incredible experience to film ‘The Little Drummer Girl’ in the very locations described in John le Carre’s book. The immense privilege of shooting at such historically and culturally important places such as the Acropolis or Temple of Poseidon cannot be understated,” director Park Chan-wook told the Greek Film Center (GFC), describing his experience of filming in Greece.

“Greece, as the birthplace of Western drama, offers filmmakers a canvas of unique resonance and, for me, it is the perfect place to tell the story of Charlie,”  he added, speaking of a key character, said Kathimerini.

Executive producer and The Ink Factory co-CEO Simon Cornwell said the variety and scope of filming locations made it the perfect place to bring the story to life.

“The stunning locations we were able to choose would have justified coming to Greece under almost any circumstances, but on top of that, the generous support of numerous arms of government, and the highly-talented crew and support team at our wonderful partners Faliro House, has made the shoot one to remember and repeat”, he said.

The Little Drummer Girl was also shot in Athens, Elefsina, and Kinetta with a crew of 165 Greek members and 98 from the United Kingdom.

It almost didn’t happen until the country’s powerful Central Archaeological Council (KAS), which has strong influence over using archaeological sites and at first denied the BBC request before a storm of protest led to a reversal.

Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou had condemned the KAS and said the miniseries would be a powerful lure to attract visitors with Greece on a series of record year runs for tourism and wanting to add more to a sector that’s the biggest revenue engine during a long-running economic crisis.

The six-part series stars Florence Pugh and Alexander Skarsgard as the young actress holidaying in Greece and the Israeli agent who recruits her for a deadly covert mission.

Source: Greek Film Center (GFC)