PIC EXCL: James Norton is seen filming for the Bob Marley biopic after Happy Valley finale
PICTURE EXCLUSIVE Tommy’s miracle recovery! James Norton is up bright and early filming for the Bob Marley biopic outside the reggae star’s Chelsea home… hours after explosive Happy Valley finale
James Norton was up bright and early Monday morning filming for the Bob Marley biopic.
The British actor, 37, looked in good spirits as he chatted to his fellow cast members between takes on the Chelsea street in London.
Wearing a warm brown suede jacket and a blue button-up shirt for his role, James was seen in the capital first thing – the morning after the explosive Happy Valley finale where he starred as psychopathic murderer Tommy Lee Royce.
The lead of the biopic, Kingsley Ben-Adir, was on set as well, and wore a khaki green ribbed jumper and matching green beanie hat.
They were joined by fellow actor Eddie Redmayne’s parents Richard and Patricia who chatted to the stars before they filmed scenes for the Paramount film.
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Bright and early! James Norton was up bright and early Monday morning filming for the Bob Marley biopic as the reggae legend’s Island Records boss Chris Blackwell
Norton’s light brunette locks were worn in a curly tousled style and his light-wash denim shirt was telling of the era he is acting within.
He wore a pair of darker blue denim straight-legged jeans and added a brown leather belt.
He slipped into a pair of brown flat sneakers and he wrapped up warm with a padded Canada Goose coat in-between takes.
Lead man Kingsley, 36, looked exactly like the late reggae star with dreadlocks and a beard.
He wore a green light jacket which matched his jumper and hat, then wore a pair of blue jeans with a black leather belt.
The London-born actor, who featured in Peaky Blinders as Colonel Ben Younger in series five, carried a purple leather briefcase for the scene.
They were filming just outside of Bob Marley’s home in Chelsea, which has a blue English Heritage plaque to commemorate the location he lived in during his time in the capital.
Also seen in her character was Umi Myers who plays Bob’s girlfriend.
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Star: The lead of the biopic, Kingsley Ben-Adir, was on set as well, and wore a khaki green ribbed jumper and matching green beanie hat
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Good spirits: The British actor, 37, chatted to his fellow cast members between takes on the Chelsea street in London
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Costume: Wearing a warm brown suede jacket and a blue button-up shirt for his role, James was seen in the capital first thing – the morning after the explosive Happy Valley finale where he starred as psychopathic murderer Tommy Lee Royce
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Stopping by: They were also joined by fellow actor Eddie Redmayne’s parents Richard Redmayne and Patricia Redmayne who chatted to the stars before they filmed scenes for the Paramount film
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Wrapped up: Norton’s light brunette locks were worn in a curly tousled style and his light-wash denim shirt was telling of the era he is acting within
She wore a cream coat and a pair of white tailored trousers over a cream mesh top.
Her raven tresses were styled in neat voluminous curls and she wore a full face of glamorous make-up, including a classic red lip.
James also jumped in a old-school blue car which was one of several parked up on the street for filming.
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Actor: Lead man Kingsley, 36, looked exactly like the late reggae star with dreadlocks and a beard. He wore a green light jacket which matched his jumper and hat, then wore a pair of blue jeans with a black leather belt
![](https://london24news.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LOGO2.png)
In role: The London-born actor, who featured in Peaky Blinders as Colonel Ben Younger in series five, carried a purple leather briefcase for the scene
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Perform: Also seen in her character was Umi Myers who plays Bob’s girlfriend
His appearance comes after the explosive finale of Happy Valley excited fans on Sunday night.
The Sun reports that James is said to be playing Island Records boss Chris Blackwell, who helped make Bob a huge star.
A source told the publication: ‘James’ role is a closely guarded secret – his casting hasn’t even been announced. He is a phenomenal actor and is a great addition to the cast.’
Lashana Lynch has also been cast in the film, as Bob’s wife Rita, while Reinaldo Marcus Green is directing.
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New: James slipped into a pair of brown flat sneakers and he wrapped up warm with a padded Canada Goose coat in-between takes
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Early start: He wore a pair of darker blue denim straight-legged jeans and added a brown leather belt
![](https://london24news.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LOGO2.png)
Acting: James also jumped in a old-school blue car which was one of several parked up on the street for filming
![](https://london24news.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LOGO2.png)
Vintage: His appearance comes after the explosive finale of Happy Valley excited fans on Sunday night
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Chat: The Sun reports that James is said to be playing Island Records boss Chris Blackwell, who helped make Bob a huge star
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Film: They were filming just outside of Bob Marley’s home in Chelsea, which has a blue English Heritage plaque to commemorate the location he lived in during his time in the capital
The London street that the were filming on was adorned with old school parking metres and vintage police cars.
Looking at the life, career and tragic 1981 death of the legendary reggae singer, the yet-to-be named film will reportedly have his family serving as producers on set.
The film is also thought to be heading to the music icon’s home country of Jamaica to film some scenes of the biopic.
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On set: A source told the publication: ‘James’ role is a closely guarded secret – his casting hasn’t even been announced. He is a phenomenal actor and is a great addition to the cast’
![](https://london24news.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LOGO2.png)
Filming: Lashana Lynch has also been cast in the film, as Bob’s wife Rita, while Reinaldo Marcus Green is directing
![](https://london24news.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LOGO2.png)
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Costume: The London street that the were filming on was adorned with old school parking metres and vintage police cars
![](https://london24news.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LOGO2.png)
Girlfriend: She wore a cream coat and a pair of white tailored trousers over a cream mesh top. Her raven tresses were styled in neat voluminous curls and she wore a full face of glamorous make-up, including a classic red lip
The musical legend died of cancer in 1981 at age 36, but his wife Rita Marley, daughter Cedella Marley and son Ziggy Marley will serve as producers on set, according to Deadline.
Bob rose to fame with his hit No Woman, No Cry in 1975, before changing the music industry with a slew of chart-topping songs after this.
And despite Kingsley playing a musical legend, the actor does not have a musical background, with director Reinaldo previously sharing that he chose him for his acting, not musical talent.
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Stepping out: The film is also thought to be heading to the music icon’s home country of Jamaica to film some scenes of the biopic
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Busy day: The musical legend died of cancer in 1981 at age 36, but his wife Rita Marley, daughter Cedella Marley and son Ziggy Marley will serve as producers on set, according to Deadline
The director told The Observer: ‘I was more interested in his acting. The same way that I approached King Richard, the two young actresses that play Venus and Serena [Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton] had no sports capabilities whatsoever. It’s about being great actors – and then training.’
Happy Valley viewers spotted a nod back to the very first episode in the closing scenes of the nail-biting finale.
The thrilling showdown between Sgt Catherine Cawood and Tommny Lee Royce resulted in the villain setting himself on fire after realising he’d reached the end of the road when he’d come to the conclusion his son Ryan was happier without him.
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Setup: Bob rose to fame with his hit No Woman, No Cry in 1975, before changing the music industry with a slew of chart-topping songs after this – and despite Kingsley playing a musical legend, the actor does not have a musical background
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Catching up: James Norton is pictured speaking to Eddie Redmayne’s parents Richard and Patricia Redmayne who happened to be passing by the set while heading out on Monday morning
And as Catherine (Sarah Lancashire) initially tried to dissuade the murderer (James Norton) from lighting the match after dousing himself in petrol, fans commented on the show coming ‘full circle’ from the opening scenes, as they praised the ‘brilliant writing’.
The BBC crime drama’s first ever episode saw Catherine head to a playground where a local boy called Liam, who was drunk and high on drugs, threatened to set himself on fire.
Taking to Twitter, fans were quick point out the striking similarities, with several noting that this was a fitting end to Catherine’s police career after all these years.
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Throwback: It comes after Happy Valley viewers spotted a nod back to the very first episode in the closing scenes of the nail-biting finale
‘#HappyValley comes full circle as Catherine deals with the threat of self-immolation at the beginning, middle and end of her tour’ commented one viewer.
With another adding :’Talk about full circle, Happy Valley started with someone trying to set themselves on fire and then it ends with Tommy Lee Royce setting himself on fire. Phenomenal writing, what a show.’
‘Well that was f**king brilliant. First time we saw Catherine she was telling someone not to set themselves on fire, and her last action as a copper was to do the very same thing’ praised a third.
‘TLR going up in flames was definitely a flashback to the first episode!!’ came the response from a fourth watcher.
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All over: The thrilling showdown between Sgt Catherine Cawood and Tommny Lee Royce resulted in the villain setting himself on fire after realising he’d reached the end of the road
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Flames: As Catherine (Sarah Lancashire) initially tried to dissuade the murderer (James Norton) from lighting the match after dousing himself in petrol, fans commented on the show coming ‘full circle’ from the opening scenes
A fifth said: ‘first episode man threatening to set himself on fire. Last episode main character does. Now that’s how you write a drama .I have cried tonight and laughed. Thank you to all involved. British drama at its absolute best.’
With another adding: ‘They’ve gone full circle!!! Right back to the first scene with the guy in the park!’
It comes as Happy Valley fans were left in shock as Tommy Lee Royce set himself on fire after an epic showdown with Sgt Catherine Cawood.
After he escaped court and broke into Catherine’s house in a bid to kill her, Tommy (James Norton) lay in wait until the officer returned home.
And fans were left screaming ‘oh my f**king God’ as the villain attempted to end his own life after telling Catherine (Sarah Lancashire) that he forgave her for keeping the news he had a son from him.
The two characters had a tense confrontation as they came face-to-face for the final time, with Tommy realising he’d reached the end of the road when he’d come to the conclusion his son Ryan was happier living with her.
As things came to a head, the escaped convict realised he had nowhere left to turn and set himself alight – before Catherine rushed to put out the flames with a blanket.
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Well spotted: Taking to Twitter, fans were quick point out the striking similarities, with several noting that this was a fitting end to Catherine’s police career after all these years