Cape Town sets the scene for US series

Published Jul 23, 2014

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Cape Town - Spotlit and filled with white flowers, St George’s Cathedral was the star attraction on Tuesday when the US TV series Homeland filmed an episode there involving a funeral.

The series is filming its fourth season in Cape Town.

Outdoor spotlights, including one held high on a “cherrypicker”, were aimed at the cathedral’s stained glass windows so that from the inside the colours glowed like jewels.

Massive white flower displays lined the nave, and a coffin was on a plinth in front of the altar. “Mourners” dressed in black and grey milled around near the coffin.

Outside in Government Avenue a row of limousines and a hearse, all with US state of Virginia number plates, were lined up along the wrought-iron fence, as dry brown leaves drifted like confetti from the oak trees above.

In the churchyard behind the fence, complete with temporary tombstones and shrubs studded with plastic flowers, more “mourners” drifted about. Actress Claire Danes, who plays CIA agent Carrie Mathison, was surrounded by crew during shooting but was instantly recognisable, with her long blond hair and severe black trenchcoat.

Fake tears, sombre faces and hugs fooled passersby. “Who died? Who’s in the coffin?” asked a woman.

Members of the film crew with twisty wires disappearing into their ears bustled about in the avenue.

The director and other staff sat in their seats, yelling: “And action.”

The storyline came to life on TV monitors in front of them.

At the weekend the cast was spotted transforming Darling Street into Islamabad, Pakistan.

Channel24 reports that the show occupied a few blocks of the CBD as scenes outside the Eastern Food Bazaar were filmed.

Danes was filmed in a taxi driving down a busy street with street children banging on the car windows. - Cape Argus

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