Stevenage filming: Sir Anthony Hopkins spotted as scenes shot for BBC’s King Lear

Sir Anthony Hopkins picture talking to a member of the fim crew today. Picture Nick Brigham. (Image: Archant)

The Silence of the Lambs star is filming for a brand new BBC adaptation of the Shakespeare classic King Lear.

He was spotted dressed as a homeless person by shoppers and staff at town centre businesses.

Nick Brigham, who works at Connells estate agents, was among those who spotted the actor – who was surrounded by film crew outside the branch in Market Place.

He told the Comet: “He was dressed as a homeless person alongside a couple of other homeless people sat on a bench beside him and he was pushing a trolley along at one point.

Film crews have taken over part of the council's car park next to the Holiday Inn. Picture: Nick Brigham (Image: Archant)

“The BBC contacted us a few times and asked us if it would be OK to take our advertising board inside for the day.”

Sense and Sensibility star Emma Thompson is also to feature in the film, which is being made for the BBC by Playground and Sonia Friedman Productions.

It is being adapted and directed by award-winning director Richard Eyre.

The film will premiere on BBC Two in 2018 and other scenes for it have been shot in Hatfield.

Sir Anthony Hopkins will star in a new BBC adaptation of King Lear due out in 2018. (Image: Archant)

Set in the fictional present, King Lear sees Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins as a ruler presiding over a totalitarian military dictatorship in England.

Fellow Academy Award and BAFTA Award winner Emma Thompson stars as his oldest daughter Goneril. Academy Award nominee and BAFTA Award winner Emily Watson plays the middle daughter Regan, and rising star Florence Pugh is the youngest of Lear’s children.

Anthony Hopkins filming one of the scenes for King Lear in Market Place, Stevenage. Picture Nick Brigham. (Image: Archant)