PROVIDING the most stunning of backdrops, the Isle of Wight is the star of BritBox's new TV series, The Beast Must Die.

Director Dome Karukoski has brought a stellar cast to live on the Island for several weeks, along with a huge crew and production team.

Local support actors, in their hundreds, have been drafted in too.

The County Press has been granted use of these behind the scenes images, to show Islanders a sneaky peek of what has been going on.Isle of Wight County Press:

There are only a few days of filming left, in what has provided a bit of excitement, not to mention a huge financial boost to several businesses, during this most difficult of years.

Before being allowed on set, everyone has had to be tested for Covid-19 and provide a negative result.

These hundreds of tests, combined with other strict Covid-secure measures, has allowed filming to continue as scheduled in dozens of locations, from Bembridge to Alum Bay, Yarmouth to Ventnor.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Director Karukoski exclusively told the County Press his family had been welcomed to the Island with open arms and the actors wanted to move here.

The thriller stars Bafta award winner Jared Harris, Cush Jumbo, Geraldine James and Nathaniel Parker.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The series is an adaption of the 1938 novel The Beast Must Die by Nicholas Blake, the nom de plume of poet Cecil Day-Lewis, father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis.

It tells the story of a grieving mother who infiltrates the life of the man she believes killed her son.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Britbox is an ITV and BBC streaming service and it will show the series in 2021.

Island People Agency, run by Dadina Sagger, has provided local support actors, and helped find locations.

Isle of Wight County Press: