Series filmed in Taunton picked up by US streaming service

Mint Ville was created by Taunton-born showrunner, writer and director Harvey Slade, 22, who has filmed, starred in and edited the new eight-episode TV series.

He spent the past three and a half years, while working as an Uber Eats driver, bringing the fast-paced comedy thriller to life from his grandparents’ garage in Taunton - alongside a group of actors and writers volunteering their time.

Behind the scenes of the crew filming the new series. (Image: Mint Ville Press Office)

According to executive producer Anna Regan, the garage did not always align spatially with the programme's 'highly choreographed fight scenes', but it did have its 'perks'.

One of those is that it comes with Harvey's grandparents Lyn, 72, and Ray, 76, who acted in the series themselves - their first forays into acting.

Another is the props provided, including shovels which came in handy for a recently filmed hole-digging scene.

Harvey said: "The garage of all the filming locations is the most convenient because my granddad's rule is you can use anything so long as it's in the same place I left it.

"I'm lucky to have a lot of space in there.

"My lovely grandparents have always helped me find anything I need - they are both in it actually.

"But it does get extremely hot in there."

Behind the scenes filming of new comedy thriller series Mint Ville. (Image: Mint Ville Press Office)

Anna said: “Working in the garage is actually so useful from a writing perspective.

“I was writing a fight scene in the garage, and I already know what's in the garage and what it looks like, so it almost writes itself in a way.

“It’s great to have all the props - we had to do a scene also on Monday where we had to dig a hole outside, and we had so many shovels available in the garage.

“There's a lot we can do because of it.”

The cast and crew also filmed in locations including Bristol, Wellington, Weston-super-Mare and Wales.

Harvey added: "Anywhere that you film can be used as a set - it's just learning to be respectful.

"The neighbours love it, they get curious more than anything - one of them was very kind and let us film a couple of scenes in their front garden.

“I put a little note through her post box asking for permission to film, and she contacted me back to say I was more than welcome.”

The fast-paced comedy thriller is set in the fictional Somerset town of Mint Ville and follows a group of sixth-form students who take on a drag-queen cocaine drug lord called Esmarelda and her army of thugs.

Behind-the-scenes filming of drag-queen drug lord Esmarelda. (Image: Mint Ville Press Office)

According to the team behind the show, it balances suspense with slapstick humour and 'larger than life' characters.

See the trailer here.

The show has now been picked up by a US streaming service, and the pilot episode of Mint Ville will be available on Kold Open in the US, with the first four episodes of the series shared for UK viewers on YouTube on June 25, July 2, 9, and 16.

Behind the scenes filming of new comedy thriller series Mint Ville. (Image: Mint Ville Press Office)

There are also screenings of the show in Taunton, and Harvey encourages anyone local to Somerset to come along - dates will be advertised on the Mint Ville social media accounts.

The team has said they are also starting to pitch the series for a full budget production later this month.

Harvey said that at a time when 'young people are struggling to find work generally, let alone in competitive creative industries', this marks a success story. 

He said: "It shows that no matter the constraints or challenges you face, you can always find a way to get something done."

Viewers will be able to watch episodes on YouTube later this month.

When asked which three words they would use to summarise the show, the pair both said:

Harvey: “Unique, chaotic and thrilling.”

Anna: “Camp, comedic and thrilling.”