On the gorgeous Isle of Man, the brand-new drama series Maryland has captivated viewers with a narrative of family and secrets.
The finale of the three-part ITV series co-created by Gentleman Jack’s Suranne Jones will air at 9 p.m. on May 24. The series examines grief and deceit through the lens of a broken family.
Jones and House of the Dragon actress Eve Best play estranged sisters who reconcile after their mother’s death.
The pair must learn to forgive one another as they unravel her life’s buried mysteries.
The story takes place on the Isle of Man, but due to a peculiar tax loophole, none of the actual filming took place there.
Where was Maryland filmed?
The majority of the show takes place on the small Isle of Man, which is known for its dramatic seascapes and rural village vistas, as well as in the bustling metropolis of Manchester, where the characters reside.
Anne-Marie O’Connor, the show’s co-creator, previously stated that she was ‘disappointed’ that Maryland was not filmed on location on the Isle of Man.
‘I was really disappointed not to use the Isle of Man. There’s a real specificity to the island,’ she admitted to Radio Times.
The majority of the filming took place in Ireland, which was a more than adequate replacement.
She said: ‘I lived in Ireland for a time. I went to university in Galway for a year, all my family are from Tipperary. My writing career started there.’
‘I’ve got such a kinship with Ireland, and I go there all the time. All the family are there.’
Maryland was ultimately shot on the Howth Peninsula, near Dublin, and the Isle of Wight.
Why was Maryland not filmed on the Isle of Man?
Clearly, Anne-Marie desired to film the programme on the Isle of Man, but she was unable to do so due to a technicality that affects all British productions.
Alex Allison, the then-Minister for Enterprise, told Isle of Man Today that the production decision was based on a tax issue, as the island has no provisions for corporate tax.
He explained that there is a tax credit mechanism for UK productions to receive upfront funding if they fall within the corporation tax framework.
Due to the absence of this tax on the island, they were unable to provide the same funding for the performance.
It is believed that other remedies and concepts, such as assistance with road closures and equipment, could have been provided, but nothing was agreed upon and the decision to film in Ireland was made.
O’Connor added: ‘I think we’ve done a really good job of selling the Isle of Man with Ireland and the locations that we found.’
Who stars in Maryland?
Best and Jones play Rosaline and Becca, the sisters, while Gentleman Jack’s George Costigan portrays Richard, their father.
Oscar-nominated Stockard Channing, best known for her role as Rizzo in Grease, makes an unanticipated cameo appearance in the programme.
The 79-year-old actress portrays the mysterious Cathy, a mother’s companion.
In addition to Hugh Quarshie and Dean Lennox Kelly, Gavin and Stacey’s Andrew Knott, who plays Becca’s spouse, rounds out the cast.
Catch the Maryland finale on ITV tonight at 9pm or watch the whole series now on ITVX
Source My Celebrity Life.