Halifax on the small screen again in new Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge

Happy Valley. Last Tango in Halifax. The Moorside. Calderdale and Halifax are fast-becoming filming hotspots for the small screen.
Ackley BridgeAckley Bridge
Ackley Bridge

And new drama Ackley Bridge is likely to cement its place as a 'go to' destination for film and television crews.

Shot on location in Halifax, there'll be plenty of opportunities for location spotting when the Channel 4 8pm drama airs in a couple of weeks.

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It tells the story of fictional Yorkshire mill town Ackley Bridge, which is home to largely divided white and asian populations.

Some of the cast at Thursday night's screening of Ackley BridgeSome of the cast at Thursday night's screening of Ackley Bridge
Some of the cast at Thursday night's screening of Ackley Bridge

Like the communities, the school systems have also become segregated and the drama sees two formerly isolated comprehensives merged into a brand new academy and all the trials and tribulations among teachers, parents, pupils and support staff that that creates.

The former St Catherine's High School, Holmfield, was transformed into Ackley Bridge College for the series, which was also used for Henry Winkler's (The Fonz) children's television series Hank Zipzer.

A special screening of the drama was shown on Thursday night at the school. It followed a youth panel debate with Halifax parliamentary candidates Holly Lynch, Chris Pearson, James Baker and Mark Weedon, where youngsters from schools across Calderdale grilled those vying for their votes on everything from school funding and the NHS to engaging young people in politics and lowering the voting age.