Castle Howard is taking centre stage for the filming of a new period drama this week as the BBC rolls into town for a new twist on an old tale.

An adaptation of an international bestseller Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James is being partly filmed at the historic house.

The story is a murder mystery sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice with the scene set six years into the marriage of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy.

There is little detail emerging from Castle Howard, near Malton, other than  filming is taking place both inside the house and in the grounds until July 12.

David Thompson, producer for Origin Pictures, the company behind the production said they are using Castle Howard along with Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and Harewood House, near Harrogate, as locations to represent the Darcys’ Pemberley home.

He said: ”We are delighted to be filming the drama in such stunning locations. All three stately homes are wonderful period properties which perfectly evoke the Darcys’ world.

"We have been thoroughly welcomed by everyone we’ve worked with and are thrilled we have been granted access to film in such wonderful Yorkshire settings.”

The lineup of stars includes Anna Maxwell Martin (The Bletchley Circle and South Riding) Matthew Rhys (Brothers and Sisters and the Mystery of Edwin Drood) alongside Penelope Keith and Matthew Goode, who starred in Brideshead Revisited which was also shot at Castle Howard in 2008.

Matthew Rhys, who is playing Mr Darcy, has revealed however, that there will be no repetition of the Colin Firth scene who walked dripping from the lake in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice tv series.

“The beauty of Pemberley,” he said “is that it is an entirely new and different Darcy six years on. And also, I don't have to appear from a lake in a white shirt and breeches."

One of the major stars however will undoubtedly be Castle Howard itself, although strictly speaking it’s not a castle but a country house.

The stunning Vanburgh designed house was constructed around 1700 and has become one of the most iconic period drama backdrops in the world particularly following the spectacular 1981 Granada production of Brideshead Revisited.

The three part drama, which is supported with investment from Screen Yorkshire, is due to be broadcast at Christmas.