Mark Benton films new show Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough was bursting with colour this week as actor Mark Benton and Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell filmed new BBC show Smoggie Queens.

Camera crews took over Centre Square in Middlesbrough and other locations across the town as filming for the "out and out" BBC comedy got underway.

Written by Middlesbrough native Phil Dunning, the show centers around a group of friends who are fiercely proud of their hometown - and their small pocket of the LGBTQ+ community.

Filming locations have so far reportedly included The Middlesbrough Empire nightclub and at the back of Middlesbrough Town Hall.

Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

This week, a huge set was erected at the Teesside University campus, where scenes of Middlesbrough Pride event was filmed.

Fantastic pictures have captured Mark dressed in character as drag queen 'Mam' at the 'pride festival' as well as British Soap Award winner Alexandra, who plays "self-styled hun" Lucinda.

The show will also follow volatile Dickie (Dunning), awkward Sal (Patsy Lowe) and newcomer Stewart (Elijah Young) as they navigate love, life and their pride for a town that feels neglected in its own little corner of the UK.

Smoggie Queens will have six episodes, with a transmission date note yet set in stone. It is believed that crews will be filming for around five weeks.

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Phil previously said: "I’m absolutely buzzing that the BBC are taking Smoggie Queens to series and I’m so grateful to them for allowing me to write such stupid and weird characters.

"It’s been a beautiful dream working with Hat Trick, and the incredible cast already feel like my new chosen family. I can’t wait to introduce the sights, sounds and smells of Middlesbrough to the world."

Take a look at pictures from filming in our jam-packed gallery below.

Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Camera crews filming Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)