Parliament is set to be swarmed with staged armed police and emergency services today as filming commences for a Netflix thriller.
Filming for a new thriller is underway this weekend at the Palace of Westminster and along the River Thames, with the public being told not to be concerned by scenes that may appear strikingly realistic.
The production, a series titled The Lords' Day, involves actors portraying armed police officers and staged emergency scenarios around the parliamentary estate on Saturday and Sunday.
Specialist vehicles are also being deployed as part of the shoot, which takes place this weekend.
The drama is based on Michael Dobbs's novel depicting a siege unfolding inside the Houses of Parliament during the State Opening of Parliament, and is being produced for the streaming platform by Bad Wolf.
Notices have been erected in the area to alert passers-by that a film crew is at work.
Bad Wolf, the Cardiff-based company responsible for hit programmes such as Doctor Who, His Dark Materials and Industry, is behind the production.
The Lords' Day centres on a hostage situation within the iconic parliamentary building, dramatising events from Dobbs's novel set against the ceremonial backdrop of the State Opening.
Visitors to the Westminster area over the weekend may encounter performers dressed in police tactical gear, alongside vehicles typically associated with emergency responses.
The scenes are entirely simulated and form part of a licensed shoot that has been fully coordinated with parliamentary authorities.
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Westminster is no stranger to serving as a backdrop for screen productions, having previously hosted crews working on Darkest Hour, Suffragette and Anatomy of a Scandal.
A spokesman for the UK Parliament confirmed the nature of the activity, stating: "A licensed film production is taking place on and around parts of the parliamentary estate over the weekend."
He added: "Members of the public may see actors portraying armed police officers, specialist vehicles and simulated incidents as part of the filming."
The spokesman emphasised: "These activities are part of a controlled and authorised production, and there is no incident or emergency on the parliamentary estate."
Signage has been positioned throughout the filming locations to ensure members of the public are aware of what is taking place.
The Houses of Parliament has a well-established history as a filming location, with previous productions shot on the estate including Darkest Hour, Suffragette and Anatomy of a Scandal.
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