Film crews have descended on Shepton Mallet this week, with production taking place in and around the town and at the historic Shepton Mallet Prison, which has temporarily closed its doors to visitors for the shoot.

The prison, a popular filming location, will remain closed until September 7th, with production wrapping up by September 13th.

While the production company has yet to officially announce the details of the film being shot, rumours are circulating that it's the upcoming prison thriller Wasteman, a highly anticipated feature from director Calum Macdiarmid. The film stars David Jonsson, best known for his role in Rye Lane, alongside Tom Blyth, who played the young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes.

Shepton Mallet Prison has been a popular filming location for several notable productions, including Paddington 2 (2017), where scenes of Paddington's prison stay were shot, and the ITV series Des (2020) starring David Tennant. Other productions include the Channel 4 drama The Fear (2012), the thriller The Last Witness (2018), Backdraft 2 (2019), and the paranormal reality show Ghost Hunters International (2008). Most recently, it served as a location for Wicked Little Letters (2023), further cementing its status as a sought-after location for film and TV.

While the filming is underway, locals and visitors eagerly speculate on the final production, with many excited to see Shepton Mallet Prison featured on the big screen once again. The prison's owners teased on social media, "Who is excited to see what is being filmed!?"

Shepton Mallet Prison will reopen to the public on September 7th, allowing visitors to explore the location's rich history once again after the film crew wraps up.