FACES from across Wharfedale will be appearing on our television screens over the coming weeks in seven-part BBC fantasy series Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

Set in England in the early 19th century, the BBC series which began on Sunday night (May 17) presents an alternate history with the addition of magic and mystery, based on a bestselling novel of the same name by Susanna Clarke.

Ilkley Moor is among regional landmarks set to appear on television screens nationwide as the series is screened - but many local people also make up the extensive team of extras.

Ben Rhydding casting agent, Paula McKie, found most of the extras locally, including Ilkley ward councillor, Anne Hawkesworth, who will make an appearance as The Bird Lady.

Paula, who runs Agency Oakroyd, was approached by the production company and asked to find extras for a period drama. She set about finding faces suitable for a period drama, with natural hair colour and without waxed or plucked eyebrows.

"I had artistes from all over the region working on Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, including people from Addingham, Ilkley, Ben Rhydding, Guiseley and Otley, from October 2013 through to February 2014," she said.

Paula has also provided extras for many other films and productions, including feature film Testament of Youth, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and last year, she was involved in film Miss You Already, which brought top actresses Drew Barrymore and Tony Collette to film on location on Ilkley Moor.

She revealed she could also be providing extras for a forthcoming ITV costume drama, entitled Jericho.

Paul says local faces have already put in an appearance in Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, with two of the extras talking to one of the main characters in the opening scene on Sunday being from Wharfedale.

The filming of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Eddie Marsan and Olivier award-winning Bertie Carvel, is also said to have given a boost to the region's economy

Creative England, an organisation dedicated to the growth of the creative industries, was consulted by production company Cuba Films early on advice for shooting the adaptation, and it believes about £18,000 per day was spent filming in Yorkshire.

Among the locations used for filming were landmarks such as York Minster, Fountains Abbey, and Wentworth Castle Gardens, as well as Ilkley Moor.