Ben Whishaw gets in character as a disgraced MP's lover while filming scenes with onscreen girlfriend Michelle Fox for new drama A Very English Scandal

By EKIN KARASIN and MARC JACKSON FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

He plays the lover of a disgraced politician in the upcoming BBC drama A Very English Scandal.

And Ben Whishaw threw himself into the character on Thursday, as he was pictured filming scenes in Bridgend, Wales.

The 37-year-old Bond actor cut a downcast figure as he arrived onset, layering a puffa jacket over a leather coat and pinstripe trousers. 

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In character: Ben Whishaw threw himself into the role of a disgraced politician's lover on Thursday, as he was pictured filming scenes for A Very English Scandal in Wales

In character: Ben Whishaw threw himself into the role of a disgraced politician's lover on Thursday, as he was pictured filming scenes for A Very English Scandal in Wales

Ben was joined by his onscreen girlfriend Lyn, who is being played by Limerick-born actress Michelle Fox.

The Casualty star embodied the Sixties in a blue dress and chic printed cape coat, which she teamed with white tights.

Adding height to her petite frame, Michelle rocked a quirky pair of white block heels and completed the look with bouffant hair and dramatic eye make-up. 

Ben plays Norman Scott, the ex-lover of MP Jeremy Thorpe - played by Hugh Grant.  

Glum: The 37-year-old Bond actor cut a downcast figure as he arrived in a puffa jacket over a leather coat and pinstripe trousers

Glum: The 37-year-old Bond actor cut a downcast figure as he arrived in a puffa jacket over a leather coat and pinstripe trousers

Chic: Ben was joined by his onscreen girlfriend Lyn, who is being played by Limerick-born actress Michelle Fox
Chic: Ben was joined by his onscreen girlfriend Lyn, who is being played by Limerick-born actress Michelle Fox

Chic: Ben was joined by his onscreen girlfriend Lyn, who is being played by Limerick-born actress Michelle Fox

Retro: The Casualty star embodied the Sixties in a blue dress and chic printed cape coat, which she teamed with white tights

Retro: The Casualty star embodied the Sixties in a blue dress and chic printed cape coat, which she teamed with white tights

Gritty role: Ben plays Norman Scott, the ex-lover of MP Jeremy Thorpe - played by Hugh Grant

Gritty role: Ben plays Norman Scott, the ex-lover of MP Jeremy Thorpe - played by Hugh Grant

The MP fell from grace after he was put on trial for conspiracy and incitement to murder in connection to an attempted hit on Norman Scot.

Whishaw was seen riding a horse through a stable yard while filming in Chittlehampton, Devon, on Tuesday.

Four Weddings and a Funeral star Hugh, 57, who was also pictured onset, dressed in a smart rust-coloured coat and bore a striking resemblance to Thorpe. 

Killer footwear: Adding height to her petite frame, Michelle rocked a quirky pair of white block heels

Killer footwear: Adding height to her petite frame, Michelle rocked a quirky pair of white block heels

Swinging Sixties: She completed the look with bouffant hair and dramatic eye make-up

Swinging Sixties: She completed the look with bouffant hair and dramatic eye make-up

Just hanging out: Ben appeared to be in great spirits as he chatted away to extras in between takes 

Just hanging out: Ben appeared to be in great spirits as he chatted away to extras in between takes 

What a phoney character: He looked intent as he took a fraught call in a telephone box during one take 

What a phoney character: He looked intent as he took a fraught call in a telephone box during one take 

A stern-looking Hugh slipped into character with ease as he chatted to a production assistant. He was later acquitted on all charges. He passed away in 2014, aged 85.

Jeremy was MP for North Devon from 1959 to 1979 and leader of the Liberal Party between 1967 and 1976. 

Despite his acquittal, the high-profile trial marked the end of his political career.

Scandalously realistic: Hugh Grant appeared to throw himself in to character as he portrayed disgraced MP Jeremy Thorpe on the set of A Very English Scandal

Scandalously realistic: Meanwhile, Hugh was throwing himself into the role of MP Jeremy Thorpe during filming on Tuesday

True story: The Four Weddings and a Funeral star, 57, was shooting the new BBC TV series, which tells the story of Liberal Party member Thorpe

True story: The Four Weddings and a Funeral star, 57, was shooting the new BBC TV series, which tells the story of Liberal Party member Thorpe

Starry cast: The MP fell from grace after he was put on trial for conspiracy and incitement to murder in connection to an attempted hit on his ex lover, Norman Scott - played by Ben Whishaw (above) in the drama

Starry cast: The MP fell from grace after he was put on trial for conspiracy and incitement to murder in connection to an attempted hit on his ex lover, Norman Scott

Dapper: Hugh looked every inch the Seventies politician as he was escorted to the set by a production assistant

Dapper: Hugh looked every inch the Seventies politician as he was escorted to the set by a production assistant

In one scene shot last month, Grant was spotted popping open a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne on set with fellow actress Patricia Hodge.

The Miranda actress plays Thorpe's mother, Ursula, in the three-part programme. 

The series also features Monica Dolan, Jason Watkins and Adrian Scarborough and is written by former Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies.

It is set to be a skyrocketing success with Amazon already snapping up the rights to air the drama in the US. 

Riding into scandal: Whishaw was also on the shoot in Chittlehampton, Devon, being seen riding a horse through a stable yard

Riding into scandal: Whishaw was also on the shoot in Chittlehampton, Devon, being seen riding a horse through a stable yard

Briefing: A stern-looking Hugh slipped into character with ease as he chatted to a production assistant

Briefing: A stern-looking Hugh slipped into character with ease as he chatted to a production assistant

Double take! Hollywood heartthrob Hugh, 57, looked the spitting image of late disgraced MP Jeremy Thorpe on set late last year
Politician: Jeremy Thorpe was leader of the Liberal Party From 1967 To 1976 and was the MP for North Devon from 1959 to 1979

Double take! Hollywood heartthrob Hugh, 57, (L) looked the spitting image of late disgraced MP Jeremy Thorpe (R) on set last month

Hugh is making a huge comeback to the small screen since he starred in comedy television series The Nanny in 1996.

The actor is best known for his stellar acting career in major Hollywood movies from Bridget Jones Diary to Notting Hill.

He first gained experience in television throughout the 1980s on shows including The Detective and Jenny's War.

Highly-anticipated: Alongside Grant and Hodge, the series also features Monica Dolan, Jason Watkins and Adrian Scarborough and is written by former Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies 

Highly-anticipated: Alongside Grant and Hodge, the series also features Monica Dolan, Jason Watkins and Adrian Scarborough and is written by former Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies 

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