ITV plans to shoot a thriller series close to the Trafford Centre before construction starts on a water park and wellness spa on the site.

The site, which was the home of Event City until its demolition this year, is set to be redeveloped into the £250m Therme Manchester.

An application for permission for the water park and wellness spa was approved in 2020 but this is set to be resubmitted after a partnership between Peel L&P and Therme Group used the pause of the pandemic to tweak its plan. The construction is scheduled for this year.

The Messenger understands ITV plans to shoot a thriller series – After the Flood – close to the Trafford Centre before construction starts.

Created by BAFTA-nominated actor and writer Mick Ford and produced in partnership with Quay Street, it stars Sophie Rundle (Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders) as PC Joanna Marshall, who investigates after man is discovered dead in the lift of a car park after a flood.

It also stars Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton, Sherwood), Matt Stokoe (Bodyguard, Jamestown), Nicholas Gleaves (The Crown, Demon Headmaster) and Philip Glenister (Ashes to Ashes, Life on Mars) among others.

Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee, executive producers at Quay Street, said: "When Mick Ford brought the kernel of the idea of After the Flood to us, we were immediately drawn in. Not just by the catastrophic repercussions of a deadly environmental disaster in a town that could very well be our own, but also the intricacies and deception at the heart of the characters’ stories. 

"We have a brilliant combination of writing, directing and acting talent on board to bring this series to life and we’re looking forward to working with our partners at ITV and BritBox International as we begin filming."

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The filming is also in other parts of Greater Manchester and elsewhere in the North of England.

After the Flood will air on ITV in the UK and will air on BritBox International in other markets.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.