Up Holland seminary St Joseph’s College to feature in BBC drama Apparitions starring Martin Shaw

Nov 6 2008 by Gemma Jaleel, Skelmersdale Advertiser

martin shaw teaser

AN UP HOLLAND seminary will have its second starring role in a month in a new BBC drama.

St Joseph's College, at Walthew Park on Stoney Brow, will be featured in Apparitions, a six-part drama starring Martin Shaw as a Jesuit priest drawn into the world of exorcism.

The series will follow Shaw as he investigates the paranormal when a 10-year-old girl approaches him, convinced that her father is possessed by a demon.

The Grade II listed building has proved a perfect setting for the supernatural drama, with its eerie corridors and rooms.

Christopher Barr, a director of Anglo International Holdings which now owns the building, said the firm was delighted to allow film crews in.

He said: “It’s a very grand institution and set in very grand surroundings.”

Last month, Hollyoaks actors descended on the location when evil Niall Rafferty, played by Barry Sloane, kidnapped the McQueen family and blew up the church.

St Joseph's College was founded in 1880 by Bishop Bernard O'Reilly as a training school Catholic priests.

The college closed in 1987 and was sold to Anglo International who plan to convert the building to 92 apartments, with 220 new build enabling units.

l Apparitions is on next Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.