Behind the scenes: War of the Worlds

Peaceful Edwardian England turns into a chaotic warzone and then an apocalyptic world of red weed, in the new mini-series of HG Wells’ classic.

Peter Harness (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell for TV) adapted the novel into three parts in Mammoth Screen’s production for the BBC, directed by Craig Viveiros (And Then There Were None).

Relocating the landscape from Surrey to the North of England, the production shot in and around Liverpool including at a former oil-blending plant turned make-shift studio on the Birkenhead docks.

At the time of the story’s turn of the twentieth century setting Britain is the world’s superpower but the invasion begins to sap the life from the seat of empire.

The contrast between the industrial power of man and the creeping alien world is reflected in the organic sound design of the title sequence which sets the tone for the series.

“Craig wanted the world to feel vibrant, full and powerful,” says Tony Gibson, sound effects editor, Molinare. “We talked a lot about…