BBC's Beyond Paradise leans into South West myths
BBCThe latest series of BBC TV comedy-drama Beyond Paradise is leaning into the myths and legends of the South West.
The drama, set in the fictional Devon town of Shipton Abbott, is predominately filmed in Looe, Cornwall, as well as other parts of both counties.
Its producers said that, unlike previous episodes, series four, currently being broadcast, paid homage by diving into the region's Celtic-inspired mythology, from mermaids, the Green Man and pirates, to the darker side of Morris traditions, all rooted in local unique storytelling heritage.
Plymouth-born actor Zahra Ahmadi, who plays police officer Esther Williams, said she enjoyed it looking at stories "culturally relevant to the area".
Steve Patterson, director and curator of folklore and witchcraft at Gwithti an Pystri Museum in Falmouth, said the latest series featured Cornish folklore-inspirations, including from the story of the Mermaid of Zennor - "probably the most famous mermaid story in Cornwall".
He said: "The Mermaid of Zennor was immortalised on a late medieval bench end in Zennor Church."
He said the mermaid, called Morvehen, fell in love with a parish church chorister Matty Trewhela, seduced him into the sea at Pendour Cove and he was never seen again.
It was believed they swam away together in her underwater home, he added.
Zahra Ahmadi said she identified with stories being reflected in the Death in Paradise offshoot's latest episodes.
She said: "I love that... it's really leaning into celebrating the storytelling culture of this region in the UK."
She also described one local tale that had stayed with her.
She said: "A great teacher I had at primary school read many Dartmoor tales to us and one I always remember is the Hairy Hands."
The myth, first suggested in June 1921, describes a pair of dismembered hairy hands on a narrow moors lane near Postbridge and Princetown grabbing the steering wheel or handlebars of a vehicle and do their upmost to drive people off the road.
Are the Hairy Hands about to turn up in Shipton Abbot? Viewers can find out by watching Beyond Paradise on the BBC iPlayer.
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