A RYEDALE stately has once again been chosen as the setting for a new film drama.

Scampston Hall has been hosting an A-list cast, including former Doctor Who, David Tennant, for the filming of a new biopic about R D Laing, Mad to be Normal.

Filming has taken place over the last couple of weeks for the new feature length film about the famous and controversial psychiatrist.

In the drama, Scampston Hall will feature as a Hampstead mansion, and the scene of a party.

With an all-star cast which includes Tennant, who has appeared in TV's Broadchurch and films including Harry Potter, Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, Dad’s Army) and Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects), the production is already gathering a lot of attention.

Filming is also taking place in York and the city's university with about 200 students as extras.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, R G Laing, who is played by Tennant, was an international celebrity, expressing opinions which turned the psychiatric establishment firmly against him. Laing treated his patients like fellow human beings – giving them their own time and space.

In 1965 Laing set up Kingsley Hall, a therapeutic sanctuary where patients could live just as they chose. Laing became somewhat of a cult figure, with crowds flocking to hear him speak.

Mad to be Normal is being produced by Gizmo Films, an independent film production company.

Julian Hicks, executive producer, said: “The incredible regency interiors and colours of Scampston Hall make for a striking backdrop for scenes in Mad to be Normal.

"It is always refreshing to be filming outside of London, and cast and crew have been offered a particularly warm welcome at Scampston Hall by the Legard family and their team.”

Scampston Hall was most recently used as the setting for a BBC production of An Inspector Calls, starring Miranda Richardson and David Thewlis.

Chris Legard, owner of Scampston Hall, said: “We are delighted to host the crew and cast here at Scampston Hall. It’s always fascinating to see our family home on the screen, and how easily it can be transformed by a creative production team.

“It is great to see so many production companies looking to film outside of London. Yorkshire has so much to offer, we hope this will be showcased through the recent release of Dad’s Army, which was filmed in nearby Bridlington.”