Genre:  an 8 hour made for TV miniseries, Drama, Book adaptation

Synopsis: This miniseries is based on the novel by Ken Follett.  The plot of the suspense thriller set in 12th century England involves war, religious strife and power struggles as well as two interwoven love stories. It is based on the building of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, England.

David Oakes Role:

William Hamleigh

Filming Details:

Filming began June 22, 2009 in Austria and Hungary.

Broadcast Details

Aired in US August 2010. Expected to be shown on UK TV Autumn 2010

Notable Facts:

Ken Follett has written about how Salisbury Cathedral was one of his inspirations as he researched The Pillars of the Earth. The director of The Pillars of the Earth, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, visited Salisbury Cathedral in 2008. Elements of the real Salisbury Cathedral were filmed, and can be seen on screen in the adaptation.

An unexpected personal link between Salisbury Cathedral and The Pillars Of The Earth emerged, since David was educated at Bishop Wordsworth School in Salisbury's Cathedral Close and is also the son of a current Canon of Salisbury Cathedral - Jeremy Oakes.

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