THE makers of a new drama telling the life story of one of the North’s most notorious female serial killers descended on Saltburn today (Tuesday, September 8).

Dark Angel stars Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt and follows the life of Mary Ann Cotton, the Victorian poisoner who was convicted of killing three of her four husbands, but could have had a further 21 victims including many of her children.

She was hanged for murder in Durham Jail in 1873.

Ms Froggatt, who was born and brought up near Whitby, plays the lead role following her award-winning depiction of ladies’ maid Anna Bates in ITV’s Downton Abbey.

Saltburn Road was sealed off and residents were asked to park their cars away from the site so filming could begin in the Ship Inn's beer garden.

The front car park has become the seating area for the pub during the production work, but landlords Lisa and Ian Burton have said business will be open as usual throughout and food will be served as normal.

Filming in Saltburn will take place until Thursday while filming for the production generally is taking place in North Yorkshire and County Durham.

The drama is inspired by the book Mary Ann Cotton: Britain’s First Female Serial Killer by David Wilson. It has been written by Gwyneth Hughes, will be directed by Downton Abbey director Brian Percival, who directed Downton Abbey, and is due for release in the New Year.