Ruth Jones and James Corden are filming their new series, The Choir, in Lewes

Ruth Jones and James Corden are filming their new comedy series, The Choir, in Lewes. Filming began at the start of October and runs through the autumn, BBC Sussex reported. For the show, the town is called Alderswyck.

Filming has been taking place around Cliffe High Street. The crew emptied the Oxfam charity shop and turned it into the Alderswyck post office, then put the stock back a week later. The John Harvey Tavern became Woody’s Pub, and a car park became its beer garden. Filming has also taken place at Fitzroy House.

Some people have since turned up at the Oxfam shop with parcels to post, so its volunteers put up signs saying it isn’t a real post office.

“There’s quite a bit of buzz around town. People are coming in and asking what’s going on,” Gaz Trupja, owner of the Riverside Brasserie, told the BBC.

Some traders have had a harder time. Ashley Price, chair of Lewes Traders Group, said some traders were “losing custom” because people couldn’t get into their shops, and that filming was taking up more parking spaces in the town.

Apple TV announced the series on 6 October. It is Jones and Corden’s first project together since the Gavin & Stacey finale, and they wrote it, star in it and are executive producers. Corden plays Ben, who comes back to the small English town he left after years living abroad. Jones plays Lisa, the older sister he hasn’t seen in years. Apple’s description asks whether a struggling local choir could heal the rift between them. The BBC says the siblings are reunited at Christmas.

The cast also includes Jason Watkins, David Harewood, Susan Brown, Tom Davis and Rosie Sheehy. Hannah Waddingham, James McAvoy and Jim Broadbent have guest roles. Jennifer Sheridan and Jim Archer direct the eight episodes, which Various Artists Limited and TidyTwo are making for Apple TV. The series is due to come out in 2027. Apple hasn’t given a date.