A new version of Jekyll and Hyde, filmed around Medway, comes to our television screens this evening.

Much of the production of the ITV adaption of Robert Louis Stevenson’s original story was filmed in Rochester High Street, Chatham’s Historic Dockyard and Fort Amherst.

The cast, including Tom Bateman in the lead role and Withnail and I actor Richard E Grant, made several visits to the Towns at the beginning of this year.

Shops were commandeered in the historic part of Rochester as crews transformed them into a 1930s London street scene.

They recreated shopfronts removing any tell-tale modern signs such as burglar alarms.

The 10-part series, written by Fast Show comic and novelist Charlie Higson, focuses on the grandson of the original famed doctor, the troubled hero Robert Jekyll.

He told a TV conference earlier this year: “It’s a superhero Jekyll and Hyde – about Dr Jekyll’s grandson, who doesn’t know anything about who he is or why he’s like he is.

“He can turn into someone else, nobody knows it’s him and he can do all the things he dreams about, so I thought there was a lot you could do with it that was new and exciting.”

Bateman, who played the lead role in the West End show of Shakespeare in Love, takes on the dual part of Robert Jekyll and Dr Hyde.

Grant plays Sir Roger Bulstrode, boss of a secret government department, while ex-Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede, a Strictly Come Dancing finalist in 2013, is Bella, Jekyll’s love interest.

As well as filming in Medway, crew and cast have also been at other locations in Kent, including Elmley Nature Reserve on Sheppey.

Filming took place in Kent over 28 days with an extra 34 days pre and post-production days between February and July, with the production team spending an estimated £720,000 in the county.

Series producer Foz Allan said: “As a Kent-based producer, it is always a pleasure to film in the county.

“The series has some great talent behind it and will be a thrilling watch.”

Cllr Howard Doe, who is in charge of Medway tourism and heritage, said: “I am thrilled that Medway has once again been selected as a filming location.

"With a wide range of landscapes and so much rich heritage on offer, it has become a popular location for many films and television programmes over the years, helping to put Medway firmly on the map.”

Tonight’s opening episode will see Jekyll living in India with his foster parents, knowing nothing about his biological family or his inherited condition.

Jekyll finds himself transforming into his alter-ego Hyde, who is seemingly capable of anything, at times of stress, anger and when lives are at risk.

• Jekyll and Hyde starts tonight at 6.30pm on ITV.