Residents were horrified to find out that a film crew took a Hollywood actress to a Welsh beach renowned for seals. It comes as photos emerged of Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy filming scenes at Angel Bay on the Little Orme, between Llandudno and Penrhyn Bay.
Angel Bay is one of the top spots for viewing seals but people are discouraged from visiting during the breeding season even when seals are not visible. NorthWalesLive reports that throughout the year visitors are also asked to avoid the beach if seals are present as they may become "distressed". A sign above the beach warns visitors: “It may damage their health, stop them from breeding, or even cause them to abandon their young."
Photos of The Gorge film set showed more than 30 crew members on the beach with equipment, a tent, and a large screen. The new Apple Original movie is said to also involve Hollywood actor Sigourney Weaver and Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller. The Gorge filmmakers spent four days in the Llandudno area and also filmed at the Great Orme cemetery.
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Upon seeing the photos from Angel Bay residents and seal enthusiasts took to social media to share their concerns about the choice of filming location though wildlife experts moved to calm fears and said staff "do not believe that there was negative activity on the part of the film crew". One disgruntled person posted online: “One rule for one and one for another." Another added: “Nobody should be ‘allowed‘ to go there because they are elite.”
Others said it was “shocking”, “disgusting” and “scandalous”. “Whole country banned from going down there,” said another. “Unless you’re from Hollywood.” One man wrote to North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) to report the film crew for “misuse". On Facebook one woman said: “The seals don’t generally haul out there in the summer but will often bob about there just watching the people or swimming behind kayakers. In general, if you don’t see any seals on the beach, there is no reason why you shouldn’t then go on the beach to film or whatever else you want to do.”
Prior to filming on Saturday, June 17, a letter was sent out by the production company to residents of the area. It said that they had worked with local authorities, landowners, and wildlife groups to ensure minimum impact and disruption. Experts added that they did not see any “negative activity” while observing the filming at Angel Bay and NWWT said it received just one letter of complaint.
Nia Jones, the trust’s Living Seas manager, said: “NWWT representatives were given permission by the film company to observe the filming due to the presence of three to four seals in the water at the time. We do not believe that there was negative activity on the part of the film crew who worked with our representatives to ensure that disturbance was kept to a minimum.
“From May through to mid-August we ask that people avoid heading down into the bay if seals are hauled out onto the beach. From mid-August onwards we increase signage in the area and ask people, voluntarily, to completely avoid going down to the beach. This is when larger number of seals are present in the sea and have come ashore to pup and later to moult.”
Following the response on social media NWWT will now be adding dos and don’ts of seal watching to its website. Breeding season starts from late summer with the main pupping time around late October and early November. Visitors are urged to avoid the beach completely between late August and January – especially if they have dogs.
