Big-budget TV movie about William Shakespeare to be shot in Wales

A big-budget television drama about the early life of William Shakespeare is being filmed in Britain's Wales.

The drama will be the largest budget film ever shot in Wales. The series is being made for U.S. television.

Backed by financing from the Welsh government, the production is expected to generate almost 23 million U.S. dollars for the Welsh economy.

The first series of nine episodes have been commissioned following the success of an initial pilot program that was filmed in London.

Welcoming the news Friday, the Welsh government's Economy Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates described it as a great win and a huge boost for the creative industries sector in Wales.

He said: "It supports our sector strategy to attract high-end drama to Wales with a specific focus on the lucrative U.S. market and with the probability of repeat series. I am delighted that Welsh government support has secured this investment for Wales.

"It gives us a platform, not just in the U.S., but globally to promote Wales as a great location for filming which is backed by real expertise and talent."

The company behind the series, Ninth Floor UK Productions, will be based at Dragon Studios in Pencoed near Cardiff, with locations shooting in and around South Wales as well as London.

TNT, the American cable and satellite television channel owned by the Turner Broadcasting System division of Time Warner, has ordered 10 episodes of "Will" that tells the wild story of a young William Shakespeare, played by newcomer Laurie Davidson.

The series is scheduled to air on U.S. television in 2017. Endit