FILM crews descended on the seafront this morning to shoot scenes for crime drama Grace.

Lighting rigs and equipment lorries lined Hove promenade as preparations were put in place to film the next series of the hit ITV show.

Spotlights had been placed on the rooftop of Rockwater in Western Esplanade and crews could be seen setting up cameras, sound equipment and lighting.

The Argus: FIilming for ITV drama Grace has taken place at Rockwater, HoveFIilming for ITV drama Grace has taken place at Rockwater, Hove

Grace, an adaption of Sussex author Peter James’s international bestselling book Dead Simple, is one of ITV’s most successful dramas with more than eight million people tuning in to watch the first series.

The series stars Life on Mars actor John Simm as the protagonist, fictional detective Roy Grace.

Parking suspensions have also been put in place on Kingsway and Carlisle Road, Hove to allow filming to take place.

The Argus: Spotlights were set up on the roof of the Hove seafront venueSpotlights were set up on the roof of the Hove seafront venue

A passer-by said crews had been seen going in and out of a house on Braemore Road, Hove where filming had also taken place.

Camera crews and stars of the show have been at locations across Brighton and Hove this summer.

In August, John Simm was seen shooting a scene for the show in Brighton station.

The Argus: Film crews lined up along Hove promenade Film crews lined up along Hove promenade

Members of the sound and camera crews were pictured around John as he prepared to film.

The second series of Grace will be made up of three 120 minute films - Not Dead Enough, Dead Man’s Footsteps and Dead Tomorrow.

Series producer Kiaran Murray-Smith confirmed on Twitter that filming on Not Dead Enough had been completed and work on Dead Man’s Footsteps had started.

He wrote: “#Grace S2 has finished filming #NotDeadEnough and a massive thanks to #HenrikGeorgsson.

The Argus: ITV vehicles line the streets of HoveITV vehicles line the streets of Hove

“We move on to #DeadMansFootsteps so good luck to #BrianKelly who takes on the mantle. One down, two to go!”

Alongside John Simm, Richie Campbell and Line of Duty star Craig Parkinson have also been seen filming

Writer Russell Lewis said: "After the overwhelmingly positive audience response to the seaside noir of Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead ready to go, all at team Roy Grace are delighted to have been given the opportunity by ITV to return to Brighton (and Hove, actually!) to continue Roy's story with a new series of films based on Peter James best-selling novels.

"We’ll be shooting out of our Brighton HQ and all along and around the South Coast from late summer through to very late autumn.”

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