Earlier this year, we headed inside Hatfield House to check in on our latest safety video shoot. Here’s a behind-the-scenes peek, plus the lowdown from the British Airways stars of our very own period drama

As of recent years, our safety video has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right, so it’s only good and proper that our latest debut riffs on the popularity of the quintessential British costume drama.

In a nod to British Original Jane Austen and the pioneers of all our favourite period drama tropes, this new video features a stately home, a Darcy-esque heartthrob emerging from the lake (to demonstrate the lifejackets), plus queens (bemused by our modern-day technology), corsets (oxygen masks at the ready) and, of course, a good old-fashioned love story. It also stars more than 40 of our very own (and on the day – we can confirm – very nervous!) British Airways colleagues, from pilots to cabin crew to engineers and everyone in between.

“In just three days, we had to traverse three periods in history: 13th-century Scotland, Jane Austen’s England (the 1800s) and the 1920s country estate,” director Sharon Maguire tells us. “For every period, we used Hatfield House in Hertfordshire for the interiors. It’s glorious and offered so much versatility. Then for the Braveheart-style drama we needed some hills and heather – who knew that would be available near Reading?”

The production played host to an all-star call sheet: Maguire, of course, who directed two of the Pride and Prejudice-inspired Bridget Jones films; Erik Wilson (cinematographer for the Paddington movies); Kave Quinn, who did Emma, on production design, and Bridgerton make-up artist extraordinaire, Erika Ökvist. The outfits, too, were helpfully borrowed from the Netflix smash hit, with strings undoubtedly pulled by the safety video’s Oscar-winning costume designer, Jenny Beavan. But perhaps the most beloved of them all was dialect coach, Jill McCullough (a favourite of Keira Knightley, Natalie Portman et al), who was on hand to guide our colleagues to movie-star success. 

Back in February this year, The Club managed to snag a behind-the-scenes pass to Hatfield House, Hertfordshire to watch the team and our very own British Airways colleagues at work. Here’s what they had to say about the experience...

Maxine Campbell
In-Flight Lead
First seen: 2:17
Why did you want to be in this year’s safety video?
My mother has dementia. She’s 88 years old and I’d love her to be able to see this and say, “Look, there’s Maxine.” I hope my cameo makes her and my daughter proud.

Do you have a favourite safety video?
I’ve been at British Airways for about 36 years now, so I’ve seen a few of them. I particularly like the recent ones we’ve done, and I’ve certainly noticed a difference on the aircraft as passengers – even the youngsters – are watching them now. I’m very passionate about good and clear passenger announcements.

If you could thank anyone in your BAFTA speech, who would it be?
The catering truck on set today! But, on a serious note, my daughter. She’s in the performing arts and gave me some great tips and encouragement for today. If anyone was going to play me in a movie, I’d hope it’d be her.

Cornelius Wilson
Senior First Officer
First seen: 0:17
Are there any similarities between being an actor and a pilot?
Both require multi-tasking but, to me, flying is a well-rehearsed script. And since being on set is rather outside my comfort zone, I would have to say acting is much harder than flying a plane!

Do you ever get frustrated watching pilots in movies?
Yes, actually! They often get a lot wrong.

If any character was going to play you in a movie, who would it be?
Can I say Daniel Craig?

Sam Ross
Cabin Crew
First seen: 0:55
If any actor could play you in a movie, who would you like it to be?
Catherine O’Hara, specifically as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. So eccentric, so extra – just like me!

Are there any cabin crew skills that have helped you today?
Oh, yes! As crew, it’s important to have that sense of presentation, a smile on your face, ready to respond and react, and that’s really all the camera wants, too. I might be crew, but I do like to be involved in lots of different things, which probably explains why I’m here. Or maybe my face is just too gorgeous to not be on screen, lol.

If you could thank anyone in your BAFTA speech, who would it be?
It would be the crew I was with in Johannesburg when I was doing my casting interview for this gig because they were all hyping me up so much and getting me prepared for it. Thanks to Charlotte, especially (she knows who she is!).

Isobel Meharg
Cabin Crew
First seen: 0:55
Why did you want to be in this year’s safety video?
I’m a BA baby! My dad flies for British Airways so I’ve been on the planes watching these demos since I was five years old, enjoying Joanna Lumley tell us we’re all fabulous. I’m also delighted to represent Northern Ireland in a safety video.

What’s your favourite period drama?
It has to be the 1995 TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth, probably because I love the book so much and this one is the most faithful adaption, in my opinion. If I could be any period drama character, though, it’d be Daphne in Bridgerton. I fancy the leading man!

Which is easier, cabin crew or actor?
There’s more reward being crew, in that you’re going somewhere interesting. After this, I’m just going home to bed. But this has been such a nice change of scenery, being in this stunning house and having a lovely day with my fellow actors.

Anya Dard
Data Engineer
First seen: 3:25
If you could thank anyone in your BAFTA speech, who would it be?
My mum, dad and sister – they get so excited about this kind of thing. When I said I was auditioning, they rang my whole family to let them know. I had to remind them that I’m not on the big screen just yet…

If you were to be any period drama character, who would it be?
I’d want to be one of the older, gossiping, giggling grandmothers trying to marry off their granddaughters!

Are there any parallels between acting and your day job?
I sit at a computer coding all day, so I don’t think there’s a single similarity! Except for the fact that I work with lovely people, and lovely people are on this set, too. Mostly, I’m just happy that the safety video auditions were open to all – and I was able to take part. 

Mollie Haynes 
Cabin Crew
First seen: 2:13
Do you think you could have been an actor in a different life?
I almost was! I did Theatre Studies at A-level and have always loved acting. For me, it was either acting or cabin crew. I went with cabin crew since it’s easier to get into. Now I’m doing both!

What’s your favourite period drama?
Bridgerton is probably my most watched. I love the costumes, the drama and particularly the music – how they cover modern hip-hop songs using a classical string quartet. My favourite is ‘Thank You, Next’ by Ariana Grande.

In your BAFTA speech, who would you like to thank?
I would thank my mum, dad and little brother for always being there for me. They’re so proud of everything I’ve done at work. Also my dog, who I’ve had since I was ten.

Liesl Cantelo-Jones
Cabin Crew  
First seen: 3:25
If you could be any period drama character, who would you be?
I would love to be Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. But let’s be real, I’m probably more of a Charlotte or a Kitty.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given today?
Be silly, embrace it and don’t be afraid of being too ‘big’. It’s much better for the director to have to turn you down on camera than to try to turn you up.

What were you most excited or most nervous about?
The costumes. I was so excited to pretend to be Keira Knightley and I know I’ll never get this opportunity again. I was most nervous about fitting in amongst all the professionals, but our acting coach, Jill McCullough, has been amazing in helping us relax.

Al Smith
Senior First Officer
First seen: 4:17
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given today?
The costume and make-up department asked me to take little bites of my dinner so I didn’t get food down myself or in the wig. It’s very different to wolfing down lunch in the cockpit of a 787!

Tell us about your character.
I’m a nobleman, playing the harpsichord for the Queen, and I’ll be demonstrating the brace position. Watching the Queen do all her bits was so funny – I love the way she snatches the laptop out of Sam’s hand at 00:32.

Which do you think is harder, being a pilot or an actor?
Since I've gone long haul, I don’t see early mornings all that often. And this morning was a very early morning. So that was hard. I’m doing my best to channel my inner Judi Dench, but I’d say transferable skills between the two roles are quite limited!

Cally Richardson
In-Flight Lead
First seen: 2:13
How have you found yourself in this year’s safety video?
I applied literally just before midnight on the closing date for video applications, so I cut things pretty fine. For the first audition, we had to read a few lines from the safety demo script and hope that our personalities shone through. I must have done a good job, as I got the gig!

If any actor were to play you in a movie, who should it be?
It wouldn’t be someone too serious! It’d have to be a funny actor, like Melissa McCarthy from Bridesmaids, or Nicola Coughlan, who plays one of my favourite characters in Bridgerton. I always like to have a laugh and make other people laugh.

In your BAFTA speech, who would you like to thank?
My mum, who raised me singlehandedly.

Gordon Charlton
Cabin Crew
First seen: 3:45
How have you found yourself in this year’s safety video?
I saw the ad in London, did a self-tape in Dubai, had an audition call while I was in Phoenix, got told that I hadn’t been chosen in LA, only to be brought on board once I was back home. It’s been a journey…

Do you have a favourite period drama?
Can I say Jeeves and Wooster with Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie? Absolutely vintage bit of TV and hilarious – a bit like this safety video! I think I’m more of a Jeeves than a Bertie, as I like a bit of sarcasm.

If any actor could play you in a movie, who would you like it to be?
I’d love Elton John to play me. He’s not an actor, and neither am I!

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