A Bexleyheath villa was chosen as the set for an upcoming BBC drama thanks to its rich history with the British East India Company.

Danson House features heavily in the new series Taboo, starring Tom Hardy, which will start on January 7.

Built by Sir John Boyd in 1766 for his second wife Catherine Chapone, Danson House was originally designed by architect Sir Robert Taylor, who was also the architect of the Bank of England.

The house nearly fell into complete disrepair until 1995 when it was earmarked as a London building in most desperate need for a renovation.

In 2005 the restored interior opened to the public for the first time in thirty years, and now will be the set of BBC's new series.

The filming took place between November 2015 and June 2016 and included concert scenes with horses and carriages arriving with guests through the grounds.

Tom Hardy is playing James Keziah Delaney, who, despite being presumed dead, has returned to London after 10 years in Africa. He must avenge his father, who has been deceived and destroyed by the East India Company.

Karen Everett, FilmFixer director who assisted with the production, said: "There’s a great deal of preparation required for filming in historic homes. Being Grade one listed, protecting Danson House was a major priority for us, before filming could go ahead.

"Special terms and conditions ensured the drama could be recreated in this ideal period location – while at the same time, the mansion itself would be safe and treated respectfully.

"Its attraction to the production was obvious. The restored mansion is in exquisite condition, it’s of the appropriate period, and it’s set in 200-acres of parkland including a 12-acre lake.

"On top of this, it was actually built for a sugar merchant and vice-chairman of the British East India Company, a Sir John Boyd. The British East India Company features heavily in the series."