GENTLEMAN Jack, TV’s latest costume drama which was filmed extensively in York, begins at 9pm tomorrow night on BBC 1.

The series, set in 1832, features Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones as the noted landowner, diarist and industrialist Anne Lister, famous for her four million-word diary that documented her lesbian relationships.

The drama recounts how she meets a local woman, wealthy heiress Ann Walker, played by Sophie Rundle, and decides to marry her.

The couple were said to have become engaged on February 27, 1834, and then taken communion during a service at Holy Trinity Church in Goodramgate.

The event has been hailed as the first Church of England blessing of a same-sex marriage.

The name Gentleman Jack refers to the public ridiculing Lister endured throughout her life, with her neighbours calling her that to make fun of her masculine appearance and interest in women.

The series has been created, written and directed by Sally Wainwright, who is behind programmes including Last Tango in Halifax and Happy Valley.

Filming took place last year at several locations in York, including the church, Goodramgate, Precentor Court, Duncombe Place, Grays Court Hotel, Minster Yard and Deangate, with crowds frequently gathering to watch the drama.

Last year a rainbow memorial plaque to Anne was unveiled on the wall outside the church, created through a partnership between York Civic Trust, York LGBT Forum and The Churches Conservation Trust.

Dr Kit Heyam, co-organiser of the Rainbow Plaques project in York and former lead co-ordinator of York LGBT History Month, said it was the first ever permanent rainbow plaque in York and very possibly the UK.