A RYEDALE stately home is once again welcoming an A-list cast for the filming of a new biopic about a famous and controversial psychiatrist.

Scampston Hall, near Malton, will be the setting for a feature length film starring David Tennant about RD Laing, called Mad to be Normal.

Other stars include Elizabeth Moss, who featured in Mad Men, Michael Gambon, of Harry Potter and Dad’s Army fame, and Gabriel Byrne, from The Usual Suspects.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, RG Laing, who is played by Tennant, was an international celebrity, expressing opinions which turned the psychiatric establishment firmly against him.

Laing treated his patients like fellow human beings – giving them their own time and space. In 1965 Laing set up Kingsley Hall, a therapeutic sanctuary where patients could live just as they chose.

Mad to be Normal is being produced by Gizmo Films, an independent film production company.

Julian Hicks, executive producer, said: “The incredible regency interiors and colours of Scampston Hall make for a striking backdrop for scenes in Mad to be Normal.

"It is always refreshing to be filming outside of London, and cast and crew have been offered a particularly warm welcome at Scampston Hall by the Legard family and their team.”

Chris Legard, owner of Scampston Hall, said: “We are delighted to host the crew and cast here at Scampston Hall. It’s always fascinating to see our family home on the screen, and how easily it can be transformed by a creative production team.”

Scampston Hall was most recently used as the setting for a production of An Inspector Calls, starring Miranda Richardson and David Thewlis.