Principal photography is underway on Patrick Melrose starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the eponymous playboy.

The four-month shoot begins in London and runs for two weeks before moving on to the south of France for another fortnight. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hugo Weaving and Anna Madeley co-star.

Shooting on the Sky Atlantic/Showtime drama will then continue in New York.

Cumberbatch also executive produces the 5 x 60 with Adam Ackland, his partner at SunnyMarch, as well as Michael Jackson and Rachael Horovitz of Two Cities Television.

The adaptation comes from David Nicholls, based on the series of semi-autobiographical novels by Edward St Aubyn.

This week also sees the start of filming on two features – Slaughterhouse Rulez, from Catalyst Global Media and Simon Pegg and Nick Frost”s Stolen Picture, and Mary Queen of Scots from Working Title starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie.

Benedict Cumberbatch photo via Getty Images/WireImage/Amanda Edwards.