DAILY activities in downtown Kingston will have to accommodate changes over the next couple of days with the closure of major roadways in the busy commercial district for the filming of the HBO/Channel 4 series Get Millie Black, which is being shot on location in the island.

The National Works Agency (NWA) issued a public advisory on the weekend announcing the closure of Harbour Street and Port Royal Street on Monday, and roads between Orange Street and King Street on Tuesday, between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm both days.

The corridors are among several Corporate Area locations that will feature in the series which is based on a screenplay by award-winning Jamaican writer Marlon James. The production follows ex-Scotland Yard Detective Millie-Jean Black, who returns to Kingston to work in the police missing persons branch and soon finds herself caught up in a web of personal and professional drama.

UK’s Channel 4 describes the limited series as a “gripping international mystery and a compelling manhunt told in six parts through the eyes of six people, each with their own bias and beef, all of whom believe they know the true Millie Black, perhaps the deepest mystery of all”.

Motorists coming off Marcus Garvey Drive/Water Lane who need to access Michael Manley Boulevard will have to turn right onto Pechon Street and travel along Ocean Boulevard to re-enter Harbour Street at the Duke Street intersection. The NWA is advising westbound traffic along Port Royal Street heading to Marcus Garvey Drive to turn left onto East Street, to travel along Ocean Boulevard, and re-enter Port Royal Street at the Pechon Street intersection.

Other locations expected to be used over the next three months are Hellshire hills in Portmore, St Catherine; Braemar Avenue, Ravinia, Hunt’s Bay Police Station, and Strathmore Great House in the Kingston area.

In a media statement, James — creator and executive producer — said he was pleased to put Jamaica on the series map. “This is the first major international TV show to put my home country, Jamaica, centre stage so it’s beyond awesome to have actual world-class Jamaican talent both in front and behind the camera, with our star Tamara Lawrance and director Tanya Hamilton,” he said.

— Alphea Sumner