Where the Heart Is is a British drama television series set in the fictional Yorkshire town of Skelthwaite, created by Ashley Pharoah and Vicky Featherstone.

The series was filmed in the Colne valley of West Yorkshire, mainly in the villages of Marsden and Slaithwaite and the town of Meltham.

She was employed as a script advisor and coached the cast and helped the production create an authentic representation of life in the Colne Valley communities.

[1] The official ITV website described the series as "an engaging story of life, love, family and people’s ever-changing fortunes in rural England.

"[2] Initially, it mainly concentrated on the lives of two of the district health nurses, Peggy Snow (Pam Ferris) and Ruth Goddard (Sarah Lancashire).

[1] The story expands to focus on the lives of more Skelthwhaite residents, particularly those related to the nurses as well as those working in a local toilet paper factory.

[2] The series was filmed in the Colne valley of West Yorkshire, mainly in the villages of Marsden and Slaithwaite, and the town of Meltham.

After conversing with the staff, Pharoah realised they had valid stories which had the potential to be explored fully on a television series.

[12] The pair knew the show would need to be suitable for a pre-watershed time slot and were mindful to exclude profanity and nudity.

[3] Pharoah observed a toilet paper factory in Meltham and decided to incorporate it into the scripts because it dominated the town's employment.

[16] She met with Featherstone and Pharoah to discuss the series and travelled to the Yorkshire towns of Meltham, Marsden and Slaithwaite, which she decided to use as filming locations for the show.

Tiffany also acted as a nursing advisor, providing information on medical practises and procedures, coaching the cast in how to perform first aid, apply bandages, and take a patient's blood pressure.

Anthony told Hayward that Peggy's characterisation could be interpreted as nosiness but her "caring and inquisitive" nature allowed her to "wheedle out the stories".

[3] Anthony wanted to find an actress who could portray Peggy's "tremendous strength and resolve" alongside her "warmth and humour".

[3] Auditions for the male leads proved difficult for casting directors, who were determined to find actors that matched the strength that Ferris and Lancashire offered their respective role.

Anthony auditioned countless actors and was fearful that casting the wrong person as Peggy's husband Vic Snow would ruin the relationship dynamic they envisioned.

[15][21] Tony Haygarth auditioned and was cast as Vic; according to Anthony he stood out because "he had all the qualities of strength and humour - as well as the potential to be a bit grumpy.

[3] Thomas Craig was selected to play Simon Goddard, Ruth's husband and Peggy's younger brother.

[3] Stephen was portrayed as loath to end up like his father Vic, who had settled for a life time lived in a small community.

[3] Other original characters featured in the series included William Travis as factory worker Dick Lampard, Andrew Knott as Stephen's best friend Henry Green, Maggie Wells as part-time district nurse Patricia Illingworth and Laura Crossley as Deborah Allis.

She thought that television series were often scared to fully explore learning difficulties and she wanted to show how people like Walter fit into a community.