A Christmas Carol PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: First look at Taylor Swift's boyfriend Joe Alwyn as Scrooge's underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit as actor joins cast on set of BBC adaptation in London

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Joe Alwyn transformed into the abused, underpaid clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, as filming got under way for A Christmas Carol in London on Tuesday. 

The actor, 28, who is in a relationship with Taylor Swift, was dressed in traditional Victorian costume as he shot scenes in Hampstead with his onscreen wife Vinette Robinson, who plays Mary, for the BBC adaptation of the Charles Dicken's novel. 

Joe will join Line of Duty's Stephen Graham and a star-studded cast for the reworks of Charles Dicken's prestigious ghost story, with Peaky Blinders’ Stephen Knight at the helm. 

First look: Joe Alwyn transformed into the abused, underpaid clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, while Vinette Robinson portrayed his wife Mary as filming got under way for BBC's adaptation of A Christmas Carol in London on Tuesday

First look: Joe Alwyn transformed into the abused, underpaid clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, while Vinette Robinson portrayed his wife Mary as filming got under way for BBC's adaptation of A Christmas Carol in London on Tuesday

Tom Hardy will join his Taboo collaborator Steven as an executive producer in the three-part series. The special is directed by Nick Murphy and produced by Julian Stevens.

The synopsis by BBC reads the adaptation 'is a unique and original take on the novel, and a haunting, hallucinatory, spine-tingling immersion into Scrooge's dark night of the soul'.

The Favourite star will portray Bob Cratchit, the underpaid clerk of Scrooge, who in the book is aged around 30-years-old. Cratchit has come to symbolize poor working conditions, especially long working hours.

Filming starts: The actor, who is in a relationship with Taylor Swift, 28, was dressed in traditional Victorian costume as he shot scenes for the BBC adaptation of the Charles Dicken's novel

Filming starts: The actor, who is in a relationship with Taylor Swift, 28, was dressed in traditional Victorian costume as he shot scenes for the BBC adaptation of the Charles Dicken's novel

Underpaid clerk: Joe was dressed in a long khaki overcoat and a brown top hat, which were dirtied to resemble the character's poor working conditions

Underpaid clerk: Joe was dressed in a long khaki overcoat and a brown top hat, which were dirtied to resemble the character's poor working conditions 

Power couple: Joe has been dating Taylor for just over two years but has established a name for himself within the acting industry (pictured together in February)

Power couple: Joe has been dating Taylor for just over two years but has established a name for himself within the acting industry (pictured together in February)

Transformation: Vinette looked the part in a grey petticoat dress and black bonnet. The actress will play Bob's loving wife Mary

Transformation: Vinette looked the part in a grey petticoat dress and black bonnet. The actress will play Bob's loving wife Mary 

Star-studded cast: Joe will join Line of Duty's Stephen Graham and a star-studded cast for the reworks of Charles Dicken's prestigious ghost story, with Peaky Blinders’ Stephen Knight at the helm

Star-studded cast: Joe will join Line of Duty's Stephen Graham and a star-studded cast for the reworks of Charles Dicken's prestigious ghost story, with Peaky Blinders’ Stephen Knight at the helm

And his costume reflected his working class status, dressed in a dirtied long khaki overcoat and a brown top hat, Joe looked the part as the poor, but diligent worker.

As the cast arrived on set, the final preparations were made to create a snowy street, while horses munched on hay bales, ready to be attached to two horse-drawn carriages. 

The hunk has managed to establish a name for himself as a credible actor, after he propelled into the spotlight when he began dating Taylor Swift over two years ago. 

The couple have kept their relationship shrouded in mystery from when they first started dating. 

Joe is best known for his roles in the films Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016), The Favourite (2018) and Mary Queen of Scots (2018).  

Getting into character: Joe looked the part as the poor but diligent worker as he prepared for filming, while Vinette chatted away on the phone

Getting into character: Joe looked the part as the poor but diligent worker as he prepared for filming, while Vinette chatted away on the phone

Victorian era: Joe emerged from his car in the grey waistcoat, matching tie and tough boots

Victorian era: Joe emerged from his car in the grey waistcoat, matching tie and tough boots 

Last minute prep: The Mary Queen of Scots star was greeted by a crew member before filming got under way

Last minute prep: The Mary Queen of Scots star was greeted by a crew member before filming got under way 

Exciting: This is the first look as Joe as the clerk Cratchit in the three-part special, which is directed by Nick Murphy and produced by Julian Stevens

Exciting: This is the first look as Joe as the clerk Cratchit in the three-part special, which is directed by Nick Murphy and produced by Julian Stevens

Sure to be a hit: The actor will join a star studded cast; Guy Pearce will play the leading role as Scrooge, while Line of Duty's Stephen takes up the role as Jacob Marley

Sure to be a hit: The actor will join a star studded cast; Guy Pearce will play the leading role as Scrooge, while Line of Duty's Stephen takes up the role as Jacob Marley

Big role to play: Joe looked a little apprehensive ahead of the first day of filming

Big role to play: Joe looked a little apprehensive ahead of the first day of filming 

The actor will join a star studded cast; Guy Pearce will play the leading role as Scrooge, while Stephen takes up the role as Jacob Marley. 

Black Panther's Andy Serkis will be the Ghost of Christmas Past, while Peaky Blinders star Charlotte Riley as Lottie.  

Rutger Hauer (True Blood) is the Ghost of Christmas Future, Kayvan Novak is cast as Ali Baba and Lenny Rush will portray Tim Cratchit. 

Let it snow: While the cast arrived on set, the final preparations were made to create a snowy street

Let it snow: While the cast arrived on set, the final preparations were made to create a snowy street

Going back to the past: Horses munched on hay bales ahead of pulling the carriage

Going back to the past: Horses munched on hay bales ahead of pulling the carriage 

Creating the setting: The man diligently blasted fake snow onto the street to help set the scene, which takes place at Christmas

Creating the setting: The man diligently blasted fake snow onto the street to help set the scene, which takes place at Christmas

Onwards! Two horse drawn carriages stood waiting as the crew prepared to film the scenes

Onwards! Two horse drawn carriages stood waiting as the crew prepared to film the scenes

Back in time: The carriage looked impressive as it sat outside a house in Hampsteap

Back in time: The carriage looked impressive as it sat outside a house in Hampsteap 

Blanket of white: The street lights were covered in snow to help create the perfect wintery picture

Blanket of white: The street lights were covered in snow to help create the perfect wintery picture

Let it be Christmas once more: The man ensured the whole street was covered in fake snow

Let it be Christmas once more: The man ensured the whole street was covered in fake snow 

First published in 1843, A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. 

After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man. 

Executive producer Steven said: 'This production of A Christmas Carol will respectfully present what we believe to be a timely interpretation of a timeless story.'

Classic: First published in 1843, A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come

Classic: First published in 1843, A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come

Literary genius: After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man

Literary genius: After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man

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A Christmas Carol: First look at Joe Alwyn as Scrooge's underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit

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