Author: Kent Film Office

Summerland (2020)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Alice (Gemma Arterton) laying on the grass with a book smiling at the camera with white cliffs as a backdrop.

Gemma Arterton in Summerland (2020) © Michael Wharley Flying Castles Ltd

Writer: Jessica Swale
Director: Jessica Swale
Starring: Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Penelope Wilton, Tom Courtenay
Production Company: British Film Institute, Quickfire Films
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Dover Castle

Set during WWII, Summerland (2020) is a period drama from writer and first time director Jessica Swale (Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, Leading Lady Parts) which tells the story of reclusive writer Alice (Gemma Arterton) as she learns to open her heart to Frank (Lucas Bond), a young Blitz evacuee.

This BFI and Quickfire Films production features Gemma Arterton (St. Trinian’s, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time ) as Alice , Lucas Bond as Frank (The Cleansing Hour, The Miniaturist) alongside other cast members Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle 2013), Concussion 2015), Penelope Wilton (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel , Shaun of the Dead) and Tom Courtenay (Doctor Zhivago, 45 Years).

Production for Swale’s directorial feature film debut visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham, making use of multiple areas at the location including; the exterior of the Captain’s House, Officers’ Terrace, Old Pay Office, Sail and Colour Loft and the Fitted Rigging House cellars on Anchor Wharf. The exterior of the medieval Dover Castle makes a small cameo in the film in a dream-like scene.

Set on the River Medway The Historic Dockyard Chatham was once an active Royal Navy shipyard and is a popular Kent filming location, especially for period dramas looking for London street doubles. Recent productions include Hetty Feather (2015-2020), Call the Midwife (2012-2020) and Pagalpanti (2019).

Dover Castle towers above Dover town, signalling Dover’s strategic importance in the defence of the country in World War Two. Other feature films shot at Dover Castle include Christopher Robin (2018), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and Into the Woods (2015).

Summerland was released in UK cinemas and Amazon Prime Video Cinema on Friday 31st July 2020.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

Break (2020)

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Film poster for Break- a grey haired man in a beige hat and black top is in the centre of the image holding a gun up to the ceiling, behind him is a montage of 5 other characters from the film, all with concerned and moody faces. The images are on top of a city skyline at night. The title Break is written in the centre

Break Movie Poser- © Break Films

Writer: Michael Elkin
Director: Michael Elkin
Starring: Sam Gittins, Jamie Foreman, Adam Deacon, Terri Dwyer, David Yip, Rutger Hauer, Sophie Stevens, Luke Mably
Production Company: Break Films, Scanner-Rhodes Productions
Kent Locations Used: Canterbury Prison

A young, talented snooker player caught up in the world of serious crime when a local gangster and veteran pool champion from China offers him the opportunity to break free, realise his potential and become more than he ever thought he could be.

Break (2020) is directed and written by Michael Elkin (Banshee, Aux) and stars Sam Gittins (The Smoke, EastEnders), Jamie Foreman (Layer Cake, Inkheart), Adam Deacon (Babylon (2014), The Bromley Boys), Terri Dwyer (Hollyoaks, Age of Kill), David Yip (Indiana Jones, A View to a Kill), Rutger Hauer (True Blood, Batman Begins), Sophie Stevens (The Haunted, The Black Prince), Luke Mably (Combat Hospital, Exam).

Production filmed at Canterbury Prison which has previously featured in The Capture (2019) and Avengement (2019). The prison was active until March 2013 and later purchased by Canterbury Christ Church University to extend the nearby campus

Break was released on Wednesday 22nd July 2020.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

The Complex: Lockdown (2020)

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Michelle Mylett wearing an orange top points a hand gun towards the camera. White walls and plants are behind her.

The Complex: Lockdown – Michelle Mylett – © 101 Films

Writer: Lynn Renee Maxcy
Director: Paul Raschid
Starring: Michelle Mylett, Kate Dickie, Al Weaver, Kim Adis
Production Company: Little Jade Productions, Red & Black Films
Kent Locations Used: Discovery Park Ltd, Sandwich Bay Estate, Upton Farm

The Complex: Lockdown (2020) is a Sci-Fi Thriller based on a computer game of the same name and set in a locked-down London laboratory after a bio-weapon attack on the city. With time and air running out, two scientists are tasked with saving the life of a bioweapon’s terrorist.

Written by Lynn Renee Maxcy (The Handmaid’s Tale, Covert Affairs) and directed by Paul Raschid (Winterstoke House, White Chamber). It stars Michelle Mylett (Bad Blood, Letterkenny), Kate Dickie (The Witch, Game of Thrones), Al Weaver (Colette, Grantchester), and Kim Adis (The Turning, Get Even).

Production visited Discovery Park Ltd, Sandwich Bay Estate and Upton Farm whilst filming.

Discovery Park Ltd is a popular filming location, which offers a large office complex with science labs and warehouses. Discovery Park Ltd was previously featured in World War Z (2013), Baptiste (2019) and The Tunnel (2013).

Sandwich Bay Estate, is another Kent filming location used for this production. It offers a rural, step shingled beach and at low tide there are large sand flats.

Upton Farm is a Wholesale farm situated in Kent. It offers green fields and pastoral lands. Izo FitzRoy’s 2019 music video for I Want Magic was previously shot here.

The film is being released online via 101 Films on Monday 27th July 2020.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

The Old Guard (2020)

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Actor Charlize Theron in the front centre pointing her gun off camera, 3 other male cast members are lined up behind her on the stairs of a cave with their guns pointed

The Old Guard (2020) – ©Aimee Spinks/Netflix

Writer: Greg Rucka, Leandro Fernandez
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Starring: Charlize Theron, Chiwetell Ejiofor, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Matthias Schoenaerts, Harry Melling, Van Veronica Ngo
Production Companies: Denver and Delilah Productions, Netflix
Filming Locations: Discovery Park Ltd, Sandwich

Based on the comic book of the same name, The Old Guard (2020) is a superhero film that follows Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal mercenaries who have fought to protect the world for centuries. When the secret of their existence is exposed, it attracts the interest of those whose who seek to exploit their powers.

The film stars Oscar winner Charlize Theron as Andromache of Scythia (Mad Max: Fury Road, Bombshell), Academy Award Nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave, Dr.Strange), KiKi Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk, Captive State), Marwan Kenzari (Aladdin, The Murder on The Orient Express), Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden, They Call Me Jeeg) and Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone, Far From The Madding Crowd).

The Old Guard was written by Greg Rucka (Batman: Gotham Knight, Whiteout) and based on the graphic novel he co-created with Leandro Fernandez. The film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Shots Fired, Beyond the Lights).

Sandwich was used as a double for french town Goussainville. Market Street is briefly seen as Andy leaves a Pharmacy. Discovery Park in Sandwich doubles as Merrick Pharmaceutical throughout the film.

Discovery Park, the former Pfizer research and manufacturing facility, is situated just outside Sandwich and has many office and laboratory spaces available for filming. Previous productions to have filmed there include Baptiste (2019), The Lost Commando Raid (2018) and World War Z (2013).

Sandwich lies on the River Stour and is known for its many medieval buildings in addition to its churches and gated stone walls.  John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, is also credited as the inventor of the sandwich.

Town of Sandwich transformed for filming of The Old Guard- two images of Sandwich. The first of the street with an open lorry that has filming quipement in. The second of a street with cars on, the buildings have french flags outside.

Sandwich transformed for filming of The Old Guard © Kent Online

 

 

 

 

 

The Old Guard will release globally on Netflix on Friday 10th July 2020.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

Walking Britain’s Roman Roads (2020)

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Presenter Dan Jones looking at the camera with a Roman road behind him.

Presenter Dan Jones in Walking Britain’s Roman Roads- Copyright Rumpus Media

Presenter: Dan Jones
Production Company: Rumpus Media
Kent Locations Used: Canterbury & Pegwell Bay Beach

Walking Britain’s Roman Roads is a six-part series that follows historian and presenter Dan Jones (London: 2000 Years of History, Building Britain’s Canals) as he walks six of Britain’s Roman roads, exploring the different cultures that emerged along these routes. Episode one begins with the country’s oldest and longest road, running from the Kent Coast to Shropshire.

Production visited Pegwell Bay and Watling Street in Canterbury during filming for the Kent episode.

Pegwell Bay is the shallow estuary on the north bank of the River Stour  between Ramsgate and Sandwich in Kent. It is home to a large stretch of sea cliffs, a nature reserve, mudflats and salt marshes. Productions such as Britain at Low Tide – Series 3 (2019) and  River Walks (2018) have previously made use of the beautiful bay.

Canterbury is a historic cathedral city; many of its original historical structures remain, including the cathedral and section of the city wall. The city is a popular tourist destination and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Canterbury Tales (2003) and Great British Railway Journeys Series 11 (2020) have previously filmed here.

Walking Britain’s Roman Roads starts on 5 Select on Wednesday 1st July at 9pm.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

Long Lost Family (2020)

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Close up of presenter Davina McCall looking into the camera wearing a black jumper

Lost Lost Family Born Without Trace- Davina McCall- © ITV

Starring: Davina McCall, Nicky Campbell
Production Company: ITV Studios
Kent Locations Used: Gravesend, Maidstone, Dartford

Long Lost Family (2011-) returns for another series. The team combine detective work alongside the latest DNA technology to help four contributors uncover their real identities and work out where they came from.

In these two special episodes we see the incredible stories of a man who was left in a car on the outskirts of Belfast, a woman left in a telephone box in Dundalk, another woman found in a public toilet in Warminster and lastly, a man found outside a railway tavern in Greenhithe.

The show is presented by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell, who continue to work together to bring solace to many families across the UK.

Production visited a contributor’s house in Gravesend, along with various streets in Maidstone and Dartford.

Gravesend is a town on the south bank of the Thames. The Towns Pier is the oldest remaining cast-iron pier in the world, with an unspoilt promenade, high street and two shopping centres. Top Boy Series 3 (2019) and Great British Railway Journeys – Series 10 (2019) have both filmed here in the past.

The town of Maidstone has many shops, restaurants, bars, churches and a museum. The River Medway runs though the town centre, linking it with other towns such as Rochester and Chatham. Productions to have filmed in Maidstone include Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes – Series 3 (2020) and The Split Series 2 (2020).

Dartford is a historic market town with a rich industrial heritage and boasts one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. Recent productions to film here include Gangs of London (2020) and The Corrupted (2019).

Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace will air on Monday 1st June and Tuesday 2nd June at 9pm on ITV.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

The First Team (2020)

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Actors Theo Barklem-Biggs, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, Jake Short, Jack McMullen, Will Arnett sitting on a bench in front of a set of lockers wearing red football shirts

Theo Barklem-Biggs, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, Jake Short, Jack McMullen and Will Arnett in The First Team (2020) © Fudgepark

Writers: Damon Beesley and Iain Morris
Director: Iain Morris, Damon Beesley
Starring: Jack McMullen, Jake Short, and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
Production Company: BBC Studios, Fudge Park Productions
Kent Locations Used: Sevenoaks

The First Team (2020) is a six-part British sitcom following the friendship of three young footballers at a fictional Premier League Club. The series follows the mostly off-pitch antics of the boys played by Shaquille Ali-Yebuah (The Feed, Save Me), Jack McMullen (Little Boy Blue, Brotherhood) and Jake Short (All Night, Man of the House) who are far less talented where money and women are concerned than scoring goals. The series also stars Paolo Sassanelli as the mercurial Italian manager Cesare, Will Arnett (The Lego Movie, Arrested Development) as the team’s eccentric American Chairman, Theo Barklem-Biggs (Sliced, White Gold) as resident hard-man Petey Brooks and Chris Geere (Single Parents, Modern Family) as their ineffectual coach Chris Booth.

This sitcom was written and directed by The Inbetweeners creators Iain Morris (Ill Behaviour, Drifters) and Damon Beesley (The Festival, Siblings). Both writers received the British Comedy Award for Best Sitcom in 2008 for The Inbetweeners, and have also won awards for their comedy series White Gold.

Production visited a private residence in Sevenoaks to double as Petey’s (Theo Barklem-Biggs) house and gardens. Sevenoaks is a Kentish town which is home to landmarks such as Knole Park and Riverhill Gardens, both of which have stunning natural and historic significance. Previous productions to film at Knole Park include The Favourite (2019) and Judwaa 2 (2017).

The First Team will air on BBC Two on Thursday 28th May 2020 at 9:30pm.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

The Big Flower Fight (2020)

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Presenters Natasia Demetriou and Vic Reeves standing in display pavilion holding flowers with flowers behind them.

The Big Flower Fight – Natasia Demetriou and Vic Reeves- ©Netflix

Starring: Natasia Demetriou, Vic Reeves, Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht
Production Company: MultiStory Media
Kent Locations Used: Private estate in Kent

The Big Flower Fight (2020) is a new Netflix reality TV series hosted by Comedian Vic Reeves (Vic and Bob’s Big Night Out, House of Fools,) and Natasia Demetriou (What We Do in the Shadows, Stath Lets Flats,) with floral expert Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht as the head judge. The series follows ten teams of experts, including sculptors, florists and designers who will compete for the chance to design and display their extravagant installations at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

The experts will compete over eight episodes to stay in the show, with each hour-long episode presenting a new challenge. At the end of each challenge, one team will be eliminated until the winners are crowned in the series finale.

The series was filmed on a private estate in the heart of Kent.

The Big Flower Fight – starts on Netflix on Monday 18th May 2020.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

Hetty Feather Series 1 – 6 (2015 – 2020)

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Close up of Hetty (Isabel Clifton) wearing a checkered dress pictured smiling at something in the distance.

Isabel Clifton as Hetty in the Hetty Feather series ©BBC

Producer: David Collier
Starring: Isobel Clifton, Tabitha Byron, Rhianna Merralls, Eva Pope, Dasharn Anderson, Polly Allen, Gus Barry, Matthew Ashforde, Aaron Niles, Eleanor Worthington Cox, Isabelle Allen
Production Company: BBC
Kent Locations Used: Belmont House and Gardens – Faversham, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Maidstone TV Studios, Cobham Hall

Nineteenth century hit children’s drama, based on the characters in Jacqueline Wilson’s novel, Hetty Feather, is portrayed on screen over six series. The children’s period drama focuses on the life of Hetty Feather (Isabel Clifton), an orphan, who begins her story at a Victorian Foundling Hospital and later goes into service with Lady Grenfell at Calendar Hall along with her fellow foundlings Gideon and Sheila. Aided by friends and thwarted by enemies, Hetty battles to win her independence and find her real mother.

The series stars Isabel Clifton (The Dumping Ground) as Hetty Feather, with support from Eva Pope (Coronation Street, Waterloo Road), Dasharn Anderson (Doctor Who, Truckers), Polly Allen (The Dumping Ground), Gus Barry (Black Sea, Deadly Intent), Ava Merson O’Brien, Ann Mitchell (EastEnders, Widows), Matthew Ashforde (Oblivious, The Last Englishman), Susan McArdle (Sightseers, Emmerdale), Rosalyn Wright (Star Stories, Doctors) and many more including Tabitha Byron (Femi), and Rhianna Merralls (Carters Get Rich).

Hetty Feather was entirely filmed in Kent, where production visited Cobham Hall as the main orphanage location in Series 1 – 3 and 6 as well as The Maidstone Studios to build various orphanage sets, including classrooms, the kitchen and a library. The Historic Dockyard Chatham doubles as the streets of London throughout all six series with scenes featuring a workhouse, London docks, a railway station, prison, church and market to name but a few. From Series 4 onwards the elegant 18th century Belmont House and Gardens in Faversham features as Calendar Hall and gardens.

In Series 6: The Final Chapter Hetty finds herself in the firing line when tragedy strikes Calendar Hall. The concluding series is told over three parts and features Cobham Hall, Belmont House and Gardens and The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

Isabel Clifton is dressed in a victorian maid's costume as character Hetty Feather stood near a brick wall

Isabel Clifton as Hetty in Hetty Feather Series 6 ©BBC

Cobham Hall is a private boarding school near to Gravesend located in 150 acres of Grade II listed parkland. The interiors boast a stunning ball room, library, cobbled courtyards, formal gardens, classrooms as well as sports facilities, including a swimming pool. Cobham Hall has been used as a film location by The Great Fire (2014), Wild Child (2008) and Bleak House (2005).

Belmont House and Gardens in Faversham is set in gardens and parkland with stunning views over the Estate. The estate also includes 700 acres of woodlands.

The Maidstone Studios  is the UK’s largest independent HD TV studio facility with 5 studios, a sound stage, post production facilities, storage, viewing rooms and parking. The Maidstone Studios has been the film studio for many popular entertainment shows including Take Me Out (2011-2016) and Later…With Jools Holland (2013-2018).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham lies on the River Medway and boasts a variety of Georgian and Victorian architecture, maritime environment, dry dock, cobbled streets, and industrial buildings. The Historic Dockyard Chatham continues to be a popular film location for Hetty Feather, as well as other previous productions such as Junk Rescue (2019) and Call the Midwife (2012-2022).

Hetty Feather Series 1 first aired on 11th May 2015 on CBBC and series one to five are available to view on Amazon Prime.

Series 6 airs on CBBC from Monday 13th April 2020 and all six series are currently available to stream on BBCiPlayer. 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.

Belgravia (2020)

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The cast of Belgravia standing in a row wearing period costumes in front of a brown backdrop.

Belgravia (2020) Episode One © ITV

Creator / Writer: Julian Fellowes
Directors: John Alexander
Starring: Tamsin Greig, Alice Eve, Philip Glenister
Production Company: Carnival Film and Television
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Chatham Dockyard

New ITV drama Belgravia (2020), based on a book by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Gosford Park), is a story of the secrets and scandals amongst the upper echelon of London society in the 19th Century.

The six part series stars Tamsin Greig (Elementary, Harriet Walter (The Spanish Princess)), Alice Eve (Iron Fist) and Philip Glenister (Living the Dream) and the story begins at a legendary ball hosted by the Duchess of Richmond on the fateful evening of the Battle of Waterloo. This sets in motion a series of events that will have consequences for decades to come as secrets unravel behind the porticoed doors of London’s grandest postcode.

The Executive Producer is Gareth Neame (Downton Abbey) and Director is John Alexander (Jamestown).

Production visited The Historic Chatham Dockyard and filmed on Anchor Wharf quayside, the Tarred Yarn Store as a Pimm’s Chop House and the streets around the Ropery to stand in for both a London market and the streets around Girton’s Mill.

The Historic Chatham Dockyard is a historic tourist attraction on the site of a former Royal Naval Dockyard and has been the location for several recent period dramas including Pennyworth (2019) and World On Fire Series 1 (2019).

Belgravia begins on ITV on Sunday 15th March 2020 at 9pm.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.