Author: Kent Film Office

Draw It! (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Mel Giedroyc wearing a yellow jacket standing in front of a podium in front of pictures

Mel Giedroyc presenting Draw It © Channel 4

 

Production company: Victory Television

Kent Locations: The Maidstone Studios

Draw It! is a new Channel Four game show hosted by Mel Giedroyc based on the hugely popular smart phone app Draw Something, and is filmed at Kent’s very own The Maidstone Studios.

Each show sees two teams, made up of one contestant and one celebrity, go head to head in three rounds of drawing challenges, and the contestant with the least points is eliminated at the end of the show. With a £5000 prize up for grabs, it’s all to play for in the battle of the doodlers!

Celebrities which feature in the show include radio and television broadcaster Terry Wogan, actress and presenter Nadia Sawalha, dance expert Louie Spence, comedian and actress Jenny Eclair and Strictly Come Dancing Star Anton Du Beke.

The Maidstone Studios is set over an 11 acre site and boasts 5 studios, a sound stage, post production facilities, storage and over 400 free parking spaces. Hit shows such as The Split (2020)have been filmed here.

Don’t miss Draw It! which starts on Channel 4 on Monday 5 May 2014 at 16:30.

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

The Crimson Field (2014)

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osalie Berwick (Marianne Oldham), Kitty Trevelyan (Oona Chaplin), Flora Marshall (Alice ST Clair) dressed as midwives standing in front of old fashioned shelves

Rosalie Berwick (Marianne Oldham), Kitty Trevelyan (Oona Chaplin), Flora Marshall (Alice ST Clair) © BBC – Photographer: Todd Antony

Directed by: David Evans, Richard Clark, Thaddeus O’Sullivan

Written By: Sarah Phelps

Starring: Oona Chaplin, Kevin Doyle, Anthony Farrelly, Kerry Fox, Suranne Jones, Hermione Norris, Marianne Oldham

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The Crimson Field is a 6 part WW1 drama created as part of the BBC’s First World War Centenary Season. It focuses on the story of three new voluntary aid detachment (VAD’s) recruits, Kitty Trevelyan (Oona Chaplin), Flora (Alice St. Clair) and Rosalie Berwick (Marianne Oldham), who have left their old lives behind to volunteer at a field hospital in war torn France. 

When the three new VAD’s arrive at the field hospital in Northern France and begin putting their training into practise, they realise that the reality of volunteering is harsher than they imagined. Feeling under prepared, all of the girls must learn to cope with the traumas that war brings.

Starring Oona Chaplin (Game of Thrones, Quantum of Solace), Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey, Scott and Bailey), Anthony Farrelly (Midsomer Murders, New Tricks), Kerry Fox (Patrick’s Day, Trap for Cinderella), Suranne Jones (Scott and Bailey, Coronation Street), Hermione Norris (Outcasts, Spooks), and Marianne Oldham (Titus, WPC 56).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham was used as the port of Boulogne in Northern France, where the VAD’s disembark before heading to the hospital. HMS Gannet features as the ship and was recently the focus of a £3million restoration project, returning the ship to its former glory.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Kent’s most popular filming destinations previously hosting productions such as Call the Midwife (2012-2013), Les Miserables (2013) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

The Crimson Field is next on BBC1 on Sunday 13th April 2014 at 9pm.

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

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

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Kermit the frog standing in front of a wall of wanted posters featuring his face

Muppets Most Wanted © 2013 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Director: James Bobin

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Hugh Bonneville

Production company: Walt Disney Pictures, Mandeville Films

Kent Locations: Historic Dockyard in Chatham

Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted sees the whole Muppets gang on a grand world tour that takes an unexpected turn when they become involved with an international jewel thief who is a Kermit the Frog look-a-like.

Starring alongside the Muppets gang is Ricky Gervais (The Office, The Invention of Lying) Ty Burrell (The Incredible Hulk, Dawn of the Dead), Tina Fey (30 Rock, Mean Girls), and Hugh Bonneville (Notting Hill, The Monuments Men).

Picture of the puppets from the Muppets standing on a railway platform.

Muppets Most Wanted © 2013 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham  doubled as Berlin where Kermit decides to go for a lonely walk after having an argument with Miss Piggy. Upon entering a square he is duped by the evil Kermit look-a-like, leading to Kermit’s arrest. 

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham is set over 80 acres and contains over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings. It is a popular filming location and has been  used for productions such as Call the Midwife (2012-2014),  Sherlock Holmes  (2009) and Sherlock Holmes – Game of Shadows (2011).

Don’t miss Muppets Most Wanted which is released in cinemas on 28 March 2014.

 

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

Ade at Sea (2014)

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Ade standing on a fishing boat with the sea and other boats behind

Ade at Sea © ITV

Production Company: ITV Studios

Kent Locations used: Thames Estuary – Redsand Forts, Whitstable Harbour, The Historic Dockyard Chatham

ITV’s new 5 part series, Ade at Sea, sees actor and presenter Ade Edmondson set sail to explore the history of Maritime Britain and meet people whose lives are still influenced by the sea today.

In the second episode of the series, Ade travels along the Thames Estuary visiting Kent locations such as The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Whitstable Harbour and Redsand Forts, also known as The Maunsell Forts.

With its cobbled streets, Georgian and Victorian architecture and period features spread across 80 acres, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular filming location having been seen on screen in productions such as Mr Selfridge (2013-2014), Les Miserables (2012) and The Mummy (1999).

Whitstable is a seaside town near Canterbury and is famous for its annual Oyster Festival as well as the delightful harbour, shingle beach, busy high street and strong arts and culture scene.  Whitstable has been previously seen on screen in productions such as Things I Haven’t Told You (2008).   

The Redsand Forts are metal and concrete structures which were built as bombing defences during the Second World War and are located 6 miles out into the Thames Estuary off the coast of Whitstable. They have previously been used on screen for projects such as a Prodigy music video and a Red Bull challenge!

Don’t miss the Thames Estuary episode of Ade at Sea which airs on Thursday 27th March 2014 at 20:30 on ITV1.

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

Sport Relief’s Top Dog (2014)

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Gaby Roseline crouched down next to three dogs. Sport relief's top dog written in red writing

Gaby Roseline © BBC Sport Relief/Jon Cottam

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations used: The Maidstone Studios

Gabby Roseline presents Sport Relief’s Top Dog, a fun new game show testing the talents of various dogs of all shapes and sizes in aid of Sport Relief. In every episode there are two teams, each consisting of a celebrity and their dog, a professional dog and their handler and a pet dog with their owner.

Peaches Geldof- Cohen and her dog Parper doing a dog obstacle course.

Peaches Geldof- Cohen and her dog Parper © BBC Sport Relief/Jon Cottam

The 15-part series consists of 12 knockout rounds where each week a new team faces various fun challenges and games is filmed at The Maidstone Studios. The only way to stay in the competition is to defeat their component using only sausages to help them! Each hopeful is competing for the title of Top Dog which will be announced during Sport Relief on the 21st March.

Celebrity team captains include Sally Gunnell with Diggy the Labrador, Peaches Geldof-Cohen  with her retriever Parper, Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna and her dog Paige, presenter Matthew Wright with his schnauzer, Wiggy and Chef Ainsley Harriot with his golden Labrador, Bobby.

The Maidstone Studios is the UK’s largest independent HD TV studio facility consisting of 5 studios, a sound stage, post production facilities, storage and over 400 free parking spaces. The studios has previously welcomed productions such as Take Me Out (2010-2019) and Got To Dance.

Don’t miss the show which begins on the 3 March 2014 on BBC2 at 18:30 and will be shown at the same time, every week day, until the final on the 21 March 2014.

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

Edge of Heaven (2014)

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Edge of Heaven cast standing in front of a hotel

Edge of Heaven © Hartswood Films/ITV

Starring: Blake Harrison, Justine Michelle Cain, Camille Coduri, Nitin Kundra, Laura Checkley, Louisa Lytton, Marcia Warren, Adrian Scarborough, Robert Evans

Production company: Hartswood Films

Kent Locations: Margate, Broadstairs, Morelli’s and Morgan’s

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) standing by the seaside with the beach and town behind him

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) © Hartswood Films/ITV

Edge of Heaven is a new six part ITV comedy drama series which displays life at Margate’s finest , and only, ‘80s themed B&B, run by the chaotic Taylor-Chatterjee family,  Wham!-loving Judy and her black pudding enthusiast Husband Tandeep,  and her grown up children, demobbed soldier Ann-Marie and Alfie, whose life is going badly ever since his fiancée Carly left him at the altar.

Edge of Heaven is a Hartswood Films production for ITV, and is produced by Elaine Cameron (Sherlock, Jekyll) and Paul McKenzie (Sadie J, Dani’s House). The series was written by Robert Evans (Stella), who also stars in the sitcom.

The comedy will feature Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners), Justine Michelle Cain (Some Girls), Camille Coduri (Doctor Who), Nitin Kundra (Steel River Blues), Laura Checkley (Rosemary and Thyme), Louisa Lytton (EastEnders), Marcia Warren (Vicious) and Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey).

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) carrying JUSTINE CAIN (Carly) across the sandy beach

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) and JUSTINE CAIN (Carly) © Hartswood Films/ITV

The production visited Margate and Broadstairs between September and October 2013 to film on location and shoot exterior scenes including the B&B which is in Albert Terrace. The interiors of the B&B were filmed at Longcross Studios.

Margate is the quintessential British seaside town, with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, and historic architecture. The town has lots to offer, including Turner Contemporary, quirky shops, independent galleries and trendy cafes. Margate is a popular filming location, having previously welcomed productions like True Love (2012) and The Apprentice (2009).

Broadstairs is in East Kent offers a sandy beach, Viking Bay lined with traditional beach huts, a band stand and large Victorian terraces as well as a busy high street and many food and drink establishments. The area has previously been used as a film locations by Eastenders (2015) and The Fixer (2008). 

Don’t miss the series, which starts on 21 February 2014 at 21:00 on ITV1.

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

 

The Monuments Men (2014)

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The Monuments Men movie poster- 6 cast members in seperate boxes, with their surnames written next to them. Monuments Men is written in red underneath,

The Monuments Men movie poster © Columbia Pictures and 20th Century Fox

Director: George Clooney

Writers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov

Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban

Production company Fox 2000 Pictures, Smokehouse Pictures, Studio Babelsberg

Kent Filming Locations: Farm in High Halden, Ashford

Frank Stokes (George Clooney), James Granger (Matt Damon) and Donald Jeffries (Hugh Bonneville) walking in front of an airplane wing

Frank Stokes (George Clooney), James Granger (Matt Damon) and Donald Jeffries (Hugh Bonneville) © Columbia Pictures and 20th Century Fox

 

The Monuments Men is an action drama film based on the true story of one of the greatest treasure hunts in history, where an unlikely team are tasked to go to Germany during World War II and rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their rightful owners.

With the German Army under instructions to destroy all of the artwork, the Monuments Men as they were known, consisting of museum directors, curators, and art historians are tasked to go behind enemy lines and retrieve the art and are willing to risk their lives to protect and defend mankind’s greatest achievements.

Frank Stokes (George Clooney) and James Granger (Matt Damon) sitting at a bar having a drink

Frank Stokes (George Clooney) and James Granger (Matt Damon) © Columbia Pictures and 20th Century Fox

Directed, co-written and starring George Clooney (Up In The Air, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) the film also stars a wealth of talent including Matt Damon (Bourne Trilogy, The Departed) , Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine, Lord of the Rings series), Bill Murray (Lost in Translation, Ghostbusters), John Goodman (The Big Lebowski, Argo), Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Burke and Hare), Jean Dujardin (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Artist) and Bob Balaban (Girls, Gosford Park).

In June 2013, the production visited a farm in High Halden, Ashford where they filmed establishing shots of the farmland. A number of the production team also chose to stay in Ashford whilst filming scenes in Camber Sands in neighbouring East Sussex.

Ashford is a lively town with tremendous rail links, both to Europe via the Eurostar and to the capital via the High Speed Javelin. The town boasts many shops, eateries, and a designer outlet shopping centre and only a short drive away is a glorious Kent countryside. This isn’t the first time that Ashford and surrounding areas has been used for filming with previous visiting productions including Emma (2009).

Don’t miss The Monuments Men which is released in cinemas on 14 February 2014.

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

 

Britain’s Best Bakery (2014)

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Britain’s Best Bakery Judges Mich Turner and Peter Sidwell standing outside in front of a pond

Britain’s Best Bakery Judges Mich Turner and Peter Sidwell © ITV

Production company: Shine Limited

Kent locations used:  Whitstable

Britain’s Best Bakery returns to ITV for a second series in the search for the best independent bakery in the UK.

The expert judges Mitch Turner (TV chef, author and owner of Little Venice Cake Company) and Peter Sidwell (TV chef, cookery writer and restaurateur) must whittle 60 competitors down to one champion as they travel across the UK to choose their favourite bakeries from each region. The remaining contestants will then compete in ‘baking challenges’ to fight for the crown.

In June 2013, the production visited Geoff Champs of Champs Bakery in Whitstable to learn about his business and passion for baking. Will Champs Bakery make it through to the South East final?

Whitstable is a seaside town near Canterbury and is famous for its annual Oyster Festival as well as the delightful fishing harbour, shingle beach, busy high street and strong arts and culture scene. The area has been previously seen on screen in productions such Venus (2007).

Don’t miss the episode featuring Kent bakery Champs which airs on Thursday 6th January 2014 on ITV at 16:00.

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

Great British Railway Journeys (2014)

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Great British Railway Journeys- presenter walking towards the camera with white cliffs behind

Great British Railway Journeys © BBC/Boundless, part of FremantleMedia UK

Production Company: Talkback Thames

Kent locations used: Gravesend, Rochester, Faversham, Dover, Tonbridge

This BBC Two series follows journalist and broadcaster Michael Portillo as he travels the country by train and looks into how Britain’s railways have shaped the country as well as the impact trains have had on our lives. 

On the journey between cathedral cities Norwich and Chichester, Michael Portillo travels across the South East and visits some delightful Kent locations. In episode 18 of the fifth series, he visits Gravesend where he discovers how army officer General Gordon influenced the town before he travels to Rochester to explore the one time home of renowned writer Charles Dickens.

Michael Portillo, John Owen in front of the entrance to Shepherd Neame brewery

Michael Portillo, John Owen at Shepherd Neame brewery © BBC/Boundless, part of FremantleMedia UK

In the next episode, Michael starts his journey in Faversham where he visits one of the oldest breweries in the country, Shepherd Neame, to investigate how railways helped the brewery transport beer. He then visits Dover to explore the fortification at Western Heights before heading to Tonbridge where he learns how railways helped Tonbridge School to cricketing glory. 

Gravesend is on the south bank of the River Thames and has a cast iron pier, promenade and high street as well as international links at the nearby Ebbsfleet International station. Gravesend has welcomed other film productions such as  Long Lost Family: Born without Trace (2020).

Rochester is a historic City that boasts an impressive cathedral and castle that links back to the medieval period. The City has strong connections with Charles Dickens, and many TV and film adaptations of his famous novels have filmed in the area.

Faversham is a beautiful, historic market town which boasts nearly 500 listed buildings and is set on the picturesque Faversham Creek. It has many restaurants, shops, attractions and beautiful walks and has been used for various productions including Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013) and the nearby Oare Marshes were used in feature film Great Expectations (2012).

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover and Europe’s busiest passenger port. The area has been used for many filming projects such as  Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Tonbridge is a West Kent market town with a rich cultural heritage and spectacular scenery. The area is surrounded beautiful countryside and boasts castles, stately homes, gardens, farms, as well as sports and leisure facilities. Productions that have previously filmed in the area include Missing (2010).

Don’t miss the Kent episodes of Great British Railway Journeys which will be shown on Wednesday 29 January 2014 at 18:30 on BBC Two and Thursday 30 January 2014 at 18:30 on BBC Two.

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

Take Me Out (2010-2019)

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Take Me Out - cast of girls on a staircase with host paddy in front.

Take Me Out – Series 6 © Thames and ITV

Production Company: Talkback Thames
Kent Locations Used: The Maidstone Studios

Take Me Out (2010-2019) is a dating gameshow that aired on ITV. Hosted by King of matchmaking Paddy McGuinness, the show sees 30 single ladies try to have their dream date on the Isle of Fernando with one of the eligible bachelors that arrive via the Love Lift.

From 2010 to 2019, the show was recorded at The Maidstone Studios.

In 2012, a spin-off after show titled Take Me Out: The Gossip (2012-2015) began airing. Filming locations for the spin-off included Rochester Castle and Canterbury.

The Maidstone Studios is an independent TV studio complex on an 11-acre site with 5 television studios, dubbing facilities, edit suites, a fully saturated lighting grid and office space. It has previously welcomed shows such as Series 2 of The Split (2020) and Series 2 of This Time with Alan Partridge (2021).

Rochester Castle is a 12th Century Castle set in beautiful gardens and overlooks the River Medway. The castle has been used as a film location by The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Veer (2010).

The vibrant City of Canterbury has a Cathedral, busy shopping areas, parks and open spaces and two universities. The Canterbury area has previously been seen on screen on A Canterbury Tale (1944) and Rustom (2016).

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