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The Gentlemen (2024)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Theo James as Eddie Halstead is sitting in a red leather armchair in a grand library. He is holding a glass of red wine in one hand. He is wearing a tan-coloured shirt, grey formal trousers and a watch.

Theo James in The Gentlemen (2024) © Kevin Baker / Netflix

Creator: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson
Production Company: Miramax Television, Moonage Pictures, Toff Guy Films
Kent Locations Used: Detling Diner, Maidstone, Ashford Cattle Market

Based on the 2019 film of the same name, The Gentlemen (2024) is an eight-part crime-drama series for Netflix. After the death of his father, Eddie Halstead inherits a large estate, unaware it is the front for a drug empire. With no experience in the criminal underworld, Eddie must take over the operation or lose everything.

Created by Guy Ritchie (The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015), Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows (2011)), the series stars Theo James (Divergent, Castlevania) as Eddie Halstead, Kaya Scodelario (Southcliffe (2013), True Love (2012)) as Susie Glass, Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie, Lovesick) as Freddy Halstead and Joely Richardson (The Rook (2019), Nip/Tuck) as Lady Sabrina Halstead.

Filming took place at the Detling Diner in Maidstone, along the A249 by Jade’s Crossing and the Ashford Cattle Market.

As the county town of Kent and seat of local governance, Maidstone plays an important part in Kent’s history. The River Medway runs through Maidstone’s town centre, which is bustling with many shops, restaurants, bars, churches and a museum. Recent productions to have filmed in Maidstone include This Time with Alan Partridge Season 2 (2021), Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022) and The Last Rite (2021).

With high-speed connections to London, Ashford is a busy market town with a bustling town centre that boasts two shopping malls, vibrant cafés and pubs and a partly pedestrianised high street. The Thompsons (2012) also filmed in Ashford.

The Gentlemen (2024) will be released on Netflix on Thursday 7th March 2024.

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

The Beekeeper (2024)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Jason Statham as Adam Clay stands against a yellow backdrop. He wears a beekeeping uniform, without the helmet, and is surrounded by bees. He is looking determinedly off to the right of the image. In the bottom left of the image in white text is written ‘Miramax a beIN Media Group and Paramount company’.

The Beekeeper (2024) © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

Director: David Ayer
Starring: Jason Statham, Josh Hutcherson, Jeremy Irons, Emmy Raver-Lampman
Production Company: Cedar Park Studios, Miramax
Kent Locations Used: Castle Farm & Lower Austin Lodge, Kingsferry Bridge

The Beekeeper (2024) follows Adam Clay, a former operative of a secret organisation known as The Beekeepers.  After his friend falls victim to scamming by a phishing company, he sets out to exact revenge.

Directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch), the film stars Jason Statham (Crank, Redemption (2013)) as Adam Clay, Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Bridge to Terabithia) as Derek Danforth, Jeremy Irons (The Mission (1986), Waterland (1992)) as Wallace Westwyld and Emmy Raver-Lampman (The Umbrella Academy, Central Park) as Agent Verona Parker.

Production visited Kent to film at Castle Farm & Lower Austin Lodge, which doubles for Mrs Parker’s (Phylicia Rashad) cottage and beekeeping farm. Filming also took place on the Kingsferry Bridge, involving a vehicle being driven off the bridge into the Swale Estuary below.

Set in a picturesque, unspoilt farmyard nestled into a valley of trees and arable fields sits Lower Austin Lodge, a Grade II listed 16th Century farmhouse complete with original features and a modern renovated interior. A popular filming location, it is part of the Castle Farm estate – set within 1,200 acres of land with varied landscapes, it includes lavender fields, hop gardens, apple orchards, bluebell woodlands and meadows. It is particularly popular for photoshoots and music videos but has also played host to Road Games (2016).

The Kingsferry Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge that links the Isle of Sheppey to mainland Kent. The bridge isn’t as busy as it once was since the new Sheppey Crossing was built next to it, and therefore can potentially be closed for filming. Too Close (2021), Kiss Me First (2018) and Silent Witness Series 26 (2023) feature the Kingsferry Bridge.

The Beekeeper (2024) will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 12th January 2024.

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

Gandeevadhari Arjuna (2023)

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Varun Tej as Arjun sits on a low concrete wall. Behind him is a city skyline on fire. He wears a black suit and is holding a gun.

Gandeevadhari Arjuna (2023) © Netflix

Director: Praveen Sattaru
Starring: Varun Tej, Sakshi Vaidya, Nassar, Vinay Rai, Vimala Raman
Production Company: Cloud9 Studio, Film the Agency, Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, Sukumar Writings
Kent Locations Used: The Pines

Gandeevadhari Arjuna (2023) is an Indian Telugu-language film following Arjun Varma, an ex-RAW operative now tasked with protecting the Indian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, who has become the prime target for an assassination by his rival.

Directed by Praveen Sattaru (Chandamama Kathalu, Life Before Wedding), the film stars Varun Tej (Valmiki, Kanche) as Arjun Varma, Sakshi Vaidya (Agent) as Ira, Nassar (Baahubali: The Beginning, Fair Game) as Adityaraj Bahadur, Vinay Rai (Doctor, Etharkkum Thunindhavan) as Ranveer and Vimala Raman (Asvins (2023), Dam999) as Priya Bahadur.

The Pines in Maidstone doubles for Priya’s house in Wembley.

Situated in the village of Bearsted, The Pines is a 5-bedroom contemporary family home set in 1.5 acres of woodland.

Gandeevadhari Arjuna (2023) was released on Netflix on Sunday 24th September 2023.

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

Who Is Erin Carter? (2023)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Evin Ahmad as Erin Collantes sits at a kitchen table. She is holding a revolver which she is loading with bullets. On the table are three empty bottles of beer, two glasses, a case of bullets and a children’s drawing.

Evin Ahmad in Who Is Erin Carter? (2023) © Netflix

Writer: Jack Lothian
Starring: Evin Ahmad, Sean Teale, Douglas Henshall, Susannah Fielding, Indica Watson
Production Company: Left Bank Pictures
Kent Locations Used: Folkestone Harbour, Grand Burstin Hotel

Who Is Erin Carter? (2023) follows Erin Collantes, a British teacher living a quiet life in Spain. When she’s caught up in a supermarket robbery and the robbers seem to recognise her, her family realise there might be more to Erin than meets the eye.

Written by Jack Lothian (Doc Martin, Strike Back), the series stars Evin Ahmad (Snabba Cash, Beyond Dreams) as Erin Collantes, Sean Teale (Rosaline, The Gifted) as her husband Jordi, Douglas Henshall (Shetland, Primeval) as Daniel Long, Susannah Fielding (This Time With Alan Partridge (2021), Life) as Olivia, and Indica Watson (The Midwich Cuckoos, Deep State) as Erin’s daughter Harper.

Various scenes for Episode 1 of the series were filmed in Folkestone, including on the Harbour Arm, The Stade and the Grand Burstin Hotel.

Folkestone is a seaside town with elegant clifftop promenade, lower coastal park, fishing harbour and Victorian cliff-top lifts. Other productions who have filmed there recently include Pistol (2022), The Fight (2019) and Seagull (2018).

Who Is Erin Carter? (2023) will be released on Netflix on Thursday 24th August 2023.

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

Break (2020)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
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 Old Guard (2020)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
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.

The Capture (2019)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
A female detective wearing a suit standing at a desk with big screens behind her showing a fugitive and CCTV footage.

The Capture ©IMDb

Writer: Ben Chanan
Director: Ben Chanan
Starring: Holliday Grainger, Callum Turner, Ralph Ineson, Famke Janssen, Ron Perlman.
Production Companies: BBC One, Heyday Television, NBCUniversal International Studios
Kent Locations Used: Canterbury Prison

Sean Emery (Callum Turner) returns to take care of his daughter after being wrongly imprisoned in Afghanistan on murder charges. However, his life is once again turned upside down when new CCTV footage emerges which seems to suggest incriminating evidence. DI Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) is determined to get to the bottom of the story and soon discovers the truth may not be all that it seems.

Written and directed by Ben Chanan (Cyberbully, Our World War), this gripping six-part drama with a focus on technology stars Holliday Grainger (Cinderella, The Finest Hours) as DI Rachel Carey and Sean Emery is played by Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Assassin’s Creed). Ralph Ineson (The Witch, Guardians of the Galaxy), Famke Janssen (GoldenEye, X-Men) and Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy) also star.

Production visited Canterbury Prison to shoot for two days in 2018.

Canterbury Prison was sold to Canterbury Christ Church University in 2014 and is now part of the university campus. The surrounding area of Canterbury has had a few films created in the area, including The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016) and The Rizen (2017).

Episode One of The Capture will air on Tuesday 3rd September 2019 on BBC One at 9pm.

 

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

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

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Animated yellow Detective Pikachu seen smiling at the camera wearing a cap. Utensils and pipes in the background.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu ©Warner Bros. Studios

Writer: Nicole Perlman and Rob Letterman
Director: Rob Letterman
Starring: Ryan Reynolds (voice), Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Rita Ora, Ken Watanabe, Bill Nighy
Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary, The Pokémon Company
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Based upon the Nintendo video game and later a tv anime and interactive App, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is a feature film combining live elements and animation. The story centres on Tim (Justice Smith) who is looking for his missing father in the metropolis of Rhyme City in the Kanto Region. Accompanying him on this quest is Pokémon Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) and together they find some dark secrets in the city.

The film stars Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, The Hitman’s Bodyguard) as the voice of Pikachu, Justice Smith (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, The Get Down), Kathryn Newton (Supernatural, Big Little Lies), Rita Ora (Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Free), Ken Watanabe (Godzilla, Isle of Dogs) and Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest). Directed by Rob Lettermen (Gulliver’s Travels, Goosebumps) and written by him with Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy).

Some scenes in the film were shot on Anchor Wharf at The Historic Dockyard Chatham which has hosted many films including Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Peterloo (2018) and TV shows such as Call the Midwife (2012-2020) and Vanity Fair (2018).

POKÉMON Detective Pikachu was released in UK cinemas on Friday 10th May 2019.

 

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

King of Thieves (2018)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

King of Thieves Movie Poster with pink background and main actors faces in the shape of a diamond.

King of Thieves Movie Poster ©IMDb

 

Writer: Joe Penhall

Director: James Marsh

Starring: Michael Caine, Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay

Production Company: Working Title Films

Kent Locations Used: The Harbour Arm, Turner Contemporary, Wig and Pen Pub, Nayland Rock Hotel, Margate train station, and Dover

Feature film King of Thieves is based on the infamous Hatton Garden Robbery, in which a crew of retired crooks pull off a major heist in London’s jewelry district. The thieves, most of them in their 60s and 70s, employ their old-school tricks of the trade to plan the heist over the Easter holiday weekend of 2015. After taking over £200 million worth of jewels, arguments erupt in the group as the police start to move in on the group.

Starring Michael Cain (The Dark Knight, the quiet American, The Prestige) as widower Brian Reader, Michael Gambon  (The Kings speech, Harry Potter) as Billy ‘The Fish’ Lincoln. Tom Courtenay (45 years, Nicholas Nickleby) as John Kenny Collins.

A short scene was filmed at the footbridge that leads to Shakespeare’s Beach in Aycliffe, Dover, but the main bulk of the scenes were filmed in and around Margate, including scenes at the Wig and Pen Pub, the Nayland Rock Hotel, Harbour Arm in Margate, outside the Turner Contemporary, and a scene at Margate Train Station.

Margate is a popular film location for films and has recently featured in film productions such as King Lear (2018), The Carer (2016) and True Love (2012).

Dover, where production filmed a small scene, is the site of the famous white cliffs of Dover and has been used in films such as Sherlock Holmes (2011).

The film will be released in cinemas on Friday 14th September 2018.

 

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

Hurricane (2018)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Official Hurricane Movie Poster- Crashed plane at the bottom of the poster, three main characters at the centre of the poster in period clothing, planes and london skyline in background. Hurricane reads in the centre

Official Hurricane Movie Poster ©IMDb

 

Writers: Robert Ryan and Alastair Galbraith

Director: David Blair

Starring: Iwan Rheon, Milo Gibson, Stefanie Martini

Production Company: Head Gear Films

Kent Locations Used: Victoria Gardens & Stone Bay, Thanet

Hurricane is the story of Squadron 303, a group of courageous Polish soldiers who fought with British troops in the skies to defend England in WWII. The story is told through the eyes of Polish flying ace Jan Zumbach (Iwan Rheon), whose hope it is, that Britain can defeat the Nazis and free his own country.

Starring Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones, Our Girl) as Jan Zumbach, Milo Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge, Gangster Land) as John Kent and Stefanie Martini (Prime Suspect, Endeavour) as Phyllis Lambert.

Victoria Gardens was used in one of the scenes scene with a bus where Josef Frantisek (Krystof Hádek) meets Jan Zumbach (Iwan Rheon) and Ziggy (Matt Malecki). Victoria Gardens, Broadstairs is situated in Thanet which is home to some of the most beautiful Georgian, Victorian and Regency buildings. Broadstairs has a is a sandy beach with sea-carved chalk cliffs with the scenery being used in the film when a character parachutes onto the beach from a war plane.

There was also a beach scene at Stone Bay, Broadstairs, where Jan Zumbach (Iwan Rheon) is seen walking off a beach (this follows him stealing a plane in France to fly to England).

Broadstairs is situated in Thanet which is home to many beautiful Georgian, Victorian and Regency buildings. The area is a popular location for a variety of films and TV series including Liar (2017), The Lady in the Van (2015), The Calling (2009,  Mr Selfridge Series 4 (2016).

The film is due to be released in the UK on 7th September 2018.

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