Quacks (2017)

Group of Quack characters in Victorian attire standing around operating table looking forward

Quacks (C) Lucky Giant – Photographer: Todd Antony

Writer: James Wood

Director: Andy De Emmony

Starring: Rory Kinnear, Mathew Baynton, Tom Basden, Lydia Leonard, Rupert Everett

Production Company: Lucky Giant

Kent locations used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Quacks is a new six-part BBC Two comedy series and follows William,  a young psychiatrist, (Mathew Baynton), Robert, an egotistical surgeon (Rory Kinnear), and John,  a hedonistic anaesthetist (Tom Basden) and their comedic misadventures during the early days of modern medical science in the 1840s.

The impressive ensemble cast includes Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, Quantum of Solace, The Imitation Game), Mathew Baynton (Peep Show, The Wrong Mans, You, Me and the Apocalypse) Tom Basden (Plebs, Star Stories) and Lydia Leonard (Da Vinci’s Demons, Whitechapel), with a guest performance by Rupert Everett (Stardust, St. Trinian’s, The Musketeers) as Dr. Hendrick.

Three Quack characters sitting at bar table looking at camera

Quacks (C) Lucky Giant – Photographer: Mark Johnson

The highly popular Historic Chatham Dockyard, Kent doubled as streets of Victorian London. It was also used as the location of the market place, the apothecary and bareknuckle boxing fight featured in the series.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham has previously been used as a filming location for a vast range of productions such as Close to the Enemy (2016), Mr. Holmes (2015), and Arthur & George (2015) with the over a hundred Georgian and Victorian buildings and cobbled streets making it a popular choice.

The new series of Quacks starts on Tuesday 15th August on BBC Two at 10pm.

 

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


Great British Railway Journeys – Series 7 (2016)

Michael Portillo standing on a steam train in front of the control panel

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

 

Production company: Talkback Thames

Kent Locations used: Dover, Romney Marsh, Dungeness, Ashford, Sevenoaks, Knole Park

Series seven of Great British Railway returns to BBC Two, as presenter Michael Portillo travels on the great train routes of Europe and retraces the journeys featured in George Bradshaw’s 1913 Continental Railway Guide.

In episode six of the new series, Portillo embarks on a new railway journey along the south coast of England which starts at the port of Dover where he is inspired by a brave Victorian sea captain to plunge into the English Channel. Next he takes the spectacular Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch miniature steam railway through the Romney Marsh to Dungeness before heading to Eastbourne.

Episode 16 sees Michael Portillo journey from Ashford to Sevenoaks starting by lending a hand at a state-of-the-art train maintenance plant which is home to the High Speed 1 trains. Next he tracks east to Marden and is moved by music played on Queen Victoria’s personal piano before ending his journey in Sevenoaks where he ends the journey at Knole Park, seat of the Sackville-West family.

Dover is home to Europe’s busiest ferry port as well as the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and Dover Castle. Productions which have previously filmed in the Dover area include Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Mr Selfridge Series 3 (2015) and Poirot – The Clocks (2009).

Romney Marsh is renowned for its unique natural beauty, diverse wild life and extensive coastline. The Romney Marshes have been used as a film location for The Honourable Woman (2014), Parade’s End (2012) and Dr Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1964).

The desolate landscape of Dungeness is largely made up of shingle with wooden houses, power station, lighthouses and extensive gravel pits. The Dungeness area has previously been seen on screen on Homes By The Sea (2014) and Eastenders (2007).

The market town of Ashford has shops, eateries, a designer outlet shopping centre and has great links with London and Europe which are just a train ride away through Ashford International train station. Ashford and surrounding areas has been used as a film location from visiting productions including The Apprentice (2015), The Monuments Men (2014) and Emma (2009).

Sevenoaks is a town in West Kent with vibrant shopping streets, architectural treats and historic buildings including Knole Park which is nestled in a medieval deer-park and full of hidden treasures.  The area has welcomed filming from productions such as Rush (2013) and Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides (2011)

The Dover to Lewes episode of Great British Railway aired on Monday 11th January 2016 at 18.30 on BBC Two and the Ashford to Sevenoaks episode is on Monday 25th January 2016 at 18.30 on BBC Two .

 

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

 


The Great Interior Design Challenge (2014)

The Great Interior Design Challenge Sophie Robinson, Tom Dyckhoff, Daniel Hopwood stood in front of a building with trees in the backgroun

The Great Interior Design Challenge Sophie Robinson, Tom Dyckhoff, Daniel Hopwood © BBC Studio Lambert Alun Callender

Production company: Studio Lambert

Kent Locations: Marden – Maidstone

The Great Interior Design Challenge is a BBC Two show which searches for the countries best amateur interior designers as contestants battle it out in a variety of challenges to try and impress both the judges and homeowners.

Episode 10 of series 2 sees mum-of-three, Kelly, teashop owner Kate and fashion graduate Alex compete to gain a place in the quarter-finals as they take on awkward dimensions in three bedrooms of converted oast houses in Kent. With just three days and a budget of £1,000, who will be able to demonstrate their skills and inventiveness and the two places?

The production visited Marden in the Maidstone area where they filmed at a couple of the converted oasts.

Marden is a rural village in the Maidstone district of Kent and boasts a church, library and local amenities. Maidstone has welcomed filming from productions such as Couples Come Dine With Me (2014) and Missing (2009).

The Kent episode of The Great Interior Design Challenge will be shown on Tuesday 18th November 2014 at 19:00 on BBC Two.

 

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


Legacy (2013)

 

Three cast members all staring at the camera.

Legacy © Slim Productions and BBC

Director: Pete Travis

Writers: Alan Judd (Novel), Paula Milne (Screenplay)

Starring: Andrew Scott, Romola Garai, Charlie Cox, Geraldine James, Olivia Grant

Production company: Slim Film + Television

Kent Locations: Deal

Legacy is a BBC TV film based on Alan Judd’s novel of the same name which is set in 1970’s London during the height of the Cold War where a trainee MI6 spy is tasked to seek out a former friend, now a Russian diplomat with the hope of “turning” him. As both men have their own agendas, a dangerous game of cat and mouse begins around a secret plan for a lethal attack within the UK.

The film is part of BBC Two’s Cold War Season and stars many familiar faces including Andrew Scott (Sherlock, Saving Private Ryan), Romola Garai (The Last Days on Mars, Amazing Grace), Charlie Cox (Boardwalk Empire, Stardust), Geraldine James (Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland) and Olivia Grant (Mr.Nice, Lark Rise to Candleford). 

Legacy © Slim Productions and BBC

Legacy © Slim Productions and BBC

The screenplay is adapted by award-winning writer Paula Milne (The Politician’s Husband, Endgame) and directed by BAFTA-winning Pete Travis (Dredd, Omagh) and is the second time the pair has collaborated since the 2009 film Endgame.

The Legacy production team visited Deal in July 2013 where they filmed the two main characters meeting at the pier as well as scenes on the seafront where a car pulls up and a man gets out and make a call from a public phone box.

Deal is a town in East Kent situated between Dover and Ramsgate and has a wealth of independent shops, eateries and delightful seafront with a pier and maritime clock. Previous productions that have taken advantage of the area including The Tunnel (2013), Little Dorrit (2008) and Ruby Blue (2008).

Don’t miss Legacy will be shown on BBC Two at 21:00 on Thursday 28th November 2013.

 

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


Whistle and I’ll Come To You (2010)

John Hurt wearing a dressing gown with one arm holding the dirty wall behind. Looking slightly distressed,.

John Hurt stars as James Parkin in Whistle and I’ll Come To You © BBC/Laurie Sparham

Starring: John Hurt, Gemma Jones, Lesley Sharp
Kent Filming LocationsBotany Bay, Kingsgate Bay and the Sea Pavilion at Walpole Bay

BBC2 drama Whistle and I’ll Come To You is a modern adaptation of M R James’ Edwardian ghost story which stars John Hurt (Merlin, Hellboy) as James Parkin who after leaving his wife in a nursing home travels to their favourite destination, a quiet seaside town. On a deserted beach he has an encounter with an apparition which continues to haunt him for the rest of his stay.

The one off drama was written and adapted by Neil Cross and explores the themes of ageing, supernatural with a psychological element throughout.

The drama also stars Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones Diary, Sense and Sensibility) and Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey, The Full Monty). 

Kingsgate Bay is a small sandy bay surrounded by white chalk cliffs with it having some of the best sea caves in the country and has been used by Sulphur and White (2019) . Nearby Botany Bay which also has a white cliff backdrop is a popular filming location and has been used for productions such as True Love (2012) and Hunderby (2012).

Whistle and I’ll Come To You was shown on BBC TWO 24th December 2010 at 22:00. 

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