Things You Should Have Done (2024)

Jamie Bisping as Lucas, Selin Hizli as Aunt Karen, Lucia Keskin as Chi and Daniel Fearn as Dan are standing in front of a 1970’s built house with partial white cladding.. Chi is resting her head on Aunt Karen’s shoulder, who is looking down at her, displeased. Lucas is wearing a red zip-up tracksuit jacket, Karen a black faux leather jacket with fur trim and a leopard print blouse, Chi a multi-coloured windbreaker and Dan is wearing a blue and green striped-polo shirt with a black faux leather jacket.

Things You Should Have Done © BBC

Writer: Lucia Keskin
Starring:
Lucia Keskin, Selin Hizli, Daniel Fearn, Jamie Bisping, Martha Cope, Darren Strange  
Production Company:
Roughcut Television, BBC3
Kent Locations Used:
Ramsgate, Margate, Bugsy’s Ten Pin Bowling Centre, Nayland Rock Hotel, Broadstairs

Things You Should Have Done (2024) follows Chi, a self-titled stay-at-home daughter, who finds her laidback lifestyle thrown into turmoil when both of her parents die and  she discovers she will only inherit their house once she completes a list of things she should have done.

Written by and starring Margate-born Lucia Keskin (Big Boys, Sneakerhead), the series also features Selin Hizli (Am I Being Unreasonable?, Grantchester (2014)) as Aunt Karen, Daniel Fearn (Man vs. Bee, Peaky Blinders) as Dan, Jamie Bisping (Dreamland (2023)) as Lucas, Martha Cope (Alfie, Mile High) as Chi’s deceased Mum and Darren Strange (Ted Lasso, Parents) as Chi’s deceased Dad.

The series was filmed entirely across East Kent. In Ramsgate, locations featured include several private houses which double for Chi’s and Karen’s houses, Newlands Primary School, Lovetts of Ramsgate, GO Associate Solicitors, Thanet Bedz and Ramsgate Main Sands. In Margate, filming took place in the Costcutter on Canterbury Road, the Lido car park, Baxter’s Pharmacy, Bradgate Holiday Park, the Nayland Rock Hotel and Bugsy’s Ten Pin Bowling Centre. The Denture Clinic in Broadstairs also features in the series, doubling for a doctor’s office.

Ramsgate is a thriving seaside town with beautiful Victorian and Regency terraces , a Marina, Port and promenade. Often doubling for period London, the town is a popular filming location, having recently featured in Liaison (2023), The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022) and True Things (2022).

Margate is a seaside town complete with sandy beach, harbour, Dreamland retro amusement park, period housing and ultra-modern art gallery Turner Contemporary. Other productions that have filmed in Margate include Dreamland (2023), Empire of Light (2023) and Two Weeks to Live (2020).

Built in 1885, the Nayland Rock Hotel is situated on Margate beach, with stunning panoramic views of the English Channel and only a walking distance away from Margate’s top attractions. King of Thieves (2018), Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022) and Killing Eve (2018-2022) all feature the Hotel.

Located on the seafront between Margate and Cliftonville, Bugsy’s Ten Pin Bowling Centre offers  12-lanes as well as a diner, bar area and amusement arcade. It is also the only ten-pin bowling shop in Thanet.

Home to Charles Dickens’ Bleak House, Broadstairs is a seaside town with a sandy beach lined with beach huts, a band stand and large Victorian terraces. Eastenders (2007-2022), The Larkins (2021-2022) and Breeders Series 2 (2021) filmed in Broadstairs.

Things You Should Have Done (2024) will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from Thursday 29th February 2024.

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


Empire of Light (2023)

Micheal Ward and Olivia Colman stand on the roof of a building, looking out to sea. The night sky in front of them is lit up by fireworks and an illuminated town is visible in the distance.

Micheal Ward and Olivia Colman in Empire of Light (2023) © 20th Century Studios

Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones
Production Company:
Neal Street Productions, Searchlight Pictures
Kent Locations Used:
Margate, Dreamland, Arlington House, Broadstairs, Cobtree Manor Park, Manston Airport, The East Kent Railway

Empire of Light (2023) is a dramatic love story centred around a beautiful old cinema on the South Coast of England in the early 1980s.

Written and directed by Academy Award-winning Sam Mendes (1917, Skyfall) and photographed by the legendary Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049, No Country for Old Men), Empire of Light stars Olivia Colman (The Favourite (2019), The Crown (2016-2023)) as Hilary and Micheal Ward (Top Boy (2019-2022), Blue Story) as Stephen, with Colin Firth (Operation Mincemeat (2022), The Mercy (2018)) and Toby Jones (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022), Christopher Robin (2018)) in supporting roles.

After seeing the art-deco Dreamland cinema, director Sam Mendes chose Margate as the film’s lead location, the Empire Cinema. A sound stage was erected next door to provide additional cinema interiors facing the beach. The amusement park and roller disco also make an appearance.

Filming took place across Margate from March to May of 2022. Margate Seafront, including the main sands, tidal pool, Nayland Rock Shelter, Marine Terrace and the promenade feature heavily throughout the film as the backdrop for the Empire Cinema.

The area around Fort Paragon, the old Lido, Ethelbert Terrace and Cliff Terrace appear as the streets around Hilary’s flat.

In the town centre, the old Mayor’s Parlour doubles as the interior of a doctor’s office, Arlington House as Stephen’s home and various shops and cafes feature, including Café Darcy as an old chemist, Sands Café, Marina Café and Wildes as themselves.

Image of a vintage cinema with a red velvet curtain covering the screen. On the left and right side of the screen are two red doors. Over the top of each door is a white marble statue of a woman.

Dreamland Cinema in Empire of Light © Searchlight Pictures

Margate Railway Station booking hall also features as itself and the vintage train carriage featured in the film’s closing was filmed on The East Kent Railway.

In Broadstairs, Lillyputt Mini Golf, the promenade and bandstand feature on a day out, and Cobtree Manor Park in Maidstone appears at the very end of the film.

In addition to these locations, additional sets, including Hilary’s and Stephen’s flat interiors and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital were built up in the old aircraft hangers at the former Manston Airport site.

Have a look at what the cast and crew thought of their stay in Margate…

There is also an Empire of Light Film Map you can download at bottom of the webpage.

Margate is a seaside town complete with sandy beach, harbour, amusement park, period housing and ultra-modern art gallery Turner Contemporary. It is one of the most popular filming locations in Kent, having recently featured in True Things (2022), Above the Clouds (2020) and King of Thieves (2018).

Considered to be the oldest surviving amusement park in Great Britain, Dreamland dates back to the early 1870s and was revamped in 2017. The Park has a Retro Roller Room, vintage arcades, a fully restored Grade II listed Art Deco Ballroom and beautiful rides dating from 1920 to the present day. Dreamland is an increasingly popular filming destination, having recently featured in the final series of Killing Eve (2018-2022), Series 2 of Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022) and Two Weeks to Live (2020).

View of Dreamland cinema taken from the beach. An imposing art-deco style building with the word ‘Empire’ written across it in yellow text. Behind it stands a grey brutalist apartment building.

Dreamland as the Empire Cinema © Searchlight Pictures

Arlington House is an 18-storey residential apartment block opposite Margate seafront. It was designed by architects Russell Diplock Associates in 1963 and is a great example of British Brutalist architecture. True Love (2012), Exodus (2007) and Last Resort (2000) feature Arlington House.

Laid out in 1892, the Victoria Gardens include charming features such as a rustic arbour and pergola. The Bandstand is a prominent feature within the gardens, as are the Clock Tower and an Anglo-Indian style shelter. Situated in the traditional seaside town of Broadstairs, the Gardens have also played host to Hurricane (2018).

Now closed to the public, Manston Airport is currently empty and awaiting redevelopment. It boasts a long runway, hangar, large modern warehouse as well as a disused tower and office space. The James Bond film Die Another Day (2002) features scenes shot at Manston Airport.

Cobtree Manor Park stands on the site of the old Maidstone Zoo (still with some buildings intact including Elephant House) and is part of the Cobtree Manor Estate. The park includes over 50 acres of parkland, a play area, café, bridleways for horse riding and a sculpture trail.

The East Kent Railway has a 2.5-mile railway line offering extensive views of the countryside, a 500-yard tunnel, level crossings, sidings and two country stations at Shepherdswell and Eythorne. They offer a variety of train interiors, from 1930s wood panelling, a 1960-1990 railway coach, to the present modern day intercity style coach, as well as a selection of small diesel locomotives. The East Kent Railway was used for a scene in Southcliffe (2013).

Empire of Light will be releasing in UK cinemas on Monday 9th January 2023.

If you would like to visit Empire of Light’s filming locations and take a trip around vintage Margate attractions, please visit Thanet District Council’s Empire of Light trail page.

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


Eastenders (2007-2023)

An aerial map of London with the River Thames running through it. On the top half of the image, written in white font is the word ‘EastEnders’ with the BBC logo underneath.

Eastenders © BBC

Creator: Julia Smith, Tony Holland
Starring: Phil Daniels, Matt Di Angelo, Kellie Shirley, June Brown, John Bardon, Luisa Bradshaw-White, Linda Henry, Danny Dyer, Tamzin Outhwaite, Harry Reid
Production Company: BBC
Kent Locations Used:
Dungeness, Stansted, The Ringlestone Inn – Harrietsham, St Giles Church – Womshill, Port of Ramsgate, Victoria Gardens – Broadstairs, Morelli’s – Broadstairs, Stone Bay, Port of Dover, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Joss Bay, Margate, Dreamland

Eastenders (1985-2023) is a long-running BBC One soap about the lives of the residents of Albert Square, set in the fictional borough of Walford in East London.

The series was created by Julia Smith (Angels, The District Nurse) and Tony Holland (Eldorado, Snoken) and first aired in 1985. The soap has become a fan favourite and won a number of awards, including 10 BAFTA’s.

Though filmed mainly in a studio, the production team have ventured out to Kent multiple times over the years.

In an hour-long special broadcast in March 2007, production visited Dungeness, where viewers find that Kevin (Phil Daniels (Chicken Run, Quadrophenia)) is still alive following the revelation that he is not the father of Dean (Matt Di Angelo (Hustle, I Dream)) and Carly (Kellie Shirley (In the Long Run (2019), Biff & Chip)). A tragic accident provokes Kevin’s decision to return to Albert Square.

Eastenders behind the scenes - camera crew and actors on a country road with fields and fences behind them.

Behind the scenes at The Ringlestone Inn in 2007 © Kent Film Office

For the 2007 Easter Special, production visited the village of Stansted which appears as Dot’s (June Brown (Misunderstood, Sitting Target)) hometown. The Ringlestone Inn in Harrietsham features as the place where Dot and Jim (John Bardon (East Is East, Clockwise)) stay during their trip down memory lane to Dot’s old home. Also featured is St Giles Church in Wormshill, where Dot used to go to Sunday school, and where she discovers abandoned baby Tomas and decides to take him home with her.

In 2015, production visited Broadstairs and Ramsgate in an episode where Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White (This Life, Holby City)), Shirley (Linda Henry (Beautiful Thing, Bad Girls)) and Mick (Danny Dyer (The Football Factory, Severance)) go on the hunt for their father Stan’s (Timothy West (The Day of the Jackal, EverAfter)) stolen ashes. Locations featured include the Port of Ramsgate, Victoria Gardens in Broadstairs, Morelli’s in Broadstairs, and Stone Bay where the Carter family scatter Stan’s ashes.

Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) walking bare foot in the sand. Camera crew behind him by the beach huts.

Behind the scenes in Ramsgate. Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) © BBC/Kieron McCarron

In 2018, Eastenders came back to Kent for the episode featuring the return of much-loved character Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite (Bull (2021), Cassandra’s Dream), who had departed from the show nearly 16 years prior. The Port of Dover features as itself in the episode, as do DFDS Ferries, who provided the ferry for the scene where Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid), pursued by Mel, escapes to France with a bag of stolen cash.

In 2022, production visited Kent twice. The Historic Dockyard Chatham features in the episode aired on Monday 5th September, doubling as 1979 London for flashback scenes of the Mitchell brothers. Areas filmed include Anchor Wharf, The Ropewalk and The Tarred Yarn Store.

Later in 2022, production returned to Kent for their 2022 Christmas Day Special and Boxing Day Special to film a dramatic car crash scene at Joss Bay involving Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Janine (Charlie Brooks). Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) manages to rescue them from the ocean, but he never returns.

Most recently, in 2023, the Eastenders crew visited Margate to film a final day out for terminally ill Lola (Danielle Harold) and her husband Jay (Jamie Borthwick). The couple visit Walpole Bay, Dreamland, Henry’s Gifts, Margate King’s Steps, Sands Café and the Lido before Jay is arrested and taken to Margate Police Station – the exterior of which is actually the Margate Museum in Market Place.

Dungeness is a unique expanse of SSSI shingle beach with ramshackle huts, old and ultra-modern residences, two lighthouses and a power station. This privately-owned estate is a popular filming location, having also featured in Doctor Who: The Claws of Axos (1971), Back to Life (2019-2021) and Brave New World (2020).

Stansted is a rural village in the Tonbridge and Malling district of Kent with schools, pubs, village halls and a recreation ground. The village has excellent transport links as it is near the M20.

The Ringlestone Inn in Harrietsham is a 16th century pub steeped in history, with beamed ceilings and a large garden. Harrietsham is a rural village situated six miles east of Maidstone, which has a number of historic buildings including The Old House and The Saxon Church of St John the Baptist. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) also filmed in Harrietsham.

St Giles Church is the sole church in the tiny village of Wormshill, in the Maidstone district. The Church appears to have been built by the Normans, and features in the Domesday Book (1086AD). Wormshill lies near the top of the North Downs, within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and contains a number of heritage-listed buildings.

The Port of Ramsgate offers 32 acres of dedicated Port land including 3 modern Ro-Ro bridges and Water and bunker facilities on all berths. The Port is a popular filming location, often doubling as the Port of Dover. Other productions to have filmed here include Not Going Out (2013), The Tunnel (2013) and Whitstable Pearl (2021).

Laid out in 1892, the Victoria Gardens in Broadstairs include charming features such as a rustic arbour and pergola. The Bandstand is a prominent feature within the gardens, as are the Clock Tower and an Anglo-Indian style shelter. Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys’ Outing (1989), The Larkins (2021-2022) and True Things (2022) also feature Broadstairs.

The first Morelli’s ice cream parlour was opened in Broadstairs in 1932. Refurbished in the 1950’s, this parlour retains a magical, vintage feel with its soda fountain, juke box and pink leatherette booths. Other productions to have filmed here include Hancock and Joan (2008), Edge of Heaven (2014) and The Lady in the Van (2015).

Stone Bay is a 200-meter-long sandy bay, with chalk cliffs, rock pools, promenade and beach huts. This quiet bay is seldom discovered by visitors. Hurricane (2018) also filmed there.

As the busiest passenger port in Europe, The Port of Dover is a very sought-after filming location. Other productions to have filmed at the ferry terminal include Disney’s Christopher Robin (2018) and the Series 7 Christmas special of Trollied (2018).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a 17th Century dockyard spanning over 80 acres, containing over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. It is Kent’s most popular filming location, having recently played host to A Spy Among Friends (2022), Enola Holmes 2 (2022) and Living (2022).

Joss Bay is a Blue Flag sandy bay, 200 meters long. Facilities include lifeguards, café, deckhairs, parasols and sun beds, and a Kiddies Corner with bouncy castles and trampolines. The Flood (2019), Sulphur and White (2020) and Dracula (2020) all feature scenes shot on Joss Bay.

Margate is a seaside town complete with sandy beach, harbour, amusement park, period housing and ultra-modern art gallery Turner Contemporary. It is a very popular filming location and was recently the setting for the Sky series Dreamland (2023) and Empire of Light (2023).

Considered to be the oldest-surviving amusement park in Great Britain, Dreamland dates back to the early 1860s and was revamped in 2017. The park has a Roller Room, vintage arcades, a fully restored Grade II listed Art Deco ballroom and beautiful rides dating from 1920 to the present day. The park has recently featured in Series 4 of Killing Eve (2018-2022), Series 2 of Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022) and Two Weeks to Live (2020).

Eastenders has been broadcast weekly on BBC One since 1985. Old episodes are available to stream via BBC iPlayer and UKTV Play.

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


The Larkins (2021-2022)

Pop and Ma Larkin posing for a photo in front of a flowering hawthorne hedge. Bradley Walsh as Pop Larkin sits in a brown leather chair and wears a brown waistcoat and light blue shirt. Joanna Scanlan as Ma Larkin stands behind him, wearing a blue shirt and patterned apron.

Pop Larkin (Bradley Walsh) and Ma Larkin (Joanna Scanlan) in Series 2 of The Larkins © ITV Plc / Objective Fiction / Genial Productions

Writer / Creator: Simon Nye
Starring: Bradley Walsh, Joanna Scanlan, Sabrina Bartlett (Series 1), Joelle Rae (Series 2) Tok Stephen, Peter Davidson
Production Company: Objective Fiction, Genial Productions
Kent Locations Used: Viking Bay and Victoria Gardens – Broadstairs, Eynsford, Faversham, Stonepitts PYO Farm, Sundridge, Squerryes Court, Walpole Bay Hotel & Museum, Underriver, Chiddingstone, various undisclosed villages and farms in North Kent, Tonbridge Castle, Leigh, Sackville School, Canterbury prison

ITV’s The Larkins (2021-2022) returns for Series 2. The show is an adaptation of the five beloved HE Bates’ novels about the Larkins which began with  The Darling Buds of May. The comedy drama series was written and created by Simon Nye (The Durrells, Finding Alice) and stars Bradley Walsh (Law & Order: UK, Coronation Street) as Pop Larkin, Joanna Scanlan (After Love (2021), Getting On) as Ma Larkin, Peter Davison (Call the Midwife (2012-2023), Doctor Who) as The Vicar, Sabrina Bartlett (Bridgerton (2020), Victoria) as Mariette Larkin (Series 1), Joelle Rae (Get Even) as Mariette Larkins (Series 2), and Tok Stephen as Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton (Silent Witness, Grantchester).

Bradley Walsh takes on a role originally played by David Jason (Still Open All Hours, Only Fools and Horses) in The Darling Buds of May (1991 – 1993), a story about the lives of the working class May family in rural Kent in the 1950’s.

Series 2 sees a new family settle in the picturesque village, and they soon find themselves at war with the Larkins. Also joining the new townspeople is Reverend Candy (Maxim Ays (Sanditon, Still So Awkward)), whose handsome face immediately sets Primrose’s heart aflutter.

The Larkins family posing for a photo by a lake with trees in the background. The actors are wearing brightly coloured 1950s clothing. To the left children sit on a picnic blanket with a hamper. The adults stand to the right leaning on a wooden bench.

The Larkins © ITV Plc / Objective Fiction / Genial Productions
Pictured: Montgomery Larkin (Liam Middleton), Petunia Larkin (Rosie Coleman), Victoria Larkin (Lola Shepelev), Zinnia Larkin (Davina Coleman), Mariette (Sabrina Bartlett), Primrose Larkin (Lydia Page), Charley (Tok Stephen), Pop Larkin (Bradley Walsh) and Ma Larkin (Joanna Scanlan)

During filming of Series 1 and 2, as well as the 2021 Christmas Special, production filmed on various farms and villages in North Kent for the setting of the family farm and village.

Series 1

In Episode 3, Victoria Gardens and Viking Bay in Broadstairs feature when Ma and Pop Larkin go on a holiday to Margate. Faversham town and the Guild Hall feature in the same episode as Margate town and the Registry Office, where Ma and Pop rescue a runaway bride. The Walpole Bay Hotel & Museum in Margate also features in Episode 3 as the Margate Grand Hotel where Ma and Pop stay.

Eynsford village features in various episodes throughout this series. Eynsford Riverside appears in Episodes 1 and 2 as the Littlechurch river, Eynsford Village Hall appears in Episode 5 as the Littlechurch village hall where the locals vote on Tom’s plans for the village, and The Castle Hotel appears in Episode 2 during the pram race. The Five Bells Pub in Eynsford also appears in Episodes 2, 3 and 6 as the local village pub.

The Larkins enjoy strawberry picking in Episodes 4 and 5, and these scenes were filmed at Stonepitts Farm near Sevenoaks. Filming also took place at Long Barn in Sundridge, which became Seth’s Cottage in Episode 6, and Squerryes Court in Westerham became Bluff Court in Episodes 2 and 6, and the interior of Reg’s guesthouse in Episode 2.

The 2021 Christmas Special saw the return of various locations from the previous series, and featured some new sites including the Underriver Village Hall where the locals rehearse their festive pantomime, a private residence in Underriver which featured as the Norman’s home, and a private cottage in Chiddingstone which featured as the Nunn’s cottage

Series 2

As well as the welcome return of Squerryes Court as Bluff Court and Underriver village hall, Series 2  features some new Kent locations, including several in Tonbridge.

Sackville School features as Fordington Prison’s visiting area, and Tonbridge Castle and the river behind it also appear, doubling as the exterior of the Mid Kent Times Office. A private estate in Leigh in Sevenoaks appears in the series as the interior of the Chand’s bungalow, the interior of the Mid Kent Times Office and the exterior of Lady Violet’s (Prue Clarke) cottage. Canterbury Prison also features in Series 2 as Fordington Prison.

Broadstairs in East Kent is a picturesque coastal town with several beautiful beaches, restaurants, bars and walking trails which provide visitors with a real Kentish seaside town experience. Victoria Gardens has stunning clifftop views of Viking Bay and Louisa Bay. Broadstairs and Viking Bay has welcomed productions including Breeders Series 2 (2021), Devils (2021) and Hurricane (2018).

Faversham is a beautiful historic market town in the Swale Borough of Kent. The historic town boasts over 500 listed buildings. Previous productions in the town include Bollywood film Jagame Thandhiram (2021), Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022) and Hetty Feather Series 1 – 6 (2015 – 2020).

The Walpole Bay Hotel & Museum in Margate was built for discerning guests in 1914 and extended in 1927. The hotel has five floors and 42 bedrooms and a museum space. The décor and layout is versatile to suit many eras and the hotel provides cast and crew accommodation and on road parking in a quiet cul-de-sac. Margate is a traditional seaside town complete with sandy beach, harbour, amusement park, period housing and modern art gallery Turner Contemporary. Recent productions to film in Margate are Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022), Two Weeks to Live (2020) and Pandemonium (2020).

Located on the River Darent, Eynsford has some distinctive features including its viaduct, ford and ancient ruins and is part of the Sevenoaks district. Stonepitts Farm sits at the foot of the North Downs in Seal, near Sevenoaks, with magnificent views over the beautiful Vale of Holmesdale that has been a local landmark for hundreds of years.

Squerryes Court in Westerham is a beautiful 17th century manor house which has been the Warde family home since 1731. It is surrounded by 20 acres of attractive and historic gardens which include a lake, restored parterres and an 18th century dovecote. Westerham is a very busy village on a through road near Sevenoaks. Recent productions to film in the Sevenoaks district include The Cleaner (2021), The First Team (2020) and Great British Railway Journeys Series 11 (2020).

Chiddingstone is one of the oldest and most picturesque villages in Kent. It’s described as the most accurate example of a surviving Tudor village in the county, complete with half-timbered frames, gables and stone hung red-tiled roofs. Previous productions to have filmed in Chiddingstone include A Room with a View (1986) and The Wind in the Willows (1996).

Tonbridge is a riverside town with picturesque castle, churches and historic buildings. Tonbridge Castle was built at the time of the Norman conquest and in 1741, stone from the towers, walls and keep were used in the building of the Medway canal. Other productions to have filmed in Tonbridge include PRU (2022), Making Noise Quietly (2019) and Missing (2009-2010).

Now owned by Canterbury Christ Church University, the former Canterbury prison has wings with closed cells dating back to 1808. It is a popular filming location, with previous productions such as Deceit (2021), Small Axe (2020) and Break (2020) having filmed there.

The Larkins Series 1 began airing on ITV on Sunday 10th October. All episodes are available to stream on ITV Hub as well as the Christmas Special which first aired on ITV on Saturday 25th December 2021 at 9pm.

Series 2 of The Larkins began airing on ITV on Sunday 16th October 2022.

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


True Things (2022)

Ruth Wilson as Kate leans against a grey concrete wall. She has long brown hair and is wearing a brown jacket with a fur collar. Tom Burke as Blond is leaning over her with his hands on the wall either side. He has dyed blond hair and a dark stubbly beard. He wears a worn black leather jacket.

True Things (2022) © BBC Films.

Writer: Harry Wootliff, Molly Davies,
Director: Harry Wootliff
Starring: Ruth Wilson, Tom Burke
Production Company: BBC Films, The Bureau
Kent Locations Used: Ramsgate, Margate Broadstairs, Kingsgate Bay

True Things (2022) follows Kate, a young woman living on the edge of society as she becomes intoxicated with a stranger who overturns her quiet lifestyle.

Based on the book of the same name by Deborah Kay Davies, True Things was adapted for the screen by Molly Davies and Harry Wootliff (Only You, Totally Frank) and stars Ruth Wilson (Luther, Saving Mr. Banks) as Kate, and Tom Burke (Only God Forgives, The Souvenir) as Blond, the man she falls in love with.

Production based themselves in Kent for the majority of their location filming.

The film is set in the seaside town of Ramsgate, and various locations in the town feature throughout. Roads, such as Military Road and the Ramsgate Harbour Approach Tunnel, feature in driving sequences. Notable landmarks such as the Ramsgate lifts, Royal Harbour and the Jacobs Ladder steps appear in short establishing shots. The exterior and lobby of the Ramsgate The Argyle Job Centre on York Street doubles as the job centre where Kate works. The Royal Harbour Parade car park features as the location in which Blond and Kate have their first tryst, and appears later on in a night-time scene.

Ramsgate is a thriving seaside town with beautiful Victorian terraced housing, a Marina, Port and Promenade. The location often doubles for period London streets and has been used in the productions such as The Flood (2019) and Hard Sun (2018).

The interior and exterior of Kate’s flat was filmed at a private residence in Margate. Nasza Biedronk convenience store on Northdown Road also features as the supermarket in which Kate buys breakfast ingredients for Blond. Margate is a seaside town complete with sandy beach, harbour, amusement park, period housing and the ultra-modern art gallery Turner Contemporary. Margate has previously featured in Above the Clouds (2020) and Jellyfish (2018).

Harpers Bar in Broadstairs features as the pub that Kate visits with Blond, and later with her friend Alison (Hayley Squires). The terrace of The Royal Albion Hotel appears in the scene where Blond and Kate have a romantic lunch date. The old Canterbury Christ Church University campus in Broadstairs was used to film the interior of the job centre that Kate works at. Broadstairs is a traditional seaside town and home to Charles Dickens’ Bleak House. It features a sandy beach lined with traditional beach huts, Morelli’s cafe bar complete with original 1950’s interior, band stand and large Victorian terraces. Previous productions to film here include Dracula (2020) and Juliet, Naked (2018).

Kingsgate Bay is used for a dream sequence in the film’s opening. Kingsgate Bay is a small sandy bay surrounded by chalk cliffs that connects at low tide through Whiteness cliff arch to Botany Bay. It features a Victorian castle on top of the sea defences which were turned into private residences. Sulphur and White (2020) and Bhikari (2017) have previously filmed here.

True Things was released in UK cinemas on Friday 1st April 2022.

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


Jhimma (2021)

Seven women and one man lie in a circle on a patch of AstroTurf. Three of the women wear traditional Indian dress, whilst the other four women and the man wear modern Western clothing. They are all smiling at the camera.

Jhimma (2022) © AVK Entertainment

Director: Hemant Dhome
Starring: Sonalee Kulkarni, Suhas Joshi, Kshitee Jog, Nirmiti Sawant, Sayali Sanjeev, Mrinmayee Godbole, Suchitra Bandekar
Production Company: AVK Entertainment
Kent Locations Used: Botany Bay

Jhimma (2021) follows the stories of seven women from different age groups and socio-economic backgrounds, who take a life-changing trip to Great Britain. As the journey unfolds, the women are granted the opportunity to heal old wounds, face their demons, discover themselves, and fall in love.

Directed by Hemant Dhome (Baghtos Kay Mujra Kar, Ye Re Ye Paisa 2), Jhimma (2021) stars Sonalee Kulkarni (Classmates, Mitwaa) as Maithili, Suhas Joshi (Josh, Aazmayish) as Indumati, Kshitee Jog (Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai) as Meeta, Nirmiti Sawant (Bindhaast, Chal Dhar Pakad) as Nirmala, Sayali Sanjeev (Kahe Diya Pardes, Mann Fakiraa) as Kruttika, Mrinmayee Godbole (Padman, Crd) as Rama, and Suchitra Bandekar (Singham, Simmba) as Vaishali.

Production visited Botany Bay in Broadstairs to film a musical montage for the final song of the film and a beach scene where Vaishali (Suchitra Bandekar) and Maithili (Sonalee Kulkarni) enjoy a mother/daughter bonding and Indumati (Suhas Joshi) throws her diary into the sea. Botany Bay is a very popular filming location due to its sandy beach, rock pools, white cliffs and highly photographed white chalk stacks. Previous productions to have filmed at Botany Bay include Thaandavam (2012), Bhikari (2017), and Series 2 of the Channel 4 sci-fi show Humans (2016).

Jhimma was released in India on Friday 19th November 2021 and is currently available to stream in the UK on Amazon Prime Video.

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


Breeders Series 2 (2021)

Daisy Haggard as Ally and Martin Freeman as Paul lean against railings overlooking a beach with their backs to the camera. Daisy has blonde hair and wears a cream hooded coat and blue jeans. Martin wears a black coat and dark jeans. In the distance is a couple on the beach by the sea

Breeders (2021) Daisy Haggard as Ally & Martin Freeman as Paul ©Sky UK Limited

Writer: Chris Addison, Simon Blackwell, Martin Freeman
Director: Chris Addison, Ben Palmer
Starring: Martin Freeman, Daisy Haggard, Alun Armstrong, Joanna Bacon, Patrick Baladi, Stella Gonet
Production Company: Avalon Television, Sky
Kent Locations Used: Broadstairs

Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard star in 10-part comedy Breeders (2021) as Paul and Ally, a married couple who are navigating the turbulent waters of parenthood.

Directed by Chris Addison (The Thick of It, Skins) and Ben Palmer (The Inbetweeners, Bo’ Selecta!) and starring Martin Freeman (Black Panther, The Hobbit Trilogy, Sherlock), Daisy Haggard (Harry Potter, Black Mirror), Alun Armstrong (Frontier, New Tricks), Joanna Bacon (The Bill, Love Actually), Patrick Baladi (The Office, Stella) and Stella Gonet (The Cry, The House of Eliott).

Various scenes for Series 2 were filmed in Broadstairs and shot on location at The Funicular Coffeehouse, Victoria Parade, Louisa Bay, Harbour Street and Ocean Drive.

Broadstairs in East Kent is a picturesque coastal town with several beautiful beaches, restaurants, bars and walking trails which provide visitors with a real Kentish seaside town experience.

Victoria Parade provides visitors with a leisurely walk alongside Victoria Gardens and has stunning clifftop views of Viking Bay and Louisa Bay which have been featured in other shows, including Edge of Heaven (2014) and Derek (2013).

Once part of the Broadstairs Cliff Railway, The Funicular Coffeehouse overlooks Viking Bay which has welcomed films like Juliet, Naked (2018) and Hurricane (2018).

Breeders returns to Sky One and streaming service NOWTv on Thursday 27th May, with all 10 episodes being made available on demand.

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


Devils (2021)

Patrick Dempsey as Dominic Morgan & Alessandro Borghi as Massimo Ruggero are walking down a stairway outside with skyscrapers in the background.

Patrick Dempsey as Dominic Morgan & Alessandro Borghi as Massimo Ruggero
© Antonello&Montesi

Writer: Elena Buccacio, Mario Ruggeri, Alessandro Sermoneta, Ben Harris, Chris Lunt, Michael A Walker
Director: Nick Hurran, Jan Michelini
Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Alessandro Borghi, Laia Costa
Production Company: Lux Vide, Sky Italia
Kent Locations Used: Kingsgate Bay in Broadstairs

Based on the novel by Guido Maria Brera, Devils (2021) is a brand new TV series set in the London Offices of a large investment bank where Massimo Ruggero (Alessandro Borghi) discovers a worldwide financial conspiracy. Will he side with the perpetrators or expose the fraud?

The writing of the show is shared amongst several writes, including Elena Buccacio (Magie and Bianca Fashion Friends), Mario Ruggeri (Don Matteo), Alessandro Sermoneta (Once Upon a Time The City of Fools), Ben Harris (Dark Heart), Chris Lunt (Prey) and Michael A Walker (Primevil). It is directed by Nick Hurran (Sherlock), and Jan Michelini (Medici). Starring Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy, Bridget Jones’ Baby), Alessandro Borghi (Romulus and Remus: The First King), and Laia Costa (Cities, Only You).

Production visited the Kingsgate Bay in Broadstairs to film a dialogue scene on the clifftops.

Broadstairs is a coastal town on the Isle of Thanet in the East Kent district. Productions that have also visited this area include and The Tunnel (2016) and Humans (2016).

Devils was released on Sky Atlantic and NowTV on Wednesday 17th February 2021.

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


Sulphur and White (2020)

Mark Stanley (David Tait) wearing a brown jacket and Emily Beecham (Vanessa Tait) wearing a blue floral dress, looking at each other with greenery and sky behind them.

Mark Stanley (David Tait) and Emily Beecham (Vanessa Tait) in Sulphur and White (2020)    Copyright: IMDb Photo: Nick Wall

Writer: Susie Farrell
Director: Julian Jarrold
Starring: Mark Stanley, Emily Beecham, Anna Friel, Dougray Scott, Aftab Shivdasani
Production Companies: AMG International, EMU Films
Kent Locations Used: Thanet (Joss Bay, Kingsgate Bay, Botany Bay)

Feature film Sulphur and White (2020) is inspired by the true story of David Tait (Mark Stanley), a city trader and mountaineer, who tries to forget his traumatic childhood as he climbs the corporate ladder in the City Of London. When he meets Vanessa (Emily Beecham), David’s life begins to change.

Sulphur and White is directed by the award winning Julian Jarrold (Kinky Boots, Becoming Jane) and the screenplay was written by Susie Farrell (Dirty God). It stars Mark Stanley (Game of Thrones, Run) as David Tait and Emily Beechman (Daphne, Hail, Caesar!) as Vanessa. Co-stars also include Anna Friel (Marcella, Deep Water), Dougray Scott (EverAfter, Hitman) and Aftab Shivdasani (Mast, Kasoor).

Filming took place in Thanet, a district of Kent containing resort towns Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs with beautiful beaches.

The production visited Joss Bay in Broadstairs, a proclaimed surfer’s paradise, boasting a 200 metre-long stretch of sandy beach. Kingsgate Bay and Botany Bay afford incredible views of white cliffs and highly photographed white chalk stacks.

These coastal locations have attracted various film and TV productions over the years from French coming-of-age film À nous les petites Anglaises (1976), Mr Selfridge Series 4 (2016), Bhikari (2017) to most recently Dracula (2020).

Sulphur and White will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 6th March 2020.

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


Dracula (2020)

CLAES BANG as Dracula wearing a cape and looking into the camera in candle light . An old stone staircase can be seen behind him.

Dracula (CLAES BANG) © BBC/Hartswood Photographer: Robert Viglasky


Writer: Mark Gatis, Steven Moffat, Bram Stoker
Director: Paul McGuigan, Damon Thomas, Jonny Campbell
Starring: Claes Bang, Jonathan Aris, Mark Gatiss, Dolly Wells
Production Company: Hartswood Films, BBC, Netflix
Kent Locations Used: Joss Bay, Broadstairs

From the makers of Sherlock, Dracula (2020) is a brand new drama based on Bram Stoker’s novel, Set in Transylvania in 1897, this time the blood-sucking count will be plotting against Victorian London.

The cast of the 3 feature length episodes is led by Claes Bang starring as Dracula (The Square, The Girl in the Spiders Web), and is supported by Jonathan Aris (Sherlock, The End of the F*cking World), Mark Gatiss (The Favourite, Sherlock) and Dolly Wells (Bridget Jones’s Diary, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies).

Production filmed a sunrise sequence at Joss Bay, Broadstairs which was not used in the final edit.

Joss Bay is a popular sandy beach sheltered by steep chalk cliffs and backing onto the North Foreland Golf Course. Several film productions have visited the location including Coast and Country (2016).

The beach is reputedly named after an eighteenth-century smuggler Joss Snelling. Joss Bay is Kent’s best-known surfing beach and is home to the longest established surf school on this coast. The site offers an ideal set for many film productions.

The Dracula mini-series will air on BBC One on three consecutive days starting at 9pm on Wednesday 1st January 2020. 

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