Black Mirror: Season 6 – Beyond the Sea (2023)

An image of a VCR tape. The plastic cover on the tape is smashed in the shape of a smiley face.

Black Mirror Season 6 © Netflix

Creator: Charlie Brooker
Starring: Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara
Production Company:
Zeppotron, Channel 4 Television, Babieka
Kent Locations Used:
Home Farm, Chilham Mill Estate, Dungeness, Perry Wood

Black Mirror (2011-2023) is a Netflix anthology series set in a dystopian future, with each episode focusing on unique individuals grappling with the effects of technology.

Created by Charlie Brooker (Dead Set, Death to 2020), the series originally aired on Channel 4 before moving over to Netflix for the third season. Episode 3 of the new series, titled Beyond the Sea, stars Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad, Need for Speed) as Cliff Stanfield, Josh Hartnett (Lucky Number Slevin, The Faculty) as David Ross and Kate Mara (Fantastic Four, The Martian) as Lana Stanfield.

Set in an alternative 1969, Beyond the Sea follows two astronauts, Cliff and David, who are deep in outer space on a six year-long mission. Thanks to technology, the two can transfer their consciousness into highly realistic replicas of themselves back on Earth. When a tragedy occurs, their lives onboard and off the ship are thrown into turmoil.

Various locations in Kent feature throughout the episode. Cliff’s family home was shot at Home Farm in Swale, the river where Cliff and his son Henry (Daniel Bell) go fishing was filmed at Chilham Mill Estate, and the woodland where Lana takes David was Perry Wood in Selling. Dungeness also features as the road which Lana travels along to get into town, and where she later sits in her car waiting for Cliff to return from the ship.

Situated in Swale, Home Farm is a colonial style weatherboarded villa, with veranda’s overlooking the countryside. Inside, rooms are decorated in a vintage chic style with reclaimed wood floors and chateau doors. The property is particularly popular for photoshoots but has also featured in The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2017), Juliet, Naked (2018) and The Current War (2019).

Perry Wood is an ancient woodland lying between Selling and Chilham parishes. It is designated as a Local Wildlife Site and offers stunning panoramic views of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Chilham Mill Estate is located in the idyllic village of Chilham, which offers a multitude of features including a stunning private castle, two pubs, a traditional beamed village hall and a Norman built church which is believed to be the final resting place of Thomas Becket. The village has previously been featured in Emma (2009), Chickens (2011), and A Canterbury Tale (1944).

A unique expanse of SSSI shingle beach, the Dungeness Estate also features ramshackle huts, old and ultra-modern residences, two lighthouses, boat moorings, two pubs and artist galleries. It’s one of Kent’s most popular filming locations, having recently featured in Back to Life (2019-2021), Brave New World (2020) and Una (2017).

Season 6 of Black Mirror will be released on Netflix on Thursday 15th June 2023.

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


Top Boy (2019-2022)

Kane Robinson as Sully and Ashley Walters as Dushane stand in front of the River Thames looking off into the distance. Both are wearing dark-coloured baggy hoodies.

Kane Robinson and Ashley Walters in Top Boy Season 1 © Netflix

Writer: Ronan Bennett
Starring: Ashley Walters,Kane Robinson, Micheal Ward, Shone Romulus
Production Company: Cowboy Films, DreamCrew, Easter Partisan, SpringHill Entertainment
Kent Locations Used: Margate, Ramsgate, Gravesend, The Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre in Chatham

Top Boy (2019-2022) is a British drama series revolving around the life of Dushane (Ashley Walters (Figures of SpeechBulletproof)), the leader of an underground drug operation, his friend Sully (Kane Robinson (Tower BlockPoint Blank)), troubled teen Jamie (Michael Ward (The A List, Small Axe (2020)) and their aim to become the richest men in town.

Axed by Channel 4 in 2013 after two series, the show soon found a new home on Netflix and the new Series  was produced by rapper Drake, a long-time fan of the show.

Season One follows the story of Dushane as he travels to Jamaica where he makes a deal with Sugar (Gilbert Chen), an imprisoned drug lord. When Dushane returns to the UK, he connects with some of his crew selling drugs in Ramsgate and tries to regain control. Back on Summerhouse estate, Dushane once again rises to Top Boy status despite resistance from the new crew in London Fields that is headed by teenager Jamie. Season Two continues to explore the rival dynamics between the two gangs.

Season One was written by Ronan Bennett (GunpowderHidden) and Daniel West (Gunpowder) and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard, Monsters and Men), Brady Hood (Endeavour, The One) and Aneil Karia (Lovesick, Pure), with Episode 4 directed by the critically-acclaimed Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels).

Season Two sees the return of Ronan Bennett as writer, and introduces new cast members including Josephine De La Baume (Road Games (2016), Mr Selfridge (2013-2016)) as Delphine, Sully’s new love interest, Howard Charles (Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022), Liar (2017-2020) as Curtis, Lauryn’s abusive boyfriend, Erin Kellyman (The Green Knight, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) as Pebbles, and rap and grime artist NoLay who returns to her role as Sully’s ex-girlfriend Mandy.

In Season One, filming took place in Margate at Walpole Bay and Fulsam Rock Beach and nearby streets including Athelstan Road. Production also visited Ramsgate, where they filmed at Jacob’s Ladder, outside the Rose of England pub on the High Street and Ramsgate Train Station. In addition, Gordon Place in Gravesend played the role of the fictional ‘Summerhouse Estate’ in London.

In Season Two Episode 5, The Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre in Chatham features in a scene where Lauryn (Saffron Hocking) flees from her abusive boyfriend in a Liverpool shopping mall. Chatham is a historic town situated in Medway, North Kent, and is known for its historic dockyard, army barracks and high street. A recent production to film in Chatham is Great British Railway Journeys Series 11 (2020).

Margate, in the district of Thanet, is a popular film location and has been used as in various productions such as in feature films King of Thieves (2018) and King Lear (2018). Ramsgate is also a popular location in Thanet and has featured in several productions such as Baptise (2019)Hurricane (2018) and The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016).

Gravesend is on the southern bank of the River Thames and boasts a cast iron pier, promenade and high street as well as international rail links at the nearby Ebbsfleet International station. The Gravesend area has previously welcomed film productions such as Killing Eve (2018-2022), The Escape (2018), and Doctor Strange (2016).

Top Boy Season Two was made available to stream on Netflix on Friday 18th March 2022.

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


Deceit (2021)

Alt Text – An image showing five characters from the TV series in red and blue tones. Pictured left are two men wearing suits Pedder (Harry Treadaway) and Britton (Eddie Marsan). Centre frame is Sadie / Lizzie (Niamh Algar), she has blonde hair and heavy make-up and the image is overlapped with two expressions; one looking down and one looking to the camera. To the right of the frame are Baz (Nathaniel Martello-White) and Lucy (Rochenda Sandall) wearing leather jackets.

Deceit (2021) © Channel 4 – Pedder (Harry Treadaway), Britton (Eddie Marsan), Sadie / Lizzie (Niamh Algar), Baz (Nathaniel Martello-White) & Lucy (Rochenda Sandall)

Writer: Emilio di Giralmo
Director: Niall MacCormick
Starring: Niamh Algar; Karl Farrer, Paul O’Kelly
Production Company: Story Films
Kent Locations Used: Canterbury Prison, Shellness Beach and Huts

Deceit (2021) is a powerful new TV drama based on the real-life events surrounding the investigation into the murder of Rachel Nickell on Wimbledon Common in 1992, in which Lizzie James, an undercover police officer, is tasked with baiting a suspected serial killer.

Directed by Niall MacCormick (The Durrells, Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley) Deceit stars Niamh Algar (Raised by Wolves, The Virtues) as Lizzie James, Karl Farrer (Flesh and Blood (2020), Angel Has Fallen) as a Police Officer and Paul O’Kelly (The Witcher (2023), Gangs of London (2020-2022)) as P.C O’Kelly.

The production visited Canterbury Prison and Shellness Beach during filming of the four-part miniseries for Channel 4. Shellness Beach has an area of mixed sand and shingle beach adjoining Shellness on the Isle of Sheppey. The beach is bordered by private chalets, some of which are available for filming. Both Dark Heart Series 1 (2018) and The Third Day (2020) have previously filmed here.

Canterbury Prison was sold to Canterbury Christ Church University in 2014 and is now part of the university campus. Most recently BBC TV dramas Small Axe (2020) and The Capture (2019) filmed at the prison.

Deceit will air on Channel 4 from Friday 13th August at 9pm. All episodes will be available to stream on All 4.

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


This Way Up Series 2 (2021)

The image is an overhead view of Aisling Bea as Aine lying on an unmade bed. She is wearing a stripey purple, grey and yellow top, grey hairband and red and black pyjama bottoms. She is holding a phone and on the bed is a messy pile of paperwork, a laptop and other small items.

This Way Up Series 2 , Episode 1, Aine (Aisling Bea) © Channel 4 | Rekha Garton

Writer: Aisling Bea
Director: Alex Winckler
Starring: Aisling Bea, Sharon Horgan, Tobias Menzies
Production Company: Merman
Kent Locations Used: Tunbridge Wells

This Way Up (2021) is a TV comedy that follows Aine (Aisling Bea (Quiz, Living with Yourself)), as she recovers from a teeny little nervous breakdown. Sisters Aine and Shona (Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe, Women on the Verge)) share an unshakeable bond and Aisling Bea, who is the show’s creator, describes their relationship as “passionate, caring, often-angry, always-hilarious. In the darkest moments, when faced with overwhelming loneliness and sadness, the two sisters will always save each other and bring each other back into the light.” Series 2 follows Aine as she is starting to leave her time in rehab behind and live less cautiously, which may not be entirely wise.

Created by Aisling Bea, Series 2 was directed by Alex Winckler (My Mad Fat Diary, Traitors) and stars Aisling Bea as lead character Aine, with Sharon Horgan playing her older sister. Aine’s love interest, Richard, is played by Tobias Menzies (The Crown (2016-2022), The Terror).

During filming, production visited Tunbridge Wells where they filmed in a private house in Speldhurst for several days as the location of Shona’s house.

Tunbridge Wells is in West Kent and is officially known as Royal Tunbridge Wells due to King Edward VII commemorating the town owing to his mother Queen Victoria’s love for the area. It is home to a host of historic buildings, specialist shops and a busy town centre. Previous productions to have filmed there include Rupert, Rupert and Rupert (2019) and Catastrophe (2018).

Series 2 of This Way Up will air on Channel 4 from Wednesday 14th July 2021.

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


Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes – Series 3 (2020)

Phil Spencer wearing a purple jumper standing on the grass in front of the entrance to Leeds Castle.

Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes Series 3 Episode 4 Leeds Castle © Thomas Alexander / Channel 4

Starring: Phil Spencer, Liz Smith
Production Company: Mayfly Television
Kent Locations Used: Leeds Castle, Maidstone

Phil Spencer (Kirstie & Phil’s Love It or List ItRelocation, Relocation) returns for a grand tour of some of the country’s finest country houses to uncover the stories behind their creation in Series 3 of Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes (2016-2020) for Channel 4.

Phil, accompanied by Conservation Architect Liz Smith ,is given unprecedented access into fascinating stately home archives to reveal the incredible ambition of the house’s creators, as well as the huge quantities of materials, labour and money involved in turning their flights of fancy into bricks and mortar.

With a chance to try his hand at craft and restoration, and insight from the current custodians, Phil discovers how these homes became symbols of power – and play – and what the buildings and estates are really like to own.

The series is produced by Mayfly Television and written by Harry Williams and Jack Williams. The executive producer is Marcus Stephenson with Clemency Green Commissioning Editor for Features.

During filming in 2019 the production visited Leeds Castle in Kent in the year the castle celebrated its 900th anniversary. Filming took place inside the Castle when Phil interviewed staff members including Leeds Castle Curator Annie Kemkaran-Smith as well as a descendant of the last private owner Lady Baillie.  During the episode Phil went punting on the moat and visited the clock tower to raise Lady Baillie’s flag.

Set in the outskirts of the county town of Kent, Maidstone is the beautiful Leeds Castle which is set over 500 acres and boasts stunning period rooms, gardens, a moat, woodlands, maze with shell grotto and a falconry centre. Leeds Castle has previously been used as a film location by factual TV programmes Celebrity Antiques Road Show – Series 8 (2018)Secrets of Great British Castles (2016) and Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies (2016).

Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes – Leeds Castle is due to air on More4 on Thursday 12th March 2020 at 9pm.

Exterior shot of Leeds Castle in the distance, taken from the ground behind some trees.

Phil Spencer Stately Homes S3 Ep4 Leeds Castle GV © Channel 4

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


The Great Pottery Throw Down – Series 3 (2020)

Keith Brymer Jones sits on a stool with Sue Pryke and Melanie Sykes stood besides him smiling at the camera. Wooden wall with varied containers is in the background.

The Great Pottery Throw Down with Sue Pryke, Keith Brymer Jones and Melanie Sykes (Channel 4/PA)

Starring: Melanie Sykes,  Keith Brymer Jones, Sue Pryke
Production Company: Channel 4
Kent Locations Used: Dover

The Great Pottery Throw Down (2015-), now in its third series, is produced by the company behind The Great British Bake Off. The TV show sees home potters strive to create their most intricate and imaginative works as they compete to be crowned best at the wheel.

The programme has moved to Channel 4 with new host Melanie Sykes fronting the series. Master potter Keith Brymer Jones returns to judge alongside award-winning ceramicist Sue Pryke.

Master potter Keith Brymer Jones, a born and bred Londoner and a potter by trade, started his career in a studio in Whitstable, Kent, which is housed inside an old bakery. Here he throws shapes on his pottery wheel for various designers, a leading retailer and clients such as the National Trust.

One of the 12 contestants is Rainna Erbas who grew up in Bow, east London, but moved to Kent when she was 14, where she began her love affair with potting. She uses her whole house as a studio, including the kitchen and conservatory, but she can mainly be found throwing in a converted garden shed.

Kent contestant Rainna Erbas smiling at the camera sitting at a potting wheel in an apron with a red background behind her.

Kent contestant Rainna Erbas (Channel 4/PA)

During filming production visited the woods behind Coxhill Gardens in Dover to go bird watching with Rainna.

Dover is the site of the famous The White Cliffs of Dover and has been used in previous productions such as Britain’s Most Historic Towns – Series 2 (2019) and Flog It! Series 17 (2019).

Whitstable is a bohemian seaside town which was famous for its oysters and is now famous for the harbour where sunbathing, swimming and water sports are popular including jet skiing. Furthermore, it has one of the oldest yacht clubs. Previous filming here includes Flirty Dancing – Series 2 (2019)and Who Do You Think You Are? (2018).

 

 

Episode One airs on Wednesday 8th January at 9pm on More4 and Sunday 12th January at 6.45pm on Channel 4.

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


Britain at Low Tide – Series 3 (2019)

Dr Tori Herridge and his team of three smiling at the camera standing on the beach with the sea in the background.

Dr Tori Herridge and the team at Tankerton ©Channel 4

Director: Michael Waterhouse
Starring: Dr Tori Herridge, Dr Alex Langlands
Production Company: Tern Television Productions Ltd
Kent Locations Used: Tankerton, Whitstable, Port of Ramsgate, Port

The third series of Britain at Low Tide (2016-) will return to our screens this week. The show features archaeologists Dr Tori Herridge and Dr Alex Langlands as they explore coastal areas and their historical treasures as the tide goes out.

The first episode of the series starts off on the north Kent coast, as Dr Tori Herridge and the team explore the mystery of the shingle bank called The Street in Whitstable, explore a shipwreck in Tankerton, which can only be accessed once every year at very low tides. These areas have previously hosted productions such as The Thames: Britain’s Great River With Tony Robinson (2019) and Celebrity Antiques Road Show (2018).

The programme also explores the remains of  Richborough Port in Pegwell Bay near Sandwich, which played a crucial part in supporting the Western Front in WWI. Sandwich is a medieval town situated on the River Stour and boasts golf clubs, eateries and B&B’s as well as a museum, windmill and Roman Fort. Productions which have previously visited the town include Celebrity Antiques Road Show (2018) and Countryfile (2020). 

Production also paid a quick visit to the Port of Ramsgate, adjacent to the popular seaside town in Kent, that has been used in previous productions such as Ross Edgley’s Great British Swim (2018) and Britain’s Favourite Walks: Top 100 (2018).

Britain at Low Tide will air on Saturday 14th September 2019 on Channel 4 at 8pm. The series will then air each Saturday.

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


Kathy Burke’s All Woman (2019)

Black and white close up of comedienne and actress Kathy Burke looking at the camera smiling.

Kathy Burke in Kathy Burke’s All Woman ©Channel 4

Director: Louise McGregor, Lucy Wilcox
Starring: Kathy Burke
Production Company: Flicker Productions
Kent Locations Used: Tankerton Beach, Whitstable

British comedienne and actress Kathy Burke presents this three-part documentary series for Channel 4, discussing the challenges of what it means to be a woman in our era. Topics include motherhood, beauty, work, personal image, sex and relationships.

Kathy Burke is known for her character Kevin in Harry Enfield Presents Kevin’s Guide to Being a Teenager. She has also appeared in other productions such as Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, as well as participating in regular comedy panel shows such as 8 out 10 Cats Does Countdown, and The Last Leg.

In episode 3, Kathy Burke visits Whitstable town and beaches where she speaks to the women of PEG – the Profanities Embroidery Group.

Other productions have also visited Whitstable, including Britain at Low Tide (2018), Catastrophe Series 4 (2019), and The Apprentice (2015).

Kathy Burke’s All Woman will air on Channel 4 on Tuesday 13th August 2019 at 10pm.

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


Britain’s Most Historic Towns – Series 2 (2019)

Presenter Alice Roberts wearing a pink top and headband seen driving a green tractor in a field in Dover, Kent.

Alice Roberts exploring Dover, Kent ©Channel 4 Television

Starring: Alice Roberts
Production Company: IWC Media and Channel 4 Television
Kent Locations Used: Canterbury and Dover

Documentary series Britain’s Most Historic Towns (2018-) returns this week, where presenter Alice Roberts (Digging for Britain) explores the UK’s past, by focusing on six key eras as she travels to different towns which best illustrate each of these.

Episode one of the second series kicks off in Kent, where Alice examines Britain in wartime by looking at the coastal town of Dover.

In addition to this, production also visited the historical city of Canterbury, as well as Canterbury Castle, St Augustine’s Abbey, Blean Forest and Eastbridge Hospital.

Dover is the site of the famous The White Cliffs of Dover and has been used in previous productions such as The Lost Commando Raid (2018) and Celebrity Antiques Road Show – Series 8 (2018).

Canterbury is a popular filming location and has hosted a variety of filming, such as the productions for River Walks (2018) and Britain’s Great Cathedrals with Tony Robinson (2018).

Presenter Alice Roberts sitting by the river in Canterbury.

Presenter Alice Roberts exploring Canterbury ©IWC Media

Britain’s Most Historic Towns Series 2 is due to air on Channel 4 on Saturday 18th May 2019 at 8pm and will air on a weekly basis.

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


Child Genius Series 6 (2019)

Image of presenter Richard Osmon in a blue suit holding a child genius card with book shelves pictured in the background.

Presenter Richard Osmon ©Channel 4

Starring: Richard Osman
Production Company: Wall to Wall
Kent Locations Used: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

The competition to find UK’s brightest children continues on Channel 4. The competition is in association with British Mensa and tests twenty 8-12-year old’s in areas like spelling, mathematics or niche history to establish whether these children are deserving of the title Child Genius, as well as a unique view inside the childhood of the prodigies, who are from varying backgrounds.

Richard Osman, co-presenter of Pointless, uses his quick wit to test the nation’s sharpest children.

Maidstone Library was used in an upcoming episode, where one of the children was visiting. Southwood Road Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells also features.

Maidstone has been a popular site for TV programmes, productions include Long Lost Family: Born without Trace (2020). Tunbridge Wells has also been an attractive location for TV programmes like Question Time (2016) and series two of Hunted (2016).

Series six starts on Monday 25th February 2019 on Channel 4 at 8pm and will consist of 5 episodes that will air daily till Saturday 2nd March 2019.

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