Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2006)

Geraldine McEwan and James D'Arcy staring into the camera in front of a period style house

Geraldine McEwan and James D’Arcy as Miss Marple and Jerry Burton © ITV

Director: Tom Shankland

Writer: Kevin Elyot

Starring:  Geraldine McEwan, James D’Arcy, Emilia Fox, Jessica Hynes, Kelly Brook, Sean Pertwee, Ken Russell , Harry Enfield .

Production Company: Granada, WGBH Boston, Agatha Christie

Kent Filming Locations: Chilham village, Chilham Castle, St Mary’s Church

Miss Marple is the popular ITV series adapted from Agatha Christie’s murder mystery novels. The Moving Finger is a feature length episode about a delightful countryside village named “Lymstock” where Jerry Burton (James D’Arcy) comes to recuperate after an accident, accompanied by his sister Joanna (Emilia Fox). Beneath the beautiful exterior of Lymstock lies an ugly web of deceit and evil unleashed by a poison pen writer and gruesome murders. Along with Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan), Jerry Burton (James D’Arcy) look for clues to try and stop the killer in their tracks.

Kelly Brook and Harry Enfield along with other cast members looking down to the floor at a funeral, film crew are to the left filming them

Filming of Miss Marple with Kelly Brook and Harry Enfield © ITV

Emilia Fox sat on a chair in costume signing autographs

Emilia Fox signing autographs © Ashford Borough Council

Directed by Tom Shankland (Ripper Street, The Children)  and starring many familiar faces including Geraldine McEwan (Vanity Fair, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves), James D’Arcy (Cloud Atlas, Age of Heroes), Emilia Fox (Merlin, Randall & Hopkirk), Jessica Hynes (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Shaun of the Dead), Kelly Brook (The Italian Job, Piranha 3D), Sean Pertwee (Equilibrium, Event Horizon), Ken Russell  (Waking the Dead, Zero) and Harry Enfield (Bad Education, Kevin & Perry Go Large).

The beautiful village of Chilham was chosen to represent the fictitious hamlet of Lymstock and the production also made use of other locations in the area including Chilham Castle which was used as Mr. Pye’s House and St Mary’s Church which doubled as Lymstock church and graveyard.

Chilham has a remarkable fifteenth century square of black and white timbered buildings and is no stranger to filming, having been used for other projects such as for a variety of filming projects including Channel 4 comedy Chickens (2011), BBC’s Emma (2009), and Hercule Poirots Christmas (1995).

The programme was shown on ITV in 2005 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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


Moon and Son (1992)

 Civic Centre, Folkestone- concrete building with cast members being filmed by a crew in front of the building

Behind the scenes, Moon and Son at Civic Centre, Folkestone © Shepway District Council

Creator: Robert Banks Stewart
Directors: Ken Grieve, Robert Tronson, Paul Harrison, Roger Tucker
Writers: Michael Aitkens, Leslie Darbon
Cast: Millicent Martin, John Michie, Laure Killing, Ian Redford, Patrick Drury, John Fitzgerald Jay
Production Company: BBC
Kent locations Used: Folkestone, Kent and East Sussex Railway, Oare Marshes, Chilham Castle, Crabble Corn Mill, Deal, Folkestone Harbour, Dungeness Estate, The Grand Hotel in Folkestone, The Leas Cliff Hall and The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

Moon and Son (1992) is a 13-episode BBC series created by Robert Banks Stewart (Darling Buds of May (1991-1993), Doctor Who), which follows a professional fortune teller, Gladys Moon (Millicent Martin), and her son Trevor (John Michie) as they solve a multitude of mysteries.

The series stars Millicent Martin (Days of Our Lives, Grace and Frankie), John Michie (Coronation Street, Holby City), Laure Killing (Paris Criminal Investigations, Nouvelle Vague), Ian Redford (The Remains of the Day, Coronation Street), Patrick Drury (The Crown (2016-2020), Father Ted) and John Fitzgerald Jay (Roujin Z, Reign).

The production filmed at a variety of locations in Kent and in Nord-Pas-De-Calais across the Channel. Folkestone is the main UK setting and hometown of the Moons. Folkestone Harbour is also used frequently as the Moons travel between Folkestone and Boulogne. The Folkestone area has been used for previous productions including The Tunnel (2013) and Everyone’s Going to Die (2013).

Wittersham Road Station, which is part of Kent and East Sussex Railway, features as a hideout in Episode Two. It is a versatile historic railway that boasts an extensive list of production credits including Mapp and Lucia (2014) and Last Passenger (2013).

The Oare Marshes appear as the location for Mr Marsh’s (Gregory Floy) business in Episode Two and again as the quarry lake where his body is discovered. The Oare Marshes is a reserve consisting of one the few grazing marshes left in Kent. Other productions to have filmed there are A Taste of Britain (2014), Channel 4’s Southcliffe (2013) and Great Expectations (2012).

Chilham Castle, a historic building set in the Tudor village of Chilham features as Lady Doddington’s Estate in Episode Nine of the series. The village of Chilham has welcomed other productions including BBC’s Emma (2009), Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2006) and Dempsey and Makepeace ‘Cry God for Harry’ (1985).

Crabble Corn Mill also features in Episode Nine as Denham’s Auction House. Recognised as one of Dover’s hidden treasures, Crabble Corn Mill is one of the most complete working Georgian watermills. Dover has often been seen on screen, in particular Dover Castle, in productions such as The Apprentice (2015), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

The Old Boatmen’s Room on Deal’s Marina doubled as Basil’s Chapel in Episode Ten. Deal boasts a stunning seafront and pier, as well as two Tudor castles and a thriving high street. Other productions to have filmed in Deal include Legacy (2013) and Ruby Blue (2007).

Other locations that appear in Moon and Son include the palm court at Folkestone’s The Grand, which features frequently as Gladys’ preferred haunt for tea. Additionally, The Leas Cliff Hall is home to the final showdown of Episode Two and The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway features in Episode Twelve as the location of hidden diamonds.

Moon and Son aired in 1992.

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


Married… with Children Season 6 (1992)

Katey Sagal as Peggy and Christina Applegate as Kelly stand looking at a member of the Queen’s Royal Guard. Peggy is wearing a black coat and leopard print scarf. Kelly is wearing a black leather jacket and red top.

Married… with Children (1992) © FOX

Creators: Ron Leavitt, Michael G. Moye
Starring: Ed O’Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, David Faustino
Production Company: ELP Communications, Columbia Pictures Television
Kent Locations Used: Chilham, Chilham Castle

Married… with Children (1987-1997) is a US sitcom which follows the Chicagoan Bundy family, consisting of hard luck shoe salesman Al, his lazy wife Peggy, their attractive but dumb daughter Kelly, and their smart but unpopular son Bud. The three-part finale of Season 6 sees the Bundy family going on a free trip to England that turns out to be the cover for a murder plot.

The series stars Ed O’Neill (Modern Family, Finding Dory) as Al, Katey Sagal (Futurama, Sons of Anarchy) as Peggy, Christina Applegate (Bad Moms, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead) as Kelly, and David Faustino (The Legend of Korra, The Young and the Restless) as Bud. The Season 6 finale features guest stars Bill Oddie (The Goodies, Springwatch) as local historian Winston and Alun Armstrong (Breeders Series 2 (2021), Year of the Rabbit (2019)) as assassin-for-hire, Trevor.

The three-part finale was filmed in the Kentish village of Chilham, which doubled as the fictional village of Lower Uncton. Chilham has featured in various other productions, including A Canterbury Tale (1944), Emma (2009) and Chickens (2011).

Chilham Castle also features throughout the three episodes as the castle the Bundy’s stay in. Originally built in 1616, Chilham Castle is a Jacobean manor situated in the heart of Chilham, with extensive parklands, stables and lake. Previous productions to have shot on the castle’s grounds include Episode 9 of Moon and Son (1992), the Series 1 episode of Dempsey and Makepeace “Cry God for Harry” (1985), and Marple: The Moving Finger (2006).

The Season 6 finale of Married… with Children began airing on Sunday 3rd May 1992 and the final episode aired on Sunday 17th May 1992.

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


Dempsey and Makepeace ‘Cry God for Harry’ (1985)

Dempsey (Michael Brandon) and Makepeace (Glynis Barber) facing each other inside Chilham Castle

Dempsey (Michael Brandon) and Makepeace (Glynis Barber) inside Chilham Castle © ITV

Directed by: William Brayne

Written by: Neil Rudyard

Starring: Michael Brandon, Glynis Barber, Ray Smith, Ralph Michael, Keith Bonnard Ralph Arliss, Seretta Wilson, John Terry

Production Company: Golden Eagle Films, London Weekend Television (LWT)

Kent Filming Locations: Chilham Castle, Chilham Square

Dempsey and Makepeace is a British crime drama focusing on the relationship between American Lt. James Dempsey (Michael Brandon) and British Detective Sgt. Harriet Makepeace (Glynis Barber). Dempsey was sent to England after his career ran into trouble in New York, and has been partnered up with Makepeace, under the watchful eye of Chief Superintendent Spikings (Ray Smith).

In episode 9 of Series 1, Makepeace receives the news that her father’s house has been burgled. By Royal Intervention, the detective duo is ordered to investigate and restore the missing collection of priceless Jade artefacts.

Dempsey and Makepeace driving through Chilham village in a white classic car.

Dempsey and Makepeace driving through Chilham © ITV

The episode stars franchise regulars Michael Brandon (Captain America: The First Avenger) Glynis Barber (Hammer of the Gods) and Ray Smith (Struggle, We’ll Meet Again). Guest stars include Ralph Michael (The Quest, Kessler), Keith Bonnard (Noble House, Shanghai Surprise), Ralph Arliss (Grange Hill, Retrace), Seretta Wilson (The Da Vinci Code, London Bridge), and John Terry (Brothers and Sisters, Lost).

Chilham Castle becomes Winfield Hall, the grand English estate of Lord Winfield (Ralph Michael) in this episode. The Jacobean mansion was built in 1616 on the site of an ancient castle, and is now the private home of the Wheeler family. The castle has previously hosted productions such as Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1995) and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2006).

Chilham Square, which is considered to be one of the most perfectly preserved medieval settings in the South East of England, makes a brief appearance in this episode. Dempsey and Makepeace drive through the square as they approach the grand gates to Winfield Hall. Chilham has previously featured in Chickens (2011), Emma (2009), and The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965).

The episode first aired in 1985 on ITV and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

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


The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965)

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders film poster- a man holding the hand of a women and whispering in her ear on a purple background- The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders is written in white

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders film poster © Winchester Productions

Director: Terence Young
Writer: Denis Cannan, Roland Kibbee based on Daniel Defoe’s novel “Moll Flanders”
Starring: Kim Novak, Richard Johnson, Angela Lansbury
Production Company: Winchester Productions
Locations used: Chilham, St Mary’s Church, Chilham Castle

Based on Daniel Defoe’s novel Moll Flanders, the 1965 adaptation titled The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965) is set in the 18th century and follows a young house maid who has many love affairs in the hope to reach the top of society.

The film is a comedy directed by Terence Young (Dr. No, Thunderball) and stars Kim Novak (The Mirror Crack’d (1980), Vertigo) as Moll Flanders alongside Richard Johnson (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Haunting) and Angela Lansbury (Murder, She Wrote, Bedknobs and Broomsticks).

Chilham square doubles as the village where Moll grew up, Chilham Castle features as the Mayor’s House and St Mary’s Church is used for the scenes where Moll marries Younger Brother.

Chilham is a popular filming location renowned for its beautiful charm and stunning square with fifteenth century of black and white timbered buildings. Productions that have previously filmed in Chilham include Emma(2009) and Battle of Britain (1969).

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965) was released in the UK on Thursday 22nd July 1965 and is now available to purchase on DVD.

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