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.  


Celebrity Antiques Road Show – Series 8 (2018)

Cast of Celebrity Antiques Road Show - Series 8- Four celebritites standing in a row holding up various antiques.

Cast of Celebrity Antiques Road Show – Series 8 ©BBC Two

Starring: Kelly Brook, Denise Van Outen and Peter Andre
Production Company: STV productions
Kent Locations Used: Ramsgate, Margate, Whitstable, Faversham, Sittingbourne, Maidstone, and Ashford

A brand-new series of Celebrity Antiques Road Show (2011-) returns to BBC two.  In the programme each antique expert is paired up with a celebrity and they travel across the UK in vintage cars, in a quest to find worthy antiques to sell at auction.

The series producer for the upcoming show is John Redshaw, and the chosen stars for Series 8 include reality-star Peter Andre, actress Denise Van Outen and model Kelly Brook.

One of the episodes visited Kent where the celebrities played mini-golf in Margate, went antiques hunting in  the sea-side town of Ramsgate and paid a visit to Leeds Castle and Pleasant View Garden Centre in Maidstone, and Whitstable Harbour in Canterbury.

Filming also took place in Faversham and Sittingbourne, which are towns in the district of Swale, as well as further filming in villages Appledore and Chilham in Ashford.

Ramsgate, Margate and Whitstable are seaside towns in East-Kent.  Ramsgate has been a significant filming location for popular television shows such as Juliet, Naked(2018), EastEnders (2015) and The Apprentice (2015).

Faversham and Sittingbourne are both towns within the Swale borough of Kent. Previous productions which filmed there include Celebs on the Farm (2018) and Walks With My Dog (2017).

Ashford is a market town with many shops, eateries, and a designer outlet shopping centre with London and Europe are just a train ride away through Ashford International train station. Previous productions which filmed include The Apprentice (2015).

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).

The series will start on Monday 5th November on BBC Two at 7pm with the Kent episode.

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


Comedy Showcase: Chickens (2011)

Joe Thomas (George), Simon Bird (Cecil) and Johnny (Bert) standing next to each other in front of a blue background staring at feathers

Joe Thomas (George), Simon Bird (Cecil) and Johnny (Bert) © Channel 4

A quirky British comedy like no other, Chickens follows the antics of three young men who are left at home while other British men are fighting the Great War.

Production Company: Big Talk Productions

Kent Filming Locations: Chilham 

Written by and starring Simon Bird, Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners) & Jonny Sweet, Chickens tells the story of three young men who are at home in a sleepy English village while other British men are on foreign soil fighting the Great War.

Meet George, Cecil and Bert.  George is a conscientious objector. The army won’t have Cecil because of his flat feet.  Bert is a philandering scardicat, who’s on the run from the draft and insists on hanging around with them.

As far as the other villagers are concerned, they’re all the same : Chickens.

As the only twenty-something males in a world of women, children and the infirm, they have only each other for company.  Unsurprisingly they’re treated with contempt by the women in the village, but with every other man away they’re working hard to win over the ladies on the home front.

Behind the scenes of Chickens filming in Chilham- three actresses walking along the street in costume in front of a tutor style house

Behind the scenes of Chickens filming in Chilham © Kent Film Office

Behind the scenes of Chickens filming in Chilham- camera crew filming on a driveway next to the garden

Behind the scenes of Chickens filming in Chilham © Kent Film Office

Chickens is a sitcom about three young guys in a women’s world, not being useful, not being proper men, not contributing to their country – but trying to make the best of it, trying to be helpful, trying to enjoy themselves…and above all, trying not to be rubbish.

Some of the filming took place in Chilham which is a village in the Ashford borough of Kent and has a stunning fifteenth century square of black and white timbered buildings. Chilham has been the backdrop for many filming projects including  Emma (2009) and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2005).

Chickens was shown on Friday 2nd September 2011 on Channel 4 at 10.30pm.

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


Emma (2009)

Romola Garai in a pink dress and bonnet staring towards the ground with a smile in front of bushes with flowers on

Romola Garai © BBC

Director: Jim O’ Hanlon

Writer: Sandy Welch

Starring:Romola Garai, Jonny Lee Miller, Michael Gambon, Tamsin Greig, Rupert Evans, Robert Bathurst

Production Company: BBC

Kent Filming Locations: Chilham, Squerryes Court, Westerham.

This Autumn Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ will once again grace our screens with a four part adaptation from the BBC. The new series sees Romola Garai (Atonement) starring as the incomparable Emma Woodhouse, with Michael Gambon (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) as her father.

Jane Austen describes Emma as ‘handsome, clever and rich’ and confessed that Emma is a heroine which no-one but her will like. Emma is determined not to marry. However, she cannot help but play matchmaker to all her friends, often with disastrous consequences. Will she ever learn to let love run its true course?

film light equipment pointed at a white wall with paintings on. Gold furniture is on the floor underneath.

Behind the Scenes at Squerryes © Squerryes

Behind the Scenes at Squerryes- formal gardens with grass and hedges- a film crew are in the centre on the grass and pathway

Behind the Scenes at Squerryes © Squerryes

Market in front of Chilham Castle with actors walking around the stalls.

Market in front of Chilham Castle © Kent Film Office

Wooden Meat Market Stall in front of a brick house with beams.

Meat Market Stall © Kent Film Office

Squerryes Court in Westerham with its grand Georgian rooms was the perfect location to double as the Woodhouse family home. The country house is located in 20 acres of beautiful grounds which include a spectacular garden and an 18th Century Dovecote.    Squerryes Court has been used for productions such as The Hollow Crown: Henry V (2012) and The Boat That Rocked (2009).

The production also chose the beautiful village of Chilham near Ashford to feature as Highbury. Chilham village retains much of its original features, which makes it perfect for period dramas. During filming the square was closed off and all signs of modern life, from the double yellow lines to the burglar alarms, were gently erased. In its place a vibrant market was installed to capture the essence of village life in Jane Austen’s time.

Chilham village has been used for a variety of filming projects including BBC’s Emma (2009), Channel 4 comedy Chickens (2011) and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2005).

The series was shown on BBC One on October 2009 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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


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. 


Hercule Poirots Christmas (1995)

 

David Suchet as Hercule Poirot in a Snowy Chilham with a black classic car behind him

David Suchet as Hercule Poirot in a Snowy Chilham © ITV

Director: Edward Bennett

Writer: Clive Exton

Starring: David Suchet, Philip Jackson, Vernon Dobtcheff,  Simon Roberts

Production Company: Carnival Film & Television, London Weekend Television, Picture Partnership Productions

Kent Filming Locations: Chilham 

In 1995 Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) visited Chilham in Kent for a further instalment of his adventures as written by Agatha Christie.

Multi millionaire Simeon (Vernon Dubtcheff) arranges a Christmas gathering with all the family, including prodigal son Harry (Brian Gwaspari) and a newly discovered grand daughter, Pilar (Sasha Behar).

When everyone is gathered, Simeon hints at changing his will and favouring the newcomers Harry and Pilar . The scene is set for a power game with deadly consequences and when Simeon is mudered, Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) calls upon Poirot to investigate.

Edward Bennett (Agatha Christie, Second Sight: Hide and Seek) directs with David Suchet (Flushed away, A Perfect Murder, The Bank Job) returning as Poirot alonsgside Philip Jackson (Deception, My Week with Marilyn), Vernon Dobtcheff (Before Sunset, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and Simon Roberts  (Hollow, Ted & Ralph).

For this drama, the pictureque Kentish village of Chilham was transformed into a winter wonderland. A layer of snow covered the beautiful timber framed houses lining the square and the approach to Chilham Castle, which represented the family home.

Although it was the first time that the picturesque village was used as the set for an Agatha Christie adaptation, it wouldn’t remain the last as  Miss Marple – The Moving Finger was also filmed there in 2005.  Other filming projects which have filmed in Chilham include Channel 4 comedy Chickens (2011) and BBC’s Emma (2009).

Hercule Poirots Christmas was first shown in 1995 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

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.


Mapp & Lucia (1985–1986)

Mapp and Lucia DVD cover- three characters in a triangle on a purple patterned background. Mapp & Lucia written in pink on top

Mapp and Lucia DVD © London Weekend Television (LWT)

Director: Donald McWhinnie

Writer: E.F. Benson (novel) and Gerald Savory (screenplay)

Starring: Prunella Scales, Geraldine McEwan, Nigel Hawthorne, Denis Lill, James Greene

Production Company: London Weekend Television (LWT)

Kent Locations: Chilham including Cumberland Lodge, Hever Castle

Mapp and Lucia is a Channel 4 series, based on three 1930’s novels by E. F. Benson. Set in the fictional Sussex coastal town of Tilling-on-Sea, the show centres around social schemers Mapp (Prunella Scales) and Lucia (Geraldine McEwan) who will stop at nothing to bolster their position amongst their community’s elite.

Mapp and Lucia, aired in two series of five episodes and was directed by Donald McWhinnie (Moll Flanders, Churchill’s People, Much Ado About Nothing), with the screenplay adapted by Gerald Savory (Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Victorians).

The series stars Prunella Scales (Howards End, After Henry, Wolf), Geraldine McEwan (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Magdalene Sisters, Agatha Christie’s Marple), Nigel Hawthorne (Amistad, Demolition Man, Gandhi) Denis Lill (Batman, The Royal, Richard III) and James Greene (Sherlock Holmes, RocknRolla, Empire of the Sun).

Chilham village with lots of cast members walking around in front of a tudor style house

Mapp and Lucia screenshot at Chilham © London Weekend Television (LWT)

Hever Castle - a car outside the castle

Mapp and Lucia screenshot at Hever Castle London Weekend Television (LWT)

The production was largely filmed in Rye and Winchelsea with Kent also featuring – Chilham is seen in episodes 1, 2 and 10, doubling as Risholme, with Lucia’s home in the Cumberland Lodge on The Street, Olga Braceley’s Home in the Old Rectory and the Tudor Lodge in the square doubling as the Ambermere Arms.

In episode 10, Hever Castle features as the residence of Poppy (Irene Handl), Duchess of Sheffield.

Chilham is a delightfully preserved Tudor village in the Ashford borough of Kent. It is a popular film location due to its stunning fifteenth century square with black and white timbered buildings, Jacobean castle, church, pub and school. Chilham has been chosen as a film location by many filming projects including Emma (2009) and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2005).

The thirteenth century double moated Hever Castle boasts formal Italian Gardens, ornamental lake, adventure playground and maze. The castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and has featured in a variety of productions including The Apprentice (2014), Inkheart (2008) and Anne of a Thousand Days (1969).

Mapp & Lucia aired in 1985–1986 and is now available on DVD.

 

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

 


Battle of Britain (1969)

Battle of Britain movie poster- montage of characters from the film in square boxes, Battle of Britain written in red on top with a sun set scene of a town skyline above

Battle of Britain © United Artists

Director: Guy Hamilton
Writer: James Kennaway, Wilfred Greatorex, Derek Dempster, Derek Wood.
Starring: Michael Caine, Trevor Howard , Harry Andrews, Christopher Plummer
Production Company: Spitfire Productions
Kent Locations Used: Denton, The Jackdaw Inn (Denton), Chilham, RAF Hawkinge

Set in 1940, Battle of Britain (1969) film tells the tale of the epic battle of Britain. Nazi Germany is attacking the airfields of the south east as part of Operation Sea Lion, and in order to stop the enemy from achieving their goals for invasion, the British Royal Air force must fight a desperate battle for control of the skies.

With death defying aerial acrobatics, this historical re-enactment takes the audience to the heart of World War II. With the Luftwaffe advancing onto London, the RAF must gather their destroyed resources and launch a critical attack.

Starring Michael Caine (The Dark Knight, The Prestige), this feature was not to be his last visit to the county: the actor returned in Is Anybody There? (2009), the touching story of the friendship between a young boy and a retired magician, which was filmed in Folkestone and Hythe.

Battle of Britain featured some of the best of Kent’s locations. The village of Chilham was mentioned on fictional signs at the control centre at the end of the film. A popular filming location in the county, Chilham is most famous for appearing in Agatha Christie adaptations. Miss Marple: The Moving Finger (2005) was filmed almost entirely in the village and it was also home for a special Christmas episode of Poirot (1995).

Another Kent Village, Denton, appeared in the film. The local pub, The Jackdaw Inn, had a cameo as the scene for Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music, Beginners) and his on-screen wife, giving the audience an insight into the personal effects of war. The Jackdaw Inn has a room devoted to RAF World War II memorabilia and is a must see for any history buff.

RAF Hawkinge was the obvious choice as a location for the film. With a rich military history, the site is now a museum with the largest collection of Battle of Britain artefacts on show in the country.

Battle of Britain (1969) was released on Monday 15th September 1969 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.