The End of the F***ing World (2017)

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Kent Film Office

James and Alyssa sitting on bench looking forward with woods in background

The End of the F***ing World: – Alex Lawther as James. Jessica Barden as Alyssa. – © Clerkenwell Films / Channel 4 Television

Writer: Charlie Covell, Chuck Forsman

Director: Jonathan Entwistle, Lucy Tcherniak

Starring: Jessica Barden, Alex Lawther

Production Company: Clerkenwell Films, Dominic Buchanan Productions

Kent Locations Used: Isle of Sheppey, Isle of Sheppey

New Channel 4 comedy-drama series ‘The End of the F****** World’ follows two teenage outsiders, James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), who escape their families to embark on a road trip to find Alyssa’s father. The pair end up getting caught up in a series of violent events and find themselves on a path of discovery.

Alyssa and James sitting at diner table ordering from waitress

The End of the F***ing World: – Alex Lawther as James. Jessica Barden as Alyssa. Juliet Cowan as Diner Waitress – © Clerkenwell Films / Channel 4 Television

The series was written by Charlie Covell (Banana, Forget Me Not) and Chuck Forsman (TEOTFW- 2014). It was directed by Jonathan Entwistle (TEOTFW – 2014) and Lucy Tcherniak (Lay Me Down). The cast is led by Jessica Barden (Coronation Street), and Alex Lawther (Black Mirror).

The series filmed in and around Leysdown on Sea on the Isle of Sheppey, which was part of Entwistle’s attempt at American style filmmaking in a British setting. Writer, Covell, during an interview described how they were trying to find locations which weren’t ‘quintessentially British’, which is why they chose the Isle of Sheppey as the location.

Isle of Sheppey is a coastal village on the east side of the Isle of Sheppey in the Borough of Swale in Kent. Previously, projects such as Hunted (2016) and The Sweeney (2012) featured the Isle of Sheppey.

‘The End of the F****** World’ begins on the 24^th of October 2017 at 10:20pm on Channel 4 and all episodes are available on All4.

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

Quacks (2017)

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Kent Film Office

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

Quacks (C) Lucky Giant – Photographer: Todd Antony

Writer: James Wood

Director: Andy De Emmony

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

Production Company: Lucky Giant

Kent locations used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

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

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

Three Quack characters sitting at bar table looking at camera

Quacks (C) Lucky Giant – Photographer: Mark Johnson

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

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

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

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

Mubarakan (2017)

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Kent Film Office

Main characters in car facing and pointing at camera with film title Mubarakan above them

Mubarakan – (C) Cine1 Studios & Sony Pictures Releasing

Writer: Rupinder Chahal (story), Rajesh Chawla (dialogue)

Director: Anees Bazmee

Starring: Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz, Athiya Shetty, Neha Sharma

Production Company: Cine1 Studios, Mark Production

Kent Locations Used: Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Gravesend

Mubarakan is an upcoming romantic comedy which follows the lives of identical twins, Charan and Karan Singh who are deeply in love with Sweety and Nafisa. When Karan’s family are insistent on his marrying Binkle, the daughter of a very wealthy family, he persuades them to offer Charan as a groom instead. Unfortunately, Charan is equally determined to marry the love of his life, Nafisa.

The film was written by Rupinder Chahal (Love Punjab, Chak Juwana) and Rajesh Chawla (Dehleez, Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene) and directed by Anees Bazmee (Welcome back, No Entry: Pudhe Dhoka Aahey). The prestigious Bollywood cast is led by Arjun Kapoor (Half girlfriend, Ki & Ka) who, not for the first time, plays both brothers and supported by Anjil Kapoor (Fanney Khan, Welcome back) Ileana D’Cruz (Rustom, Happy Ending), Athiya Shetty (Hero) and Neha Sharma (Tum Bin 2, Xuan Zang)

The production filmed scenes at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara temple in Gravesend. The Sikh temple has 5 elaborate domes inspired by the Golden Temple at Amritsa. It also boasts hand crafted marble walls and stained glass windows.

Gravesend is located the south bank of the River Thames and is well known for its pier, promenade and high street as well as international links at the nearby Ebbsfleet International station. Previous productions to have visited the area include Doctor Strange (2016).

Mubarakan will be released in cinemas on 28th July 2017.

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

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Kermit the frog standing in front of a wall of wanted posters featuring his face

Director: James Bobin

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Hugh Bonneville

Production company: Walt Disney Pictures, Mandeville Films

Kent Locations: Historic Dockyard in Chatham

Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted sees the whole Muppets gang on a grand world tour that takes an unexpected turn when they become involved with an international jewel thief who is a Kermit the Frog look-a-like.

Starring alongside the Muppets gang is Ricky Gervais (The Office, The Invention of Lying) Ty Burrell (The Incredible Hulk, Dawn of the Dead), Tina Fey (30 Rock, Mean Girls), and Hugh Bonneville (Notting Hill, The Monuments Men).

Picture of the puppets from the Muppets standing on a railway platform.

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham doubled as Berlin where Kermit decides to go for a lonely walk after having an argument with Miss Piggy. Upon entering a square he is duped by the evil Kermit look-a-like, leading to Kermit’s arrest.

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham is set over 80 acres and contains over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings. It is a popular filming location and has been used for productions such as Call the Midwife (2012-2014), Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes – Game of Shadows (2011).

Don’t miss Muppets Most Wanted which is released in cinemas on 28 March 2014.

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

Edge of Heaven (2014)

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Edge of Heaven cast standing in front of a hotel

Edge of Heaven © Hartswood Films/ITV

Starring: Blake Harrison, Justine Michelle Cain, Camille Coduri, Nitin Kundra, Laura Checkley, Louisa Lytton, Marcia Warren, Adrian Scarborough, Robert Evans

Production company: Hartswood Films

Kent Locations: Margate, Broadstairs, Morelli’s and Morgan’s

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) standing by the seaside with the beach and town behind him

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) © Hartswood Films/ITV

Edge of Heaven is a new six part ITV comedy drama series which displays life at Margate’s finest , and only, ‘80s themed B&B, run by the chaotic Taylor-Chatterjee family, Wham!-loving Judy and her black pudding enthusiast Husband Tandeep, and her grown up children, demobbed soldier Ann-Marie and Alfie, whose life is going badly ever since his fiancée Carly left him at the altar.

Edge of Heaven is a Hartswood Films production for ITV, and is produced by Elaine Cameron (Sherlock, Jekyll) and Paul McKenzie (Sadie J, Dani’s House). The series was written by Robert Evans (Stella), who also stars in the sitcom.

The comedy will feature Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners), Justine Michelle Cain (Some Girls), Camille Coduri (Doctor Who), Nitin Kundra (Steel River Blues), Laura Checkley (Rosemary and Thyme), Louisa Lytton (EastEnders), Marcia Warren (Vicious) and Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey).

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) carrying JUSTINE CAIN (Carly) across the sandy beach

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) and JUSTINE CAIN (Carly) © Hartswood Films/ITV

The production visited Margate and Broadstairs between September and October 2013 to film on location and shoot exterior scenes including the B&B which is in Albert Terrace. The interiors of the B&B were filmed at Longcross Studios.

Margate is the quintessential British seaside town, with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, and historic architecture. The town has lots to offer, including Turner Contemporary, quirky shops, independent galleries and trendy cafes. Margate is a popular filming location, having previously welcomed productions like True Love (2012) and The Apprentice (2009).

Broadstairs is in East Kent offers a sandy beach, Viking Bay lined with traditional beach huts, a band stand and large Victorian terraces as well as a busy high street and many food and drink establishments. The area has previously been used as a film locations by Eastenders (2015) and The Fixer (2008).

Don’t miss the series, which starts on 21 February 2014 at 21:00 on ITV1.

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

The Harry Hill Movie (2013)

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Kent Film Office

The Harry Hill Movie

Director: Steve Bendelack
Writers: Jon Foster, James Lamont, Harry Hill
Starring: Harry Hill, Matthew Hall, Julie Walters, Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Jim Broadbent, Sheridan Smith, Julian Barratt
Production Company: Lucky Features, Jonescompany Productions
Kent Locations Used: Littlestone-on-Sea

Under the mistaken impression that his pet hamster, Abu, is ill, Harry Hill and his Nan (Julie Walters) take him to the vet, who wrongly gives them the tragic news that Abu has one week to live. Harry, who thinks he speaks fluent hamster (but, in fact, misunderstands every squeak that comes out of his little pal’s mouth), incorrectly thinks Abu’s dying wish is a trip to Blackpool. With Nan making three, the trio embark on a road trip to the seaside town. Unbeknownst to them, the Vet is actually the dirty rotten henchman of Harry’s evil twin brother Otto (Matt Lucas), who was raised separately by Alsatians. Addicted to Hula-Hoops and fuelled by revenge, Otto’s nefarious plot is to kidnap Abu and make him the centrepiece of the plastinated hamster world he’s creating in his evil lair. Can Harry and Nan stop Otto before it’s too late?

The film is Comedian Harry Hill’s big screen debut and stars a wealth of British acting and comedy talent including Harry Hill (TV Burp, Harry Hill), Julie Walters (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One (2010), Canterbury Tales (2003)), Jim Broadbent (Vanity Fair (2005), King Lear (2018)), Simon Bird (The Inbetweeners (2010), Friday Night Dinner), Guillaume Delaunay (Victor Frankenstein, Tale of Tales), Matt Lucas (Little Britain (2003), Bridesmaids), Marc Wootton (Nativity!, Arthur Christmas), Sheridan Smith (Morgana Robinson’s Summer (2017), Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps) and Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh, The Great (2020)).

Directed by Steve Bendelack (The League of the Gentlemen, Mr Bean’s Holiday) and written by Jon Foster and James Lamont of Armstrong and Miller as well as Harry Hill himself, this film is sure to promise high jinks, and crazy characters.

In May 2013, the production visited Littlestone-on-Sea where they filmed various scenes of Harry and his Nan arriving in an old car and staying at a B&B in the fictional village of “Black Pole”.

Littlestone lies on the coast between Greatstone and St Marys Bay, and is a village with a sea wall, promenade, beach huts, lifeboat station and beach consisting of shingle, mudflats and sand. Nearby Dungeness is a popular filming location having been used for The Poison Tree (2012).

The Harry Hill Movie was released in cinemas on December 20^th 2013 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

Not Going Out (2013)

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Kent Film Office

(L-R) Lucy holding Daisy mask, Daisy holding Lee Mask & Lee holding Lucy mask. Lucy (SALLY BRETTON), Daisy (KATY WIX), Lee (LEE MACK)

Not Going Out © BBC, Avalon, Neil Genower

Writer: Lee Mack
Director: Alex Hardcastle and Nick Wood
Starring: Lee Mack, Sally Bretton, Hugh Dennis, Abigail Cruttenden, Bobby Ball
Production Company: Avalon Television
Kent Locations Used: Port of Ramsgate

Popular BBC comedy sitcom Not Going Out is about Lee who has been drifting through life and his landlady Lucy who happens to be the woman of his dreams.

Now in its sixth series, Not Going Out is perfect Friday night viewing, with comedian Lee Mack taking the lead role, supported by Sally Bretton , Miranda Hart , Bobby Ball and Katy Wix.

The Not Going Out production visited Port of Ramsgate to film part of the last episode of the sixth series, entitled ‘Boat’. Lee’s dad, Frank (Bobby Ball) has bought a boat and invites Lee and his friends down for the weekend. When they arrive at Port of Ramsgate, which is doubling for Eastbourne, the boat is not what everyone expected!

Port of Ramsgate is managed by Thanet District Council and is the only Royal Harbour in the country. Ramsgate itself is a beautiful coastal town which boasts visually stunning Victorian architecture, a beach, amusements, arcades, shops, eateries and a theatre. The area has welcomed productions such as True Love (2012).

Not Going Out: Boat was first shown on Friday 31^st May 2013 on BBC One at 21:30.

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

Derek (2013)

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Kent Film Office

L-R Dougie (Karl Pilkington) and Kev (David Earl) on a pebbled beach with white cliffs behind

Production company: Derek Productions Ltd

Kent Locations Used: Broadstairs, Dumpton Gap, Viking Bay

‘Derek’, written and directed by Ricky Gervais, is a comedy about ‘Derek Noakes’, a 49-year-old retirement home worker with the unique hobby of autograph hunting. A pilot episode was shown in April 2011 on Channel 4 and January 2013 sees the return of Derek in a full series.

Derek (Ricky Gervais) staring at the camera

Derek (Ricky Gervais) is a kind, simple and selfless man with good intentions who loves listening to the funny stories told to him by the people at the retirement home about the good old days. He also has close relationships with his co-workers Dougie (Karl Pilkington) and Hannah (Kerry Godliman) – expect lots of laughs!

The Derek production team visited many locations in Thanet back in September 2012, including Broadstairs, Victoria Gardens and Viking Bay, where they shot Derek taking his residents on a day trip to the beach.

Broadstairs is a coastal town in Thanet and has a sandy beach lined with traditional beach huts as well as a band stand and large Victorian terraces. There is also a thriving high street and plenty of food and drink establishments. Previous visiting productions to the area included True Love (2012), and The Fixer (2008).

The episode featuring Broadstairs, Victoria Gardens and Viking Bay is the fourth in the series and will be shown on Wednesday 20^th February at 22:00 on Channel 4.

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

Johnny English Reborn (2011)

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Kent Film Office

Rowan Atkinson as Johnny Engish holiday a gun with fire behind him, Johhny English Reborn written underneath

Director: Oliver Parker

Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson, Dominic West, Rosamund Pike

Production Company: StudioCanal, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Kent Filming Locations: The A299 carriageway and Cliffs End, Ramsgate.

Released in cinemas from October 7th, Johnny English Reborn sees M17’s deadliest secret agent in his latest adventure. After a failed mission, Johnny English retreated from service to hone his skills in a remote region of Asia. But when a plot to kill the Chinese premier is discovered, the agency must track down the only man who can stop it… Johnny English.

As the clock counts down to a Heads of State conference, high-tech gadgets and the improbable skills of English reveal that the layers of conspiracy are far reaching: all the way back to MI7.

As always, Johnny English goes to show that a “little intelligence goes a long way”.

Rowan Atkinson (Love Actually, Bean) returns as the haphazard Johnny English with a supporting cast including Gillian Anderson (The X Files, The Last King of Scotland), Dominic West (300, The Wire) and Rosamund Pike (Jack Reacher, Die Another Day).

The A299 carriageway, that runs from Faversham to Ramsgate was used to film a high speed car chase. This was made possible by the introduction of the KCC (filming on Highways) Act 2010, which allows Kent County Council to effect road closure to facilitate filming.

Cliff’s End in Ramsgate was also used as a filming location. Ramsgate is a popular coastal filming location for the county and home to the only “Royal” harbour in the country. Ramsgate has previously been seen in comedy series Not Going Out (2013), drama Hancock and Joan (2008) and the independent film Gypo (2006).

Johnny English Reborn was released in cinemas in October 2011 and is now available on DVD.

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

Comedy Showcase: Chickens (2011)

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Kent Film Office

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

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- camera crew filming on a driveway next to the garden

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.

Kent's Premier Film Commission