Discovery Park

3 Body Problem (2024)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
A close up image of an eye. Inside of the iris are the numbers 03:21:24. On the right-hand side of the image in red and white text are the words 3 Body Problem.

3 Body Problem (2024) © Netflix

Writer: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
Starring: Eiza González, John Bradley, Liam Cunningham, Benedict Wong, Alex Sharp, Tsai Chin
Production Company: Bighead Littlehead, Plan B Entertainment, Primitive Streak, T-Street, The Three-Body Universe, YooZoo Pictures
Kent Locations Used: Discovery Park

Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem (2024) is an 8-part Netflix series which follows humanity’s first contact with aliens from the planet Trisolaris, and a secret organisation who aid them in their invasion of Earth.

Adapted for the screen by David Benioff (Game of Thrones, The Kite Runner), D.B. Weiss (Game of Thrones, Metal Lords) and Alexander Woo (True Blood, The Terror), 3 Body Problem stars Eiza González (Baby Driver, Godzilla vs. Kong), John Bradley (Game of Thrones, Moonfall), Liam Cunningham (Jude (1996), Hunger), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange (2016), Hummingbird (2013)), Alex Sharp (Living (2022), The Trial of the Chicago 7) and Tsai Chin (Memoirs of a Geisha, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).

Production visited Kent to film at Discovery Park in Sandwich.

Formerly a Pfizer research and manufacturing facility, Discovery Park is a large office complex with science labs and offices available for filming. Previous productions to have filmed there include The Old Guard (2020), The Complex: Lockdown (2020), and Baptiste (2019).

The Three-Body Problem will be released on Netflix Thursday 21st March 2024.

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

The Crown Series 1 – 6 (2016-2023)

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Actress Olivia Coleman as Queen Elizabeth II dressed in regimental uniform sitting on a black horse saluting. In the background is a crowd

Olivia Colman in The Crown (2020) © Netflix

Creator: Peter Morgan
Starring: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville, Elizabeth Debicki, Dominic West
Production Company: Left Bank Pictures, Sony Pictures Television
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Brompton Barracks, Cobham Hall, Lydd, Discovery Park, Rochester

The Crown (2016-2023) is a Netflix Original historical drama series focusing on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Based on real events, the series is a fictional dramatization of the political and personal events that shaped her reign.

Created by Peter Morgan (Rush (2013), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)), The Crown was reportedly the most expensive series to be produced by Netflix when it first aired, estimated at £100 million.

In Series 1 – 2, Queen Elizabeth II is portrayed by Claire Foy (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022), A Very British Scandal (2021)) followed by Olivia Colman in Series 3-4 (Landscapers (2021), The Favourite (2019)). Imelda Staunton (Flesh and Blood (2020), Vera Drake) took over the role in Series 5-6, supported by a host of stars including Jonathan Pryce (Wolf Hall (2015), The Two Popes) as Prince Philip, Lesley Manville (Harlots (2017), Mr Turner (2014)) as Princess Margaret, Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby, Widows) as Princess Diana and Dominic West (Genius (2016), Johnny English Reborn (2011)) as Prince Charles.

The Crown production team chose to visit Kent to film at The Historic Dockyard Chatham for Series 1 where they filmed a dockside scene on Anchor Wharf after building part of the side of a ship. The Historic Dockyard Chatham dates back to the 17th century and contains over 100 buildings from the Georgian and Victorian periods. It is a popular film location that has previously featured on screen in Suffragette (2015), Downton Abbey (2010-2013) and Les Miserables (2013).

In Series 4, production visited Brompton Barracks in Chatham, where they used the Parade Square and The Mall for scenes re-enacting Trooping the Colour at the Horse Guards Parade. Brompton Barracks is ideally suited as a location to double for iconic London landmarks with a large parade ground, vaulted cellars under the Officer’s Mess, statues, stone bridges, a museum, and a large ornate arch.

For Series 5, production revisited The Historic Dockyard Chatham where they filmed the Queen boarding a ship at Anchor Wharf. Filming also took place in the village of Lydd, at Hardy Hall and The Green, which was used to recreate Tony Blair, played by Bertie Carvel (Dalgliesh, Doctor Foster), and his family casting their votes in the 1997 General Election – a scene which sadly did not make the final cut. Production also visited Cobham Hall, which doubled as Eton College.

Production returned to Kent for Series 6, with filming taking place at Cobham Hall, which once again doubles for Eton College. A jogging scene was also filmed in a nearby private woodland and in Episode 4 Discovery Park features as the hospital in France where Princess Diana passed away. The wedding of Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Camilla (Olivia Williams) in Windsor was filmed outside Rochester Guildhall in the City Centre doubling for the registry office at Windsor Guildhall and the wedding procession.

Cobham Hall is a private school in a historic house which is located in 150 acres of Grade II listed parkland. Its features include a stunning ballroom, library, cobbled courtyards, formal gardens, water towers, modern classrooms and sport facilities, including a swimming pool. Previous productions to have filmed at Cobham Hall include Hetty Feather (2015-2020), High End Yaariyaan (2019) and Tulip Fever (2018).

Formerly the HQ for Pfizer in the UK, Discovery Park is a large office complex with science labs and warehouses. Recent productions to have filmed there include The Old Guard (2020), The Complex: Lockdown (2020) and Baptiste (2019).

Rochester City has the feel of a medieval market town, with Cathedral, castle ruins and unspoilt high street by the River Medway. Recent productions to have filmed there include Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022), Series 4 of Unforgotten (2021) and Big Boys Don’t Cry (2020).

The first series of The Crown (2016-2023) was released on Netflix on Friday 4th November 2016. All seasons are currently available to view on Netflix.

Series 6 of The Crown (2016-2023) will be released on Netflix in two parts. Part 1 will be released on Thursday 16th November 2023, with Part 2 following on Thursday 14th December 2023.

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

The Old Guard (2020)

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Actor Charlize Theron in the front centre pointing her gun off camera, 3 other male cast members are lined up behind her on the stairs of a cave with their guns pointed

The Old Guard (2020) – ©Aimee Spinks/Netflix

Writer: Greg Rucka, Leandro Fernandez
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Starring: Charlize Theron, Chiwetell Ejiofor, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Matthias Schoenaerts, Harry Melling, Van Veronica Ngo
Production Companies: Denver and Delilah Productions, Netflix
Filming Locations: Discovery Park Ltd, Sandwich

Based on the comic book of the same name, The Old Guard (2020) is a superhero film that follows Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal mercenaries who have fought to protect the world for centuries. When the secret of their existence is exposed, it attracts the interest of those whose who seek to exploit their powers.

The film stars Oscar winner Charlize Theron as Andromache of Scythia (Mad Max: Fury Road, Bombshell), Academy Award Nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave, Dr.Strange), KiKi Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk, Captive State), Marwan Kenzari (Aladdin, The Murder on The Orient Express), Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden, They Call Me Jeeg) and Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone, Far From The Madding Crowd).

The Old Guard was written by Greg Rucka (Batman: Gotham Knight, Whiteout) and based on the graphic novel he co-created with Leandro Fernandez. The film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Shots Fired, Beyond the Lights).

Sandwich was used as a double for french town Goussainville. Market Street is briefly seen as Andy leaves a Pharmacy. Discovery Park in Sandwich doubles as Merrick Pharmaceutical throughout the film.

Discovery Park, the former Pfizer research and manufacturing facility, is situated just outside Sandwich and has many office and laboratory spaces available for filming. Previous productions to have filmed there include Baptiste (2019), The Lost Commando Raid (2018) and World War Z (2013).

Sandwich lies on the River Stour and is known for its many medieval buildings in addition to its churches and gated stone walls.  John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, is also credited as the inventor of the sandwich.

Town of Sandwich transformed for filming of The Old Guard- two images of Sandwich. The first of the street with an open lorry that has filming quipement in. The second of a street with cars on, the buildings have french flags outside.

Sandwich transformed for filming of The Old Guard © Kent Online

 

 

 

 

 

The Old Guard will release globally on Netflix on Friday 10th July 2020.

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

Baptiste (2019)

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Actor Tchéky Karyo starring as investigator Julien Baptiste wearing a brown jacket pictured standing in a street looking around with people blurred behind him.

Tchéky Karyo as Julien Baptiste in Baptiste Series ©BBC

Writers: Harry Williams and Jack Williams
Director: Börkur Sigþörsson and Jan Mattys
Starring: Tchéky Karyo, Anastasia Hille, Tom Hollander, Camille Schotte, Trystan Gravelle
Production Company: Two Brothers Pictures for BBC One
Kent Locations used: Discovery Park, Dover, Kingsdown, Deal, Ramsgate

The highly anticipated new six-part BBC drama Baptiste (2019-2021) will be airing next week! From the creators of The Missing, this spin-off stars Tchéky Karyo as the insightful, yet stubborn investigator Julien Baptiste. Now retired and trying his best to enjoy his retirement with his family,  the investigator is contacted by Police Commissioner and former girlfriend Martha Horchner (Barbara Sarafian), who brings him a missing person’s case he can’t refuse.

The series is directed by Börkur Sigþörsson (BlackBoxTV, Trapped) and Jan Mattys (The Last Kingdom, Shetland). It was written by Harry Williams (The Missing, Liar) and Jack Williams (The Missing, Liar). Starring are Tchéky Karyo (Section Zéro, The Missing), Anastasia Hille (Prey, The Missing), Tom Hollander (American Dad, The Night Manager), Camille Schotte (The Missing, Belgian Disaster), Trystan Gravelle (The Aliens, A Discovery of Witches).

Production visited numerous Kent locations during filming for the series. These included a scene on Deal seafront, also showing Deal Pier, which features Edward Stratton (Tom Hollander) arriving by boat. A small scene also features a Co-op store in Deal where Edward shops for groceries. Further filming took place in neighbouring Kingsdown, again using the sea road and beachfronts. These include an establishing shot of a seafront house, a drone shot of Undercliffe and Sutton Vale Road of a black taxi and Sutton Vale Country Park where Edward Stratton (Tom Hollander) visits his family and meets with Baptiste (Tchéky Karyo). Kingsdown Beach is also featured for a conversation scene between Edward and Baptiste in the final episode.

Discovery Park in Sandwich was also used in the filming, doubling as a Japanese airport.  A tool store on Manston Industrial Estate in Ramsgate is featured as Baptiste (Tchéky Karyo) shops while talking on the phone.

A dangerous smuggler’s haunt in the 1800s, Deal town boasts a wonderful collection of colourful Georgian buildings, complemented by a long shingle beach with huts, fishing boats and pier restores in the 1950’s. It is a popular filming location and has previously featured in productions such as The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016) and Liar (2017). Kingsdown village is situated south of Deal and features in the James Bond trail.

Sandwich is a town north of Deal on the Stour Estuary and was once one of the Cinque Ports. It still has many original medieval buildings, including churches, almshouses and the White Mill. This location was the base for all three series of Kudos’  The Tunnel (2013), The Tunnel: Vengeance and The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016).

Ramsgate, located in the district of Thanet, is a thriving seaside town with beautiful Georgian terraced housing, Marina, Port and Promenade. Previous TV productions which filmed here include Eastenders (2015), The Tunnel: Vengeance (2017) and Hancock and Joan (2008).

Baptiste is set to air on BBC One on Sunday 17th February at 9pm.

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

The Lost Commando Raid (2018)

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Image of a dark tunnel with The Lost Commando Raid text over the top in bright yellow.

The Lost Commando Raid ©BBC South East

Director: Samuel Supple
Starring: Toby Jones, Phil Eyden
Production Company: BBC South East
Kent Locations Used: Dover

BBC documentary film The Lost Commando Raid (2018) was inspired by Phil Eyden’s book, ‘Dover’s Forgotten Commando Raid’, and tells the story of Operation Abercrombie, a WWII raid led by Lord Lovatt on the French Town of Hardelot in 1942.

Narrating is BAFTA winning actor Toby Jones (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022), Christopher Robin (2018)), as amateur historian Phil Eyden discovers mysterious graffiti in a supposedly abandoned fort in Dover that leads him to the story of a long-forgotten commando mission. The documentary includes interviews with Phil Eyden, as well as some of the relatives  of the commando’s taking part.

Production filmed in and around Dover at various locations, including the Drop Redoubt and the Grand Shaft at Western Heights, St Margaret’s at Cliffe, as well as at Discovery Park, where production filmed historian Phil Eyden using a microfilm reader and talking about Dover’s role in WWII.

Dover is the site of the famous White Cliffs of Dover and has been used in various productions such as Britain’s Favourite Walks: Top 100 (2018), Secret Britain (2016) and Great British Railway Journeys – Series 7 (2016).

The Lost Commando Raid will air on Friday 14th December 2018 at 7.30pm on BBC South East.

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

The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016)

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Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy walking along a beach towards the camera away from a burning plane

The Tunnel Sabotage Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy © Sky Kudos CANAL+

Writer: Ben Richards

Starring: Stephen Dillane, Clémence Poésy, Angel Coulby, Emilia Fox, Clarke Peters, Paul Schneider, William Ash

Production Company: Kudos Film and Television, Shine France

Kent Locations Used: Euro Tunnel, Folkestone Harbour, Discovery Park, Folkestone, Deal and Deal Pier, Dover including the Port and Dover Castle, Westwood Industrial Estate Margate, Ramsgate, Botany Bay – Broadstairs, The Barn in Upstreet, St Martin’s Hospital, Knowlton Court and many more.

The Tunnel: Sabotage is the second series of Sky Atlantic’s critically acclaimed show, re-uniting unlikely Anglo-French detective duo Karl Roebuck (Stephen Dillane) and Elise Wasserman (Clémence Poésy) on another intense investigation.

While series one was a re-imagining of Scandinavian drama “The Bridge”, the new series is an original story by Ben Richards (Outcasts, Spooks) and kicks off with two seemingly isolated events: a plane crashing into the Channel, killing everyone on board and a French couple abducted from the Eurotunnel.

Elise Wasserman (Clémence Poésy), having been promoted to French Commander, is reunited with DCI Karl Roebuck (Dillane) to investigate the two cases. The cross border teams follow a shocking trail of devastation as the victims mount up and become embroiled in a terrifying, deadly game.

The gripping eight part thriller is a Sky Atlantic and Canal+ co-production, made by Kudos and Shine Films France. Joining The Tunnel’s acclaimed production team for the second series are director Mike Barker (Broadchurch, The Smoke) and producer Julian Stevens (Hustle, The Fall).

Stephen Dillane (King Arthur, Game of Thrones) and Clémence Poésy (127 Hours, In Bruges) return in the lead roles, supported by Angel Coulby (Merlin, The Jacket), and new to series two, Emilia Fox (Silent Witness, The Wrong Mans), Clarke Peters (Notting Hill, The Wire), Paul Schneider (Parks and Recreation, The Newsroom) and William Ash (Waterloo Road, Shameless).

The hit first series was largely filmed in Kent and the county welcomed The Tunnel: Sabotage production team once again to their base at Discovery Park in Sandwich. Filming took place in a number of East Kent locations between April and July 2015 including:

Canterbury: The Barn in Upstreet, St Martin’s Hospital, Knowlton Court

Dover: Discovery Park, Deal and Deal Pier, the town of Dover, Port of Dover, Inn and Hotel, Deal, Sandwich Marina, Dover Castle – Admiral’s lookout

Shepway: Euro Tunnel, the town of Folkestone, Folkestone Harbour

Thanet: set building in a warehouse on Westwood Industrial Estate in Margate, Botany Bay and the towns of Ramsgate and Margate

East Kent is ideally situated with great transport links both to London and Europe. The area boasts a wealth of locations including industrial as well as historic buildings and beautiful coastal landscapes. East Kent has previously featured on screen in many projects such as Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Edge of Heaven (2014), The Honourable Woman (2014), Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011), Great Expectations (2011/2012), On A Clear Day (2005) and Die Another Day (2002).

Don’t miss the much anticipated return of The Tunnel: Sabotage which starts on Tuesday 12th April 2016 at 21:00 on Sky Atlantic. The whole series will also be available on Sky Box Sets from this date.

 

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

James May’s Cars of People (2014)

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James May and Henri Cogi sitting in a KV Mini 1 microcar, in Landes-Le-Gaulois, France

James May © BBC Worldwide/Rod Fountain

Production Company: BBC

Kent locations: Discovery Park

James May’s Cars of People is a new BBC Two series where the Top Gear presenter discovers how the car became an everyday part of people’s lives.

In the finale of the three part series, James explores how aspiration and wealth drove the development of some of the greatest cars ever made such as the Rolls Royce, Lamborghini and Porsche. James also reveals his ultimate people’s car which he deems to be the greatest vehicle in history.

James May visited Discovery Park in Sandwich for episode three where he drives a car around the industrial site.

James May standing by a Renault 4 and Citroën 2CV in a farmyard in front of a barn in Blois, France

James May © BBC Worldwide/Rod Fountain 2

Discovery Park is the former head quarters of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and after a change of ownership in 2012, is fast becoming Europe’s leading science and technology park. The site offers a hub for the science, technology, business and enterprise sectors and boasts large office complexes, scientific laboratories, warehouses and plants.

Discovery Park has previously been used as a film location by productions such as feature film World War Z (2013) and Sky Atlantic thriller The Tunnel (2013).

Don’t miss the final episode of James May’s Cars of People which features Discovery Park and can be seen on Sunday 24th August 2014 on BBC Two at 21:00.

 

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

The Tunnel (2013)

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Clemence Poesy (Elise Wassermann) and Stephen Dillane (Karl Roebuck) standing in the centre of a tunnel

The Tunnel – Clemence Poesy (Elise Wassermann) and Stephen Dillane (Karl Roebuck) © Sky Atlantic/Justin Downing

 

Starring: Stephan Dillane, Clemence Poesy, Keeley Hawes, Liz Smith, David G. Robinson, Angel Coulby, Tobi Bakere, Mathieu Carriere

Production Company: Kudos Film and Television, Shine France

Kent Locations: Channel Tunnel, Folkestone Harbour, Discovery Park, Connaught Barracks, Folkestone, Dover, Margate, The Port of Dover, The Turner Contemporary and many more.      

Inspired by hit Scandinavian drama The Bridge, The Tunnel is a new 10 part Sky Atlantic series set against the backdrop of a European crisis after a French politician is found dead on the border between the UK and France. Detectives from the respective countries are sent to investigate but at the crime scene comes a shocking discovery, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership.  As the serial killer uses ever more elaborate and ingenious methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society, the detectives are drawn deeper into his increasingly personal agenda.

The series is a Sky Atlantic HD and CANAL+ co-production from Kudos Film and TV and Shine France Films in association with Filmlance and was adapted by an Anglo-French writing team led by Ben Richards (Spooks, Outcasts, Party Animals).

The series stars many famous faces including Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones), Clémence Poésy (Harry Potter series), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Tom Bateman (Da Vinci’s Demons), Keeley Hawes (Ashes to Ashes), Liz Smith (The Royal Family), Tobi Bakare (Silent Witness), Jeanne Balibar (The Invisible Woman), Thibault de Montalembert (Days of Glory), Mathieu Carrièrre (High Speed), Angel Coulby (Merlin) and Jack Lowden (Mrs Biggs).

In November 2012, Kent welcomed The Tunnel’s production team who based themselves at Discovery Park in Sandwich.  Filming took place at a variety of East Kent locations between February 2013 and August 2013.

Many prominent Kent locations were used such as the Channel Tunnel, Connaught Barracks, Discovery Park, Folkestone Harbour, The Turner Contemporary, The Port of Dover, Westwood Cross Shopping Centre as well as the towns of Folkestone, Dover and Margate, and the production also made use of the Kent Film Office’s legal powers to close roads for filming.

East Kent has previously provided the back drop for many filming projects such as Dominic Savage’s True Love (2012), Ginger and Rosa (2012), My Week with Marilyn (2011), Son of Rambow (2008) and Venus (2007).

Don’t miss the start of The Tunnel which will be start on Wednesday 16th October 2013 on Sky Atlantic at 21:00.

 

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

World War Z (2013)

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World War Z - Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) standing in front of a queue of taxis

World War Z – Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) © Paramount Pictures

Director: Marc Forster

Writers: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard and Damon Lindelof (screenplay) and Max Brooks (novel)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Sterling Jerins, Matthew Fox, James Badge Dale

Production Company: Skydance Productions, Hemisphere Media Capital, GK Films, Plan B Entertainment, 2DUX²

Kent locations used: Discovery Park, Sandwich

World War Z is an apocalyptic action, sci-fi film starring Brad Pitt (Fight Club, Oceans Trilogy) as United Nations researcher Gerry Lane who is forced to leave his family to travel across the world in a race against time to try and stop the zombie pandemic that is threatening to decimate humanity itself.

Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) running with soldiers down a street

Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) © Paramount Pictures

Based on the 2006 bestselling novel of the same name by author Max Brooks, the film is directed by Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace, Monster’s Ball)from a screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan (Lions for Lambs, State of Play) Drew Goddard (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Lost) and Damon Lindelof (Lost, Star Trek – Into Darkness).

Brad Pitt is a supported by Mireille Enos (The Killing), Sterling Jerins (Deception), Matthew Fox (Lost) and James Badge Dale (The Departed).

In September and October 2012, the World War Z production team visited Discovery Park in Sandwich, Dover to use the offices and laboratories  to shoot scenes where Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) tries to find a cure for the zombie pandemic.

Discovery Park is the former head quarters of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. It offers large office complexes, scientific laboratories, warehouses and plants. 

Discovery Park has previously been used as a film location by  Sky Atlantic drama, The Tunnel (2013) and new BBC series James Mays Cars of People due out in 2014.

Don’t miss World War Z which is out in cinemas on Friday June 21st 2013.

 

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