The Favourite (2019)

Olivia Colman as Queen Anne in The Favourite. Side view of Olivia wearing a cloak and crown staring into the distance.

Olivia Colman as Queen Anne in The Favourite ©Fox Searchlight

Writer: Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz
Production Company: Element Pictures, Scarlet Films, Film4, Waypoint Entertainment
Kent locations Used: Knole

The Favourite (2019) had its world premiere at the 75th Venice International Film Festival in August 2018 where it won two awards. The film is a historical comedy-drama and is set in early 18th Century England. The story follows the life of dysfunctional monarch, Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) and Anne’s close friend and lover, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), who effectively rules the country. However, her efforts to control Anne are undermined when Sarah’s impoverished younger cousin Abigail (Emma Stone) comes to work for Anne as a maid and the two women vie for Queen Anne’s favour.

Emma Stone as Abigail in The Favourite. Emma laying on a bed in a large black and white dress staring at the camera with a fire on in the background.

Emma Stone as Abigail in The Favourite ©Fox Searchlight

The film was directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer) and written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. Starring are Olivia Colman  (The Crown), Emma Stone (La La land), Rachel Weisz, and Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road).

Knole Park was used as the exterior of Westminster Place in a carriage scene that sees our protagonists abused by the peasantry. Sadly, we think this scene may have ended up on the cutting room floor, but do let us know if you spotted it!

Knole in Sevenoaks is the last medieval deer park in Kent surrounding a 600-year-old estate which has previously doubled for The Palace of Westminster during Tudor Times. Other features that filmed at Knole included The Other Boleyn Girl (2008), Burke and Hare (2010) and Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011).

The Favourite was be released in UK cinemas on Tuesday 1st January 2019.

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