Espionage

The 355 (2022)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Four women dressed in evening wear stand in front of a white stone building framed by two large light-up Chinese dragons. On the far left is Graciela, played by Penélope Cruz. Next to her is Mace, played by Jessica Chastain, then Marie played by Diane Kruger. Finally, on the far right stands Khadijah played by Lupita Nyong’o. All four women look nervously off to the left-hand side of the frame.

The 355 (2022) © Universal Studios

Director: Simon Kinberg
Writers: Simon Kinberg, Theresa Rebeck
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, , Diane Kruger, Penélope Cruz, Bingbing Fan
Production Company: Freckle Films, CAA Media Finance, FilmNation Entertainment
Locations Used: Fairbourne Reservoir in Harrietsham

The 355 (2022) is an American spy thriller about a CIA operative who joins forces with three international agents on a mission to recover a top-secret weapon that has fallen into the wrong hands.

Directed and written by Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Twilight Zone) and co-written by Theresa Rebeck (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, NYPD Blue), The 355 cast is headlined by Jessica Chastain (X-Men: Dark Phoenix,  Interstellar), Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave, Black Panther), Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds, The Operative), Penélope Cruz (Murder on the Orient Express, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) and Bingbing Fan (Iron Man 3,  X-Men: Days of Future Past).

During filming, production visited Fairbourne Reservoir near Harrietsham in Maidstone. The property was dressed as Graciela’s (Penélope Cruz) Colombian home.

Fairbourne Reservoir is a modern mansion which has previously featured in two episodes of Netflix’s Black Mirror – Metalhead (2017) and Smithereens (2018). Harrietsham is a picturesque village in Maidstone and contains a number of listed buildings..

The 355 was released in UK cinemas on Friday 7th January 2022.

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

David Jason’s Secret Service (2017)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
David Jason appears in a vintage car in front of a historic espionage building. David Jason's Secret Service, epiisode one- 5th December, Episode two- 12th December, Episode three- 19th December, 9pm on More 4 is written in white on top.

David Jason’s Secret Service – © More 4

Director: James Tovell

Starring: David Jason

Production Company: October Films

Kent locations Used: Folkestone

Sir David Jason presents this three-part documentary series which reveals the secret places, people and stories from Britain’s 20th Century spy history. Episode One explores the inception of the British Secret Service in 1909 by Sir Mansfield Cumming. In 1914, when the First World War broke out in Europe, this group of spies were crucial in securing Allied victories and Folkestone became the frontline for British spy organisations.

In June 2017, the production team filmed at various locations in Folkestone, including the clifftop promenade, The Leas.

The Leas boasts sea views to France and Folkestone itself is renowned for its Creative Quarter with many galleries, shops, relaxing bars and restaurants. Tourists can visit the Kent Battle of Britain Museum which pays homage to the aircrews that defended Britain during the Second World War or visit Folkestone Harbour to explore Kent’s maritime history.

The town has been used previously for filming by productions such as Who Should We Let In? Ian Hislop on the First Great Immigration Row (2017), not to mention the seaside episode for Darling Buds of May, starring Mr Jason himself (1991-1993).

 

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