The First Team (2020)

Actors Theo Barklem-Biggs, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, Jake Short, Jack McMullen, Will Arnett sitting on a bench in front of a set of lockers wearing red football shirts

Theo Barklem-Biggs, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, Jake Short, Jack McMullen and Will Arnett in The First Team (2020) © Fudgepark

Writers: Damon Beesley and Iain Morris
Director: Iain Morris, Damon Beesley
Starring: Jack McMullen, Jake Short, and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
Production Company: BBC Studios, Fudge Park Productions
Kent Locations Used: Sevenoaks

The First Team (2020) is a six-part British sitcom following the friendship of three young footballers at a fictional Premier League Club. The series follows the mostly off-pitch antics of the boys played by Shaquille Ali-Yebuah (The Feed, Save Me), Jack McMullen (Little Boy Blue, Brotherhood) and Jake Short (All Night, Man of the House) who are far less talented where money and women are concerned than scoring goals. The series also stars Paolo Sassanelli as the mercurial Italian manager Cesare, Will Arnett (The Lego Movie, Arrested Development) as the team’s eccentric American Chairman, Theo Barklem-Biggs (Sliced, White Gold) as resident hard-man Petey Brooks and Chris Geere (Single Parents, Modern Family) as their ineffectual coach Chris Booth.

This sitcom was written and directed by The Inbetweeners creators Iain Morris (Ill Behaviour, Drifters) and Damon Beesley (The Festival, Siblings). Both writers received the British Comedy Award for Best Sitcom in 2008 for The Inbetweeners, and have also won awards for their comedy series White Gold.

Production visited a private residence in Sevenoaks to double as Petey’s (Theo Barklem-Biggs) house and gardens. Sevenoaks is a Kentish town which is home to landmarks such as Knole Park and Riverhill Gardens, both of which have stunning natural and historic significance. Previous productions to film at Knole Park include The Favourite (2019) and Judwaa 2 (2017).

The First Team will air on BBC Two on Thursday 28th May 2020 at 9:30pm.

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


Will (2011)

 

Will running onto a football pitch with empu stands in front

Will screenshot © Strangelove Films/Galatafilm

Director: Ellen Perry

Writers: Zack Anderson and Ellen Perry

Starring: Damien Lewis, Bob Hoskins, Perry Eggleton

Production Company:Strangelove Films, Galatafilm

Kent Locations Used: The Port of Ramsgate, The Port Of Dover and The White Cliffs of Dover

Will is a feature film about a recently orphaned 11-year-old boy on his journey to Istanbul to watch his favourite football team play in the Champions League Final. Along the way, he overcomes many challenges and meets some interesting people who help him through his journey.

The film is directed by Ellen Perry (P.O.V, The Fall of Fujimori, Great Wall Across the Yangtze) who also co-wrote the script along with Zack Anderson (Pig Hunt, P.O.V, The Fall of Fujimori).

Will is played by Perry Eggleton in his first role in a feature film, starring alongside Damien Lewis (Homeland, Band of Brothers, The Escapist) and Bob Hoskins (Mona Lisa, Hook, Enemy at the Gates).

The production filmed in Kent in May 2010 at The Port of Ramsgate, The Port Of Dover and The White Cliffs of Dover. The locations feature in the film at the start of Will’s journey to Istanbul, as he smuggles himself onto a freight lorry in order to cross the sea to France.

The White Cliffs of Dover at night with a ferry in the sea in front

Will screenshot at The White Cliffs of Dover © Strangelove Films/Galatafilm

The Port of Dover drone shot at night

Will screenshot of The Port of Dover © Strangelove Films/Galatafilm

The The Port of Ramsgate is set on 32 acres of dedicated port land, and is owned and operated by Thanet District Council. Ramsgate itself is a popular historic town and boasts England’s only Royal Harbour. The area has previously been seen on screen in productions such as Eastenders (2015), Not Going Out (2013) and Ruby Blue (2008).

The White Cliffs of Dover are a natural icon of England and they form part of the English coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France. The Port Of Dover is the UK’s busiest passenger Port. The Dover area has featured in productions such as The Tunnel (2013), Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011) and On a Clear Day (2005).

Will was released November 2011 and you can buy it to watch on DVD.

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