Welcome to Curiosity (2018)

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Kent Film Office

Amrita Acharia as Zoe walks down an empty country road. She wears a red and white skirt, oversized denim jacket and black boots.

Amrita Acharia in Welcome to Curiosity (2018) © Shooting Tiger Pictures

Welcome to Curiosity (2018) follows four interconnected stories as a group of people in the small town of Curiosity find themselves linked to a notorious serial killer. It was the world’s first film to raise its entire production budget through crowdfunding.

The film was directed by Ben Pickering (Two Days in the Smoke, Election Night) and written by Darren Ripley (Two Days in the Smoke). The lead cast includes Christian Solimeno (Guilt, Hollyoaks) as Dexter, Eke Chukwu (Inside Man, How We Met) as Al, Gary Grant (Enemy Lines, The Lazarus Project) as Tim and Amrita Acharia (Game of Thrones, The Sister) as Zoe.

Various scenes were shot on the streets of Gravesend and Rochester. Fort Borstal also features, doubling as an abandoned warehouse where the criminals return after their heist and Fordy (Richard Blackwood) tries to double-cross them.

Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent on the south bank of the Thames. Gravesend’s pier is the oldest remaining cast-iron pier in the world, and the town also boasts an unspoilt promenade, high street and two shopping centres. Previous productions to have filmed here include The Escape (2018), The Interceptor (2015) and The Long Memory (1953).

Rochester City has the feel of a medieval market town, with cathedral, castle ruin and unspoilt high street by the River Medway. Built in 1895, Fort Borstal was designed to hold the high ground southwest of Rochester. Used as an anti-aircraft battery in WWII, then later a pig farm and Young Offenders Institute storage space, the site has now been sold and converted into living accommodation. Previous productions to have filmed in Rochester include Jekyll and Hyde (2015), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Last Orders (2002).

Welcome to Curiosity (2018) was released on Friday 8^th June 2018 and is available to purchase on Amazon Prime.

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

The Hospice

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Kent Film Office

The Hospice Series – Featured Staff of the Show ©Ellenor

Production Company: Knickerbockerglory

Kent location used: Gravesend, Kent

The Hospice is a new, ground-breaking series focusing on the lives of patients under the care of ellenor – a British hospice based in Gravesend, Kent that provides an individualized approach to end of life care.

The series was commissioned by Together and produced by Knickerbockerglory – the creators of Channel 5’s long running series GP: Behind Closed Doors.

The Hospice follows the deeply personal stories of adults and children who are receiving end-of-life care both in their own homes, and at the ellenor inpatient ward in Gravesend as well as the daily tasks of the many hospice workers and volunteers who are so essential to providing this service.

Together will broadcast the first of 13 hour-long episodes of ‘The Hospice’ on Tuesday 8th May at 10pm on Freeview, Sky, Virgin, freesat and on demand services, like TV Player.

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.

The Rizen (2017) and The Rizen: Possession (2020)

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Kent Film Office

Hand holding open book of arcane symbols

The Rizen © Lost Eye Films Ltd

Written and directed by: Matt Mitchell

Starring: Sally Phillips, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Tom Goodman-Hill, Adrian Edmondson

Production Company: Lost Eye Films

Kent Locations Used: Manor Way Business Park in Swanscombe, Old Town Hall Gravesend, Powerhub in Maidstone, Northfleet Industrial Estate

The Rizen (2017) and The Rizen: Possession (2020) is a horror story set in 1955, an era when both NATO and the Allied Forces were supposedly conducting secret, occult experiments in a bid to win the Arms Race.

What if they had succeeded and what the Army unleashed threatens to tear the world apart?

Man standing side-on looking at the Suited Women (Sally Phillips) who is looking forward.

The Rizen © Lost Eye Films Ltd

The Rizen was written and directed by Matt Mitchell (Gangsters, Guns & Zombies, It Never Sleeps). The film stars Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Decoy Bride), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Lucy, Rush), Tom Goodman-Hill (Mr Selfridge, Everest) and Adrian Edmondson (War and Peace, Bottom).

The production was largely based in Kent and the Manor Way Business Park in Swanscombe was used as their studio. Production filmed the endless, dark corridors in the Powerhub in Maidstone and ‘laboratory’ and ‘radio room’ scenes at Northfleet Industrial Estate with both locations doubling as an ex-military base. Filming also took place at Gravesend Old Town Hall which featured as a Grand Hall for an ‘academy’.

Manor Way Business Park is an industrial area with offices and warehouses located in Swanscombe, famous for its spectacular finds of Early Man. The site has excellent transport links and previously featured in Gangsters, Guns & Zombies (2012) and Doctor Strange (2016).

The Gravesend Old Town Hall was once the seat of the local Magistrates Courts and has now been restored to serve as cultural and community venue. Other productions that have filmed in the Gravesend area include Canterbury Tales – The Seacaptain’s Tale (2003), The Interceptor (2015) and Great British Railway Journeys (2014).

Lieutenant Conner Taylor (Lee Latchford-Evans) pointing rifle towards figure in the foreground.

The Rizen © Lost Eye Films Ltd

The Powerhub in Maidstone is a five storey, listed, industrial building with a 1900’s art deco exterior. Inside the building there are a selection of studios, offices, showrooms and amazing studios. Past productions that have filmed in Maidstone include Missing (2009), Children in Need – The Rickshaw Challenge (2015) and Couples Come Dine With Me (2014).

Northfleet Industrial Estate is an estate in two halves, having been cut in half by the high speed railway and each half has its own tone. The location was used for filming a car crash scene in Doctor Strange (2016).

The Rizen (2017) was chosen to headline and close the London Sci-fi Film Festival 2017 on Saturday 6^th May 2017 with its World Premiere and The Rizen: Possession (2020) closed the London Sci-Fi film festival on 22nd May 2019.

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

Children in Need – The Rickshaw Challenge (2015)

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Kent Film Office

Pudsey the bear in the studio with Team Rickshaw sat on the sofa behind him

The One Show’s Rickshaw challenge 2015 – Team Rickshaw. (l-r) Alex Jones, Lucy, George G, Pudsey, Erin, Amira, Matt Baker, George D, Elliot © BBC

Kent Locations: Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Chatham, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Rochester, Gravesend, Dartford

Returning in 2015 for its fifth year is The One Show Rickshaw Challenge, in aid of BBC Children in Need. With help from The One Show presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones, six young riders embark upon an epic 470-mile journey pedalling a rickshaw.

Across eight days the team will cycle from Land’s End to the East End, beginning their pursuit on Friday 6^th November 2015. The end of Day Six will see the team touch down in Brighton, before beginning the sixty miles plus journey to The Historic Dockyard Chatham the following day. The expedition will take the team through a number of towns in Kent, including parts of Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Chatham, Rochester, Gravesend and Dartford .

The cumulative total of money raised so far by The Rickshaw Challenge is over £7.9 million, all of which goes towards supporting disadvantaged young people in the UK.

Tunbridge Wells is a town in West Kent, home to a host of historic buildings, specialist shops, churches and a busy town centre. Productions which have previously filmed in the area include Britain’s Best Bakery (2012), Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015) and Hunted (2012).

Maidstone is the county town of Kent, home to a number of parks and shopping facilities, as well as The Maidstone Studios which is the UK’s largest independent High Definition TV studio facility. Productions which have filmed in the area include Take Me Out (2015), Later… with Jools Holland (2015) and Couples Come Dine With Me (2014).

Rochester offers beautiful cobbled streets, parks and the Cathedral and castle while Chatham is home to The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Day Seven’s final destination before Team Rickshaw makes their way up to Elstree to finally complete the challenge. The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular filming location on account of its Georgian and Victorian architecture and authentic cobbled streets (which the rickshaw riders might be hoping to avoid!). The Medway area has previously been seen on screen in Jekyll and Hyde (2015), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

The town of Gravesend is situated in North West Kent, with exceptional transport links up to London. Gravesend has previously hosted productions including Babylon (2014), The Interceptor (2015) and Great British Railway Journeys (2014).

Dartford is situated close to Bromley and Bexley and boasts great travel links in and out of Kent. Full of quaint architecture and great guesthouses and hotels, Dartford has hosted other productions in the past such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and The Inbetweeners (2010).

Tune into The One Show on BBC One at 19:00, BBC One to follow Team Rickshaw’s progress from Friday 6^th November until Friday 13^th November, when the Children in Need Appeal Show will be airing.

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

The Interceptor (2015)

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Kent Film Office

The Interceptor actors in an office L-R Valerie (LORRAINE ASHBOURNE), Cartwright (EWAN STEWART), Ash (OT FAGBENLE), Martin (CHARLIE DE MELO), Tommy (ROBERT LONSDALE), Kim (ANNA SKELLERN)

The Interceptor Valerie (LORRAINE ASHBOURNE), Cartwright (EWAN STEWART), Ash (OT FAGBENLE), Martin (CHARLIE DE MELO), Tommy (ROBERT LONSDALE), Kim (ANNA SKELLERN) © BBC/Des Willie

Creator: Tony Saint

Director: Farren Blackburn

Starring: O.T. Fagbenle Trevor Eve, Jo Joyner, Robert Lonsdale, Lorraine Ashbourne, Anna Skellern, Lee Boardman

Production Company: BBC

Kent locations: Nell’s Café and the A2, Gravesend

The Interceptor is a new BBC One eight-part series about state-of-the-art surveillance team, UNIT, whose mission is to track down some of Britain’s most wanted and dangerous criminals.

The series is created by Tony Saint (Margaret Thatcher: Long Walk To Finchley), directed by Farren Blackburn (Luther, The Musketeers) and stars O.T. Fagbenle (Looking, Breaking and Entering), Trevor Eve (Death Comes To Pemberley, Waking The Dead), Jo Joyner (Ordinary Lies, EastEnders), Robert Lonsdale (From Here To Eternity, Walking with the Enemy), Lorraine Ashbourne (Playing The Field, King Kong), Anna Skellern (Gambit, Heading Out), and Lee Boardman (Da Vinci’s Demons).

In March 2014, The Interceptor production team visited Gravesend where they filmed at Nell’s Café, an old style truck stop cafe and the A2 alongside it.

Gravesend is on the south bank of the River Thames and boasts a cast iron pier, promenade and high street as well as international links at the nearby Ebbsfleet International station. The Gravesend area has previously welcomed film productions such as Babylon (2014), Great British Railway Journeys (2014) and Age of Heroes (2011).

Don’t miss The Interceptor which starts on BBC One on Wednesday 10^th June 2015 at 21:00.

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

Babylon (2014)

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Jonny Sweet as Tom Oliver, James Nesbitt as Richard Miller and Paterson Joseph as Charles Inglis sitting at a desk in police uniforms

Jonny Sweet as Tom Oliver, James Nesbitt as Richard Miller and Paterson Joseph as Charles Inglis © Channel 4

Writers: Sam Bain, Jesse Armstrong

Starring: James Nesbitt, Brit Marling, Paterson Joseph, Adam Deacon, Jill Halfpenny

Production company: Nightjack Ltd

Kent Filming Locations: Metropolitan Police Training Ground, Gravesend

British comedy drama Babylon is about the people, politics and pressures in London’s police force and returns to Channel 4 for a six part series after a successful pilot episode.

With accusations of racism, the use of lethal force, and corruption, Commissioner Richard Miller (James Nesbitt), who has the impossible job of keeping the capital safe, calls in American visionary from the world of new media Liz Garvey (Brit Marling) for a public image revamp.

Babylon is written by duo Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong (Peep Show, Fresh Meat) and stars an array of familiar face including James Nesbitt (The Hobbit, Cold Feet), Brit Marling (Another Earth, The East), Adam Deacon (Kidulthood, Adulthood), Paterson Joseph (Green Wing, Peep Show) and Jill Halfpenny (Waterloo Road, Eastenders).

The pilot episode was shown in February 2014 and was created and directed by the legendary Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting) who is the executive producer for the series.

The production visited the Metropolitan Police Training Ground in Gravesend where Robbie (Adam Deacon) trains at the firing range and features in episode two.

The Metropolitan Police Training Ground in Gravesend is a specialized training facility and has previously featured in Incendiary (2008).

Babylon starts on Channel 4 on Thursday 13^th November 2014 at 22:00.

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

Great British Railway Journeys (2014)

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Great British Railway Journeys- presenter walking towards the camera with white cliffs behind

Production Company: Talkback Thames

Kent locations used: Gravesend, Rochester, Faversham, Dover, Tonbridge

This BBC Two series follows journalist and broadcaster Michael Portillo as he travels the country by train and looks into how Britain’s railways have shaped the country as well as the impact trains have had on our lives.

On the journey between cathedral cities Norwich and Chichester, Michael Portillo travels across the South East and visits some delightful Kent locations. In episode 18 of the fifth series, he visits Gravesend where he discovers how army officer General Gordon influenced the town before he travels to Rochester to explore the one time home of renowned writer Charles Dickens.

Michael Portillo, John Owen in front of the entrance to Shepherd Neame brewery

In the next episode, Michael starts his journey in Faversham where he visits one of the oldest breweries in the country, Shepherd Neame, to investigate how railways helped the brewery transport beer. He then visits Dover to explore the fortification at Western Heights before heading to Tonbridge where he learns how railways helped Tonbridge School to cricketing glory.

Gravesend is on the south bank of the River Thames and has a cast iron pier, promenade and high street as well as international links at the nearby Ebbsfleet International station. Gravesend has welcomed other film productions such as Long Lost Family: Born without Trace (2020).

Rochester is a historic City that boasts an impressive cathedral and castle that links back to the medieval period. The City has strong connections with Charles Dickens, and many TV and film adaptations of his famous novels have filmed in the area.

Faversham is a beautiful, historic market town which boasts nearly 500 listed buildings and is set on the picturesque Faversham Creek. It has many restaurants, shops, attractions and beautiful walks and has been used for various productions including Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013) and the nearby Oare Marshes were used in feature film Great Expectations (2012).

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover and Europe’s busiest passenger port. The area has been used for many filming projects such as Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Tonbridge is a West Kent market town with a rich cultural heritage and spectacular scenery. The area is surrounded beautiful countryside and boasts castles, stately homes, gardens, farms, as well as sports and leisure facilities. Productions that have previously filmed in the area include Missing (2010).

Don’t miss the Kent episodes of Great British Railway Journeys which will be shown on Wednesday 29 January 2014 at 18:30 on BBC Two and Thursday 30 January 2014 at 18:30 on BBC Two.

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

Piggy (2012)

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Kent Film Office

Paul Anderson as Piggy stands in front of a torn, dirty white sheet. He is wearing a black hoody with the hood up and a pig nose mask. He is staring straight at the camera.

Writer / Director: Kieron Hawkes
Starring: Martin Compston, Paul Anderson, Neil Maskell
Production Company: DP Films, Fulwell 73
Kent Locations Used: Invicta House, The Hive, Manor Way Business Park, Darenth Valley Hospital

Piggy (2012) follows Joe, a mild-mannered anxious man whose life is thrown into turmoil after the violent murder of his brother. He finds an unusual friendship in the brash, hot-tempered Piggy who soon drags Joe into a world of danger, violence and revenge.

Written and directed by Kieron Hawkes (Intergalactic, Fortitude) in his debut, Piggy stars Martin Compston (Our House (2022), Line of Duty) as Joe, Paul Anderson (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), Legend) as Piggy and Neil Maskell (Bull (2021), Klokkenluider (2023)) as Joe’s brother John.

The film was shot in various locations across Kent. Joe’s office was filmed in the Post Room of Invicta House in Maidstone. Joe and Piggy attack a mugger at The Hive in Gravesend, and later drive through Manor Way Business Park in Swanscombe. After his brother is attacked, Joe visits him in Darenth Valley Hospital in Dartford.

As the county town of Kent and seat of local governance, Maidstone plays an important part in Kent’s history. The River Medway runs through Maidstone’s town centre, linking it with nearby towns Rochester and Chatham. The town has many shops, restaurants, bars, churches and a museum. Maidstone has also featured in They Came from Somewhere Else (1984), Missing (2009-2010) and Rustom (2016).

Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent on the south bank of the Thames. The towns pier is the oldest remaining cast-iron pier in the world, and the town also features an unspoilt promenade, high street and two shopping centres. Island (2011), The Interceptor (2015) and The Escape (2018) also filmed in Gravesend.

Piggy (2012) was released on Friday 4^th May 2012 and is available to purchase on Amazon.

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

Island (2011)

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Kent Film Office

Natalie Press sitting on a rock with sea and hills behind her.

Director: Elizabeth Mitchell, Brek Taylor
Starring: Natalie Press, Colin Morgan, Janet McTeer
Production Company: Finite Films and TV, Hopscotch Films, Tailor-Made Films, Tailormade Productions
Kent Locations Used: Gravesend, Somerhill Independent School

Island (2011) is a psychological drama based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Jane Rogers. Incapable of love and desperate for revenge, Nikki Black embarks on a journey to a remote island to seek out the mother who abandoned her at birth.

Directed by Elizabeth Mitchell and Brek Taylor, the film stars Natalie Press (Wasp (2003), Suffragette) as Nikki Black, Colin Morgan (Merlin (2008), Humans – Series 2 (2016)) as Calum and Janet McTeer (The Honourable Woman (2014), Me Before You) as Phyllis.

Filming took place at a private house in Gravesend, which doubled for Nikki’s old house, and at Somerhill Independent School in Tonbridge. A scene was also filmed on Gravesend Promenade however this did not make the final cut.

Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent on the south bank of the Thames. The town’s pier is the oldest remaining cast iron pier in the world, with an unspoilt promenade, high street and two shopping centres. Other projects to have filmed in Gravesend include Canterbury Tales – The Seacaptain’s Tale (2003), The Interceptor (2015) and The Escape (2018).

The Schools at Somerhill are a family of schools within the Tonbridge and Malling district of Kent. Features include a sports hall, swimming pool, spacious dining hall, treehouse complex and a state-of-the-art music building with a large performance area.

Island (2011) debuted in UK cinemas on Friday 22^nd April 2011 and is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission