World On Fire – Series 1 (2019)

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Kent Film Office

Actor Jonah Hauer wearing a grey suit riding a bike with Zofia Wichlacz wearing a pink top and skirt sat in front of him. Cycling along a cobbled street with an army parade with horses behind them.

Zofia Wichlacz and Jonah Hauer-King in World On Fire ©BBC

Writer: Peter Bowker
Directors: Chanya Button, Adam Smith, Andy Wilson, Thomas Napper
Starring: Jonah Hauer-King, Zofia Wichlacz, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Helen Hunt, Sean Bean and Arthur Darvill
Production Company: BBC One, Mammoth Screen
Kent Locations Used: Historic Dockyard Chatham

Upcoming BBC seven-part drama series World On Fire (2019-), is a coming of age story set against the harsh conditions of World War II.

Written by Peter Bowker (Occupation, Eric & Ernie) directed by Chanya Button (Vita & Virginia), Adam Smith (Trespass Against Us), Andy Wilson (Cracker) and Thomas Napper (Jawbone). The drama series centers around the lives of ordinary people affected by the war starring Jonah Hauer-King (Postcards from London, Little Women) as Army soldier Harry Chase, Zofia Wichlacz (Warsaw ’44, Amok) as Kasia Tomaszeski and Yrsa Daley-Ward (White Colour Black, Der Koch) as Connie. Helen Hunt (As Good as It Gets, Mad About You) plays the role of an American news reporter Nancy Campbell based in Berlin, while Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones) is bus conductor and peace activist Douglas Bennett.

HMS Cavalier at The Historic Dockyard in Chatham was used as a major filming location in Episode 3 of the series playing the role of HMS Exeter during the first Naval battle of World War Two: Battle of River Plate.

Set on the River Medway, The Historic Dockyard Chatham has become a popular film location due to its unique Georgian and Victorian architecture, maritime environment, dry dock, cobbled streets, industrial buildings and collection of preserved naval vessels from different periods of the Royal Navy. The Dockyard has previously featured as a filming location set around the 1940s and 50s in a number of both British and international productions including Summer of Rockets (2019), The Halcyon (2018) and The Crown (2016).

The first episode of World on Fire aired on BBC One on Sunday 29th September 2019 and will also be available on Amazon Prime after the series has aired.

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

Red Joan (2019)

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Kent Film Office

Sophie Cookson wearing a green jumper talking to one of the other characters in the film who has his back to the camera, outside in what looks like a field.

Sophie Cookson in Red Joan ©YouTube

Writer: Lindsay Shapero
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Sophie Cookson, Tom Hughes, Judi Dench
Production Company: Trademark Films
Kent Locations Used: Historic Dockyard Chatham

Feature film Red Joan (2019) follows the life of the KGB’s longest-serving British spy, Joan Stanley (Judi Dench). Sophie Cookson plays Joan in her younger years, when, as a Soviet and communist party sympathizer, she is recruited by the KGB while employed as a British government civil servant. She successfully hands over information about the manufacture of nuclear arms which allows the Soviet Union to keep up with NATO in the arms race, managing to remain undetected for over half a century.

The film is directed by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables, School of Rock) and stars Oscar winning actress Judi Dench (Murder on the Orient Express, Victoria & Abdul), Sophie Cookson (Kingsman: The Golden Circle, The Huntsman: Winter’s War), and Tom Hughes (Victoria, About Time).

Some scenes were filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham using the HMS Cavalier as well as Anchor Wharf.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham, with its Victorian and Georgian architecture has featured in films such as Victoria & Abdul (2017) and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015).

Red Joan is due to be released in UK cinemas on Friday 19^th April 2019.

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

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Kent Film Office

Margot Robbie in Mary Queen of Scots seen standing in the dark in a long grey dress, with a maid at each side dressed in the same grey colour.

Margot Robbie in Mary Queen of Scots ©Universal Pictures

Writer: Beau Willimon
Director: Josie Rourke
Starring: Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie
Production Company: Universal Pictures International
Kent Locations Used: Penshurst Place

Historical drama Mary Queen of Scots is based on John Guy’s book ‘Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart’ and tells the story of Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan), Queen of France, who becomes widowed at 18, defies pressures to remarry and instead, returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her throne. However, when Mary’s attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England (Margot Robbie), fails, she is condemned to years of imprisonment before finally facing execution.

The film was directed by Josie Rourke and written by Beau Willimon and stars Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones, Brooklyn) and Margot Robbie (Wolf of Wall Street, The Legend of Tarzan).

Filming took place at Penshurst Place in Sevenoaks, with lead actress Saoirse Ronan featuring in scenes set in the Baron’s Hall and the Inner Courtyard. The medieval Baron’s Hall also features at the start of the official trailer as a backdrop for Mary’s execution. The solemn procession of spectators waiting to witness Queen Mary’s execution was staged in the Inner Courtyard.

Penshurst Place is a 14^th Century Manor House with preserved interiors, including the unique medieval Baron’s Hall as well as eleven acres of Elizabethan walled gardens. Previous productions using this location were The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses (2016), Wolf Hall (2015), and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Mary Queen of Scots will be released in UK Cinemas on Friday 18^th January 2019.

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

The Favourite (2019)

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Kent Film Office

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 75^th Venice International Film Festival in August 2018 where it won two awards. The film is a historical comedy-drama and is set in early 18^th 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 1^st January 2019.

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

Holmes & Watson (2018)

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Kent Film Office

Movie poster of Holmes and Watson (Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly). Both staring into the camera in front of a horse wearing period suits. John is wearing a hat.

Sherlock Holmes (Will Ferrell) and Watson (John C. Reilly) ©Columbia Pictures

Writer: Etan Cohen
Director: Etan Cohen
Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Ralph Fiennes
Production Company: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Gary Sanchez Productions, Mosaic Media Group, Mimran Schur Pictures
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Holmes & Watson (2018) is a comedic revision of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mysteries and his famed literary characters, detective Sherlock Holmes (Will Ferrell) and his sidekick, Dr John Watson (John C. Reilly). The pair join forces to investigate a murder at Buckingham Palace and learn that they have just four days to stop their arch enemy, Professor Moriarty (Ralph Fiennes), or the queen will become his next victim.

The film was written and directed by Etan Cohen (Men in Black 3, Tropic Thunder), and stars Will Ferrell (Anchorman, Zoolander), John C. Reilly (Step Brothers, Guardians of the Galaxy) and Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Schindler’s List).

Holmes & Watson features several locations around The Historic Dockyard Chatham. The interior of the Tarred Yarn Store was transformed into a bar tavern, the interior of the Ropery played the role of a Boxing Club, while the streets around the Ropery and Anchor Wharf stood in as London streets and docks. Some external scenes were also filmed around Officers Terrace.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham has been used in an array of productions such as Mr. Holmes (2015), Partners in Crime (2015), and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2014).

Holmes & Watson will be released in UK cinemas on Wednesday 26^th December 2018.

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

The Lost Commando Raid (2018)

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Kent Film Office

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 14^th December 2018 at 7.30pm on BBC South East.

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

Danny Boyle: Pages of the Sea this Remembrance Sunday (2018)

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Kent Film Office

Director Danny Boyle's programme poster for Pages of the Sea- image of soldier in the sand with the sea washing up against it.

Danny Boyle: Pages of the Sea ©14-18 NOW

On 11 November 2018, communities will gather on beaches across the UK to say thank you and goodbye to the millions of men and women who left our shores during WWI. In Pages of the Sea, film-maker Danny Boyle invites you to join him in marking the 100 years anniversary of Armistice and the end of the war.

Director of the London Olympics Opening Ceremony, Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire 2008, Shallow Grave 1994) announced his new project from the Sunny Sands in Folkestone, where approximately 10 million men and women departed during the First World War, many never to return. The event will take place between dawn and 10.45am on November 11^th 2018 and the public are invited to gather on beaches across the UK for an informal nationwide gesture of remembrance.

Speaking to Kent Online, Danny Boyle said, “You can stand here on the beach in Folkestone and imagine what they were all feeling and imagining as they were getting ready to leave and thinking about what they were facing.”

Image of Danny Boyle smiling at the camera in a white shirt on Sunny Sands beach in Folkestone, sea and path can be seen in background

Filmmaker Danny Boyle © 14-18 NOW

Various events will be taking place on the beach. A portrait of Wilfred Owen will emerge from the sands, and as the tide rises, it will be washed away, and a moment will be taken to say a collective goodbye. Carol Ann Duffy has written a poem especially for the moment – The Wound in Time. The public is also invited to explore an online gallery of portraits of some of the men and women who served in the First World War.

The event will be filmed live on Sunday 11^th November at 10.45am.

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

Peterloo (2018)

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Kent Film Office

Various actors in film 'Peterloo' standing on a stage, surrounded by a cheering crowd

Peterloo 2018 ©IMDb

Writer / Director: Mike Leigh
Starring: Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake, Pearce Quigley
Production Company: BFI Film Fund
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham and St Mary’s Marshes

Oscar nominated filmmaker Mike Leigh (Mr Turner) portrays one of England’s bloodiest episodes, the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. Government guards charged and attacked a peaceful protest held by 80,000 people in Manchester demanding democratic reform.

Peterloo (2018) stars Rory Kinnear (Spectre, The Imitation Game) as Henry Hunt, Maxine Peake (The Theory of Everything, The Village) as Nellie, Pearce Quigley (The Rovers) as Joshua.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a well-known film location in Kent and has been used on many projects. Production used the Tarred Yarn Store and the exterior of the Ropery to double as a Cotton Mill in Manchester.

With its Victorian and Georgian architecture, the Dockyards provides many varied locations and has also appeared in Victoria and Abdul (2017), Mr Turner (2014) and Downton Abbey (2013) among others.

St Mary’s Marshes on the Isle of Grain appears in a short scene at the beginning of the film, a lonely figure walking along the marshes. The marshes are on the Isle of Grain, between the River Thames and the River Medway. The Medway area has been used in various TV Series and films such as Black Sea (2014).

The film will be released in the UK on 2^nd November 2018.

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

Quacks (2017)

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Kent Film Office

Group of Quack characters in Victorian attire standing around operating table looking forward

Quacks (C) Lucky Giant – Photographer: Todd Antony

Writer: James Wood

Director: Andy De Emmony

Starring: Rory Kinnear, Mathew Baynton, Tom Basden, Lydia Leonard, Rupert Everett

Production Company: Lucky Giant

Kent locations used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Quacks is a new six-part BBC Two comedy series and follows William, a young psychiatrist, (Mathew Baynton), Robert, an egotistical surgeon (Rory Kinnear), and John, a hedonistic anaesthetist (Tom Basden) and their comedic misadventures during the early days of modern medical science in the 1840s.

The impressive ensemble cast includes Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, Quantum of Solace, The Imitation Game), Mathew Baynton (Peep Show, The Wrong Mans, You, Me and the Apocalypse) Tom Basden (Plebs, Star Stories) and Lydia Leonard (Da Vinci’s Demons, Whitechapel), with a guest performance by Rupert Everett (Stardust, St. Trinian’s, The Musketeers) as Dr. Hendrick.

Three Quack characters sitting at bar table looking at camera

Quacks (C) Lucky Giant – Photographer: Mark Johnson

The highly popular Historic Chatham Dockyard, Kent doubled as streets of Victorian London. It was also used as the location of the market place, the apothecary and bareknuckle boxing fight featured in the series.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham has previously been used as a filming location for a vast range of productions such as Close to the Enemy (2016), Mr. Holmes (2015), and Arthur & George (2015) with the over a hundred Georgian and Victorian buildings and cobbled streets making it a popular choice.

The new series of Quacks starts on Tuesday 15^th August on BBC Two at 10pm.

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

Wonder Woman (2017)

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Kent Film Office

GAL GADOT as Diana standing on beach with other Amazonian women next to her.

Writers: Allan Heinberg, Geoff Johns

Director: Patty Jenkins

Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen

Production Companies: DC Films, Warner Bros, RatPac Entertainment, Atlas Entertainment, Wanda Picture, Cruel and Unusual Films

Kent Locations Used: Lower Halstow

Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) standing next to each other facing the camera

Wonder Woman is an upcoming DC superhero film which follows Amazonian Princess, Diana (Gal Gadot), who leaves her home after an American pilot crashes on the island and tells her about the ongoing world war.

The film is written by Allan Heinberg (Grey’s Anatomy, Sex and the City) and Geoff Johns (The Flash, Arrow) and directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster, The Killing). Wonder Woman stars Gal Gadot (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Fast & Furious), Chris Pine (Star Trek, Into the Woods), Robin Wright (The Princess Bride, House of Cards) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator, One Hour Photo).

The major production visited the small Kent village of Lower Halstow where the estuary doubled as a Belgian Creek for a scene in which Diana arrives on a sailboat to be delivered to the war front.

Lower Halstow is located in the Swale district of Kent on the banks of the Medway Estuary. The rural villages in Swale have often been used as filming locations for visiting productions. Wonder Woman was filmed near Stangate Creek which lies on the River Medway and is famous for Turner’s watercolours of English rivers. Other productions that have filmed at Stangate Creek are Mr Turner (2014), Great Expectations (2012) and Canterbury Tales- The Man of Laws’ Tale (2003).

Wonder Woman was released in cinemas on 1^st June 2017.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission