James Hawes

The Amateur (2025)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Rami Malek as Charles Heller standing on a bridge. He is wearing a black trench coat and is looking over his shoulder. At the bottom of the image in glowing blue text is written ‘The Amateur. Don’t underestimate him.’

The Amateur (2025) Poster © Disney

Director: James Hawes
Starring: Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson
Production Company: 20th Century Studios, Hutch Parker Entertainment, Seed Productions
Kent Locations Used: Home Farm

The Amateur (2025) is an American thriller film following CIA cryptographer Charles Heller who, upon losing his wife in a terrorist attack, takes justice into his own hands and embarks on a one-man mission to hunt down his wife’s killers.

Directed by James Hawes (Merlin (2008), Black Mirror: Season 5 – Smithereens (2019)), the film stars Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody, Mr. Robot) as Charles Heller, Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix, Contagion) as Henderson and Rachel Brosnahan (House of Cards, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Sarah, with Caitríona Balfe (Belfast, Outlander), Jon Bernthal (The Wolf of Wall Street, King Richard), Holt McCallany (Mindhunter, Fight Club) and Julianne Nicholson (August: Osage County, Blonde) in supporting roles.

Production visited Kent to film at Home Farm in Swale, which doubles for Charles and Sarah Heller’s house in Virginia, USA.

Situated in Swale, Home Farm is a colonial style weatherboarded villa, with veranda’s overlooking the countryside. Inside, rooms are decorated in a vintage chic style with reclaimed wood floors and chateau doors. The property is particularly popular for photoshoots but has also recently featured in Black Mirror: Season 6 – Beyond the Sea (2023), Love Again (2023) and The Unfamiliar (2020).

The Amateur (2025) was released in cinemas on Friday 11th April 2025 and is now available to stream on Disney+.

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

Merlin (2008)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Bradley James and Colin Morgan staring at the camera, colin is holding a sword above his shoulders

Arthur and Merlin played by Bradley James and Colin Morgan © BBC

Director: James Hawes

Writer: Julian Jones

Production Company: Shine

Kent Filming Location: Penshurst Place, Chislehurst Caves

A new prime time drama set in medieval England about the legendary wizard Merlin is due to be screened on BBC One this Autumn!

The programme sees Merlin as a young man at Uther’s Court, where magic is outlawed. Working as Arthur’s manservant, Merlin is forced to keep his magical skills secret.

The 13 part series boasts an impressive cast including Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave), Michelle Ryan (Bionic Woman), Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Santiago Cabrera (Heroes)

Katie McGrath in a blue dress standing in front of a stone window and walls

Katie McGrath as Morgana in Merlin © BBC

Film set inside Penshurst Place - three rows of wooden tables in a large hall, filming equipment and crew surround them

Filming of Merlin at Penshurst Place © Kent Film Office
Anthony Head leaning against a table towards the camera, red and black flags hang behind him

© BBC

 Richard Wilson standing in front of a table full of books with a window besides him, candles are in the camera in front of him

© BBC

Merlin was filmed mostly in a studio with Penshurst Place one of only three locations chosen to film on location where the production company Shine visited the unique Baron’s Hall with it’s awe-inspiring height and courtly atmosphere.

Chislehurst Caves features in episode 3, series one for underground scenes where Arthur and Merlin battle the water beast.

Penshurst Place is a beautiful medieval estate with a history spanning nearly 700 years and has been seen on screen for filming projects including The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and The Gathering (2003).

Season 5 aired on BBC 1 on Saturday nights from February 2008.

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