Julian Fellowes

Belgravia (2020)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The cast of Belgravia standing in a row wearing period costumes in front of a brown backdrop.

Belgravia (2020) Episode One © ITV

Creator / Writer: Julian Fellowes
Directors: John Alexander
Starring: Tamsin Greig, Alice Eve, Philip Glenister
Production Company: Carnival Film and Television
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Chatham Dockyard

New ITV drama Belgravia (2020), based on a book by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Gosford Park), is a story of the secrets and scandals amongst the upper echelon of London society in the 19th Century.

The six part series stars Tamsin Greig (Elementary, Harriet Walter (The Spanish Princess)), Alice Eve (Iron Fist) and Philip Glenister (Living the Dream) and the story begins at a legendary ball hosted by the Duchess of Richmond on the fateful evening of the Battle of Waterloo. This sets in motion a series of events that will have consequences for decades to come as secrets unravel behind the porticoed doors of London’s grandest postcode.

The Executive Producer is Gareth Neame (Downton Abbey) and Director is John Alexander (Jamestown).

Production visited The Historic Chatham Dockyard and filmed on Anchor Wharf quayside, the Tarred Yarn Store as a Pimm’s Chop House and the streets around the Ropery to stand in for both a London market and the streets around Girton’s Mill.

The Historic Chatham Dockyard is a historic tourist attraction on the site of a former Royal Naval Dockyard and has been the location for several recent period dramas including Pennyworth (2019) and World On Fire Series 1 (2019).

Belgravia begins on ITV on Sunday 15th March 2020 at 9pm.

 

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

Downton Abbey (2010)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Downton Abbey series 1 DVD cover - the cast standing in front of the grand house. Downton Abbey is written on top

Downton Abbey series 1 DVD cover © ITV Studios, Carnival Films, Masterpiece, NBC Universal, WGBH Boston

Starring: Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Brendan Coyle, Elizabeth McGovern

Production company: ITV Studios, Carnival Films, Masterpiece, NBC Universal, WGBH Boston

Kent Locations:  Kent & East Sussex Railway 

Downton Abbey is an ITV period drama charting the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in early 20th Century Britain.

Created by Julian Fellowes (Vanity Fair, ITV’s Titanic), the series stars a host of acting talent including Maggie Smith (Room with a View, Gosford Park), Hugh Bonneville(Tomorrow Never Dies, Notting Hill), Michelle Dockery (Anna Karenina, Hanna), Brendan Coyle (The Raven, The Jacket), and Elizabeth McGovern (Once Upon a Time In America, The Handmaid’s Tale).

Downton Abbey Screenshot - train going through the countryside past trees and water

Downton Abbey Screenshot © ITV Studios, Carnival Films, Masterpiece, NBC Universal, WGBH Boston

The opening shot of Downton Abbey series one, episode one is a steam train going through the countryside and was filmed at Kent & East Sussex Railway.

Kent & East Sussex Railway is a ten and a half mile rural light railway from Tenterden to East Sussex. Kent & East Sussex Railway has previously featured in film and TV productions including Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies (2016), Mapp and Lucia (2014) and Last Passenger (2013).

Series 1 of Downton Abbey was shown from September 2010 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

 

Vanity Fair (2005)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

Vanity Fair Film Poster- close up of reese witherspoon's face, with her hand covering her eyes. Vanity Fair written in white underneath

Vanity Fair Film Poster © Focus Features

Director: Mira Nair

Writer: William Makepeace Thackeray (screenplay) Matthew Faulk, Julian Fellowes, Mark Skeet (novel)

Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Rhys Ifans, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne

Production Company: Focus Features, Tempesta Films, Granada Film Productions, Inside Track Films, Mirabai Films, Cine Mosaic

Kent Filming Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The film, an adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray novel, follows the fortunes of Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon), an ambitious woman living in the 19th century. An orphan, she leaves her home to become a governess and has a keen interest in advancing herself.

Constantly casting her eye over eligible men with handsome fortunes, her endeavours are constantly met with society’s disdain. The film follows her life over 20 years through her trials, wars and adventures. Becky is determined to make her way in the world and her determination results in some disastrous consequences for herself and others.

Mira Nair (New York, I Love You Monsoon Wedding) directs the film which is adapted by Matthew Faulk (Morlang, Hannibal), Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Gosford Park), Mark Skeet (Jason and the Argonauts, Hannibal).

Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line, Wild) stars alongside Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (Match Point, Dracula), Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Amazing Spider-Man), Bob Hoskins (Snow White and the Huntsman, Hook), Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge!, Cloud Atlas) and Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects, Ghost Ship).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham, offered up its Old Paint Store to the production, once again providing the perfect film location.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is set over 80 acres and contains over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings. It is a popular filming location and has been  used for productions such as Muppets Most Wanted (2014), Call the Midwife (2012-2014) and  Sherlock Holmes  (2009).

Vanity Fair was released in January 2005 in the UK and is now available to buy on DVD.

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