Masterpiece

Churchill’s Secret (2016)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Churchill's Secret - Michael Gambon as Winston Churchill holding a cigar

Churchill’s Secret – Michael Gambon as Winston Churchill © ITV

Director: Charles Sturridge

Writer: Jonathan Smith (Novel), Stewart Harcourt (Adaption)

Starring: Michael Gambon, Lindsay Duncan, Romola Garai, Matthew Macfadyen, Daisy Lewis, Daisy Lewis, Rachael Stirling, Tara Fitzgerald

Production Company: Daybreak Pictures, Masterpiece

Kent Locations: Chartwell, Westerham

Set in 1953, ITV’s Churchill’s Secret is a feature length drama which tells the little known story of Winston Churchill’s (Michael Gambon) second time as Prime Minister when he suffered a life-threatening stroke, which is kept from the public.

Based on Jonathan Smith’s book, The Churchill Secret: KBO, the drama is told from the perspective of Churchill’s family, his doctor and young Nurse, Millie Appleyard (Romola Garai). Whilst his political peers plot his succession, family tensions surface when his long suffering wife, Clemmie (Lindsay Duncan) calls his children to visit him at his  Chartwell home in Kent, unsure if he will survive.

Michael Gambon (Harry Potter series, Gosford Park) plays Sir Winston Churchill with a supporting cast including Lindsay Duncan (Birdman, Alice in Wonderland), Romola Garai (The Hour, Emma), Matthew Macfadyen (Ripper Street, Anna Karenina), Daisy Lewis (Downton Abbey, Pusher), Rachael Stirling (Snow White and the Huntsman, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) and Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones, Legend).

The film is adapted by Stewart Harcourt (Treasure Island, Dracula) and directed by Charles Sturridge (Gulliver’s Travels, Lassie).

Chartwell was the real life Churchill family home from 1924 until Winston Churchill’s death in 1965 and was naturally chosen by the production to feature as the Churchill home. Exteriors of the house and garden were filmed on location at Chartwell, whilst the interiors were recreated at West London Film Studios.

Set in delightful gardens, Chartwell is a National Trust property in Westerham and the rooms remain much as they were when Churchill lived there. Chartwell has previously been used as a film location by productions such as Flog It! (2014) and The Gathering Storm (2002).

Churchill’s Secret will be shown on ITV1 on Sunday 28th February 2016 at 20:00.

 

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

 

Mr Selfridge Series 4 (2016)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
MR_SELFRIDGE - JEREMY PIVEN as Harry Selfridge, KATHERINE KELLY as Mae Rennard, SACHA DHAWAN as Jimmy and ZOE RICHARDS and EMMA HAMILTON as THE DOLLY SISTERS. All actors staring at the camera behind a black background. Mr selfridge is written in yellow

MR_SELFRIDGE – JEREMY PIVEN as Harry Selfridge, KATHERINE KELLY as Mae Rennard, SACHA DHAWAN as Jimmy and ZOE RICHARDS and EMMA HAMILTON as THE DOLLY SISTERS © ITV

Starring: Jeremy Piven, Katherine Kelly, Tom Goodman-Hill, Ron Cook, Amanda Abbington, Amy Beth Hayes, Trystan Gravelle, Sacha Dhawan

Production Companies: ITV Studios, Masterpiece

Kent locations used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kingsgate Bay

Popular ITV drama Mr Selfridge, inspired by the life of charismatic American retail entrepreneur, Harry Selfridge, returns to ITV for a fourth and final series.

Originally based on the novel ‘Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge’ by Lindy Woodhead, the new series is set in 1928, nearly a decade after the events of series three, as Harry Selfridge is enjoying the roaring 20’s at the pinnacle of his wealth and celebrity. Will Harry take a dramatic fall and fritter his money away in the glamourous casinos, or can he hold on the empire that he worked so hard to create?

Jeremy Piven (Entourage, Smokin’ Aces) takes the starring role of Harry Selfridge alongside a supporting cast of Katherine Kelly (Coronation Street), Tom Goodman-Hill (The Imitation Game, Everest), Ron Cook (Chocolat, Hot Fuzz), Amanda Abbington (After You’ve Gone, Sherlock), Amy Beth Hayes (Eva, Insoma), Trystan Gravelle (Anonymous, One Chance) and Sacha Dhawan (After Earth, The History Boys).

The Mr Selfridge team returned to The Historic Dockyard Chatham to film the exteriors of the Oxford Street store. They also filmed at Kingsgate Bay where two characters walk along the beach.

Set on the River Medway, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular film location offering Georgian and Victorian architecture, maritime environment, dry dock, cobbled streets, and industrial buildings. The Historic Dockyard Chatham has previously featured in productions such as Victor Frankenstein (2015), Jekyll and Hyde (2015) and Great Expectations (2012).

Kingsgate Bay is a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by chalk cliffs in Broadstairs. The Thanet area has welcomed filming from projects including The Lady in the Van (2015), Eastenders (2015) and Die Another Day (2002).

Don’t miss the final series of Mr Selfridge, which starts on Friday 8th January 2016 at 21:00 on ITV1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZWdSeLPCHE&feature=player_embedded

 

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

Mr Selfridge Series 2 (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Jeremy Piven as Harry Selfridge standing in front of a staircase in the corridor

Jeremy Piven as Harry Selfridge © ITV

Starring: Jeremy Piven, Katherine Kelly, Frances O’Connor, Aisling Loftus, Ron Cook, Amy Morgan, Aidan McArdle

Production Company: ITV Studios, Masterpiece

Kent locations used: The Historic Dockyard in Chatham

ITV’s drama Mr Selfridge charting the fortunes of the famous store returns for a second series and is set in 1914 with Selfridges celebrating its 5th anniversary of trading amid the threat of World War 1. 

Based on the novel ‘Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge’ by Lindy Woodhead,  the second series sees Sefridges preparing for challenging times with the onset of war  as well as the struggles between Harry Selfridge and his estranged wife, Rose.

Jeremy Piven (Entourage, RocknRolla, Old School) stars as Mr Selfridge, with a supporting cast including Katherine Kelly (Coronation Street), Frances O’Connor (A.I. Artificial Intelligence), Aisling Loftus (The Borrowers),  Ron Cook (The Diary of Anne Frank, Mrs Biggs), Amy Morgan (Baker Boys) and Aidan McArdle (Ella Enchanted, Jane Eyre). 

The production team returned to The Historic Dockyard in Chatham to film the exteriors of the Oxford Street store.  

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham is one of Britain’s leading maritime heritage destinations and is a popular filming location due to its varied Victorian and Georgian period architecture. It has been  used for productions such as Call the Midwife (2012-2014),  Sherlock Holmes  (2009) and Sherlock Holmes – Game of Shadows (2011).

Don’t miss the second series of Mr Selfridge which starts on Sunday 19th January 2014 at 21:00 on ITV1.

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

Downton Abbey (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates, Baby George and Di Botcher as Nanny West in a living room in front of a fire

Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates, Baby George and Di Botcher as Nanny West © ITV

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

Production Company:

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

Kent Locations:  The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Downton Abbey is the smash-hit ITV drama series about those who live in the grand Downton Abbey. The noble Crawley family and their servants both struggle through family difficulties and deal with the social and political influences on their lives.

Jim Carter as Carson - waiting on the family sat at the table

Jim Carter as Carson © ITV

Following on from the dramatic Christmas 2012 episode, the fourth series sees the family struggling to deal with tragedy, but when Lady Mary’s gives birth to a new generation bringing joy and hope, the family take a step into the Roaring Twenties. 

The ever popular series is created by Julian Fellowes (Vanity Fair, ITV’s Titanic) and boasts a spectacular cast of award winning actors, 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).

The Downton Abbey team visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham in February 2013 where they used the Tarred Yarn Store to double as the workhouse where Mr Grigg (Nicky Henson) works in episode 1 and in episode 2, streets at The Historic Dockyard Chatham were used for the scenes where Lady Rose MacClare (Lily James) is at the market with James Kent (Ed Speleers) watching her.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular film location due to its varied and interesting areas such as the cobbled streets, church and over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Previous productions that have shot here include Les Miserables (2013), Call the Midwife (2012), and The Golden Compass (2007).

Series 4 of Downton Abbey was shown from September 2013 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

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

Mr Selfridge (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

Mr Selfridge in the shop in front of the staircase. Other cast members are standing next to him.

Mr Selfridge © ITV

Production Company: ITV Studios, Masterpiece

Kent locations used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

A brand new ITV drama for 2013, Mr Selfridge is based on the novel ‘Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge’ by Lindy Woodhead and tells the true story of American Harry Gordon Selfridge who transformed the world of retail after opening the first ever Selfridges store in London in 1909.

The 10-part series is set in a time when women began to explore a new sense of personal freedom, something Harry Selfridge sets out to capitalize on when opening a lavish department store on London’s famous Oxford Street, attempting to ‘make shopping as thrilling as sex’.

Jeremy Piven as Mr Selfridge leaning over a desk with windows behind

Jeremy Piven as Mr Selfridge © ITV

Jeremy Piven (Entourage, RocknRolla, Old School), with a supporting cast of familiar faces, including Katherine Kelly (Coronation Street), Frances O’Connor (A.I. Artificial Intelligence) and Aisling Loftus (The Borrowers).  

The TV adaption was written by award-winning screenwriter Andrew Davies (Bleak House, Little Dorrit) and produced by Chrissy Skinns (Secret Diary of a Call Girl).  

The production came to the Historic Dockyard Chatham to film the exteriors of Selfridges Oxford Street store. Frances O’Connor, who plays Rose Selfridge, said: “The exterior set is down at Chatham in Kent and just looks like the outside of Selfridge’s. Then if you step a couple of feet one way you’re in the water of the docks. That’s the magic of filming. It really does look amazing.”

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Britain’s leading maritime heritage destinations and is a popular filming location being used for of Call the Midwife (2012),  Sherlock Holmes  (2009) and Sherlock Holmes – Game of Shadows (2011).

The first episode of Mr Selfridge will be shown on Sunday 6th January 2013 at 21:00 on ITV1. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLborDbtx3M

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. 

 

Elizabeth R (1971)

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Elizabeth R in costume and make up looking away from the camera

Elizabeth R © BBC

Starring: Glenda Jackson, Ronald Hines, Stephen Murray, Rachel Kempson, Robert Hardy, John Shrapnel
Production Company: BBC, Masterpiece
Kent Locations Used: Penshurst Place, Chiddingstone, St. John The Baptist Church, Penshurst

Elizabeth R (1971) is a six part BBC drama is about the life and tumultuous reign of Elizabeth I, including her rise to the throne, quest for a suitor and the challenges she faces with the threat of the Spanish Armada.

Starring in the lead role of Queen Elizabeth is Glenda Jackson (Sunday Bloody Sunday, Women in Love) supported by Ronald Hines (Young Winston, Not in Front of the Children), Stephen Murray (The Nun’s Story, The Magnet), Rachel Kempson (Out of Africa, Tom Jones), Robert Hardy (Sense and Sensibility, Little Dorrit) and John Shrapnel (Gladiator, Troy).

The series won five Emmy Awards, including Drama Series, New Series, Achievement in Costume Design and Glenda Jackson scooped the Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role prize, as well as Outstanding Single Performance for the episode “The Shadow In The Sun”.

The production filmed at Penshurst Place which doubled as the Queen’s castle grounds and featured in a variety of

Elizabeth R at Penshurst Place walking towards the stone building, two other women in costume follow behind

Screenshot of Elizabeth R ladies walking through the grounds of Penshurst Place

scenes in episode one and two. St. John The Baptist church in Penshurst also featured in episode 2 for the scenes where Lord Robert Dudley  waits at the church for Queen Elizabeth.

Nearby Chiddingstone village also features in the first two episodes of the series, for the scenes where Queen Elizabeth celebrates her rise to the throne.

Penshurst Place is set in 2,500 acres and boasts limestone exteriors as well as the 14th century house with medieval interiors, beautiful gardens and parkland. Penshurst Place is a popular film location, having been used for productions such as The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and The Princess Bride (1987).

Chiddingstone is a one-street Tudor village with its properties boasting half-timbered sides, gables and stone-hung red-tiled roofs. The village is owned by the National Trust to ensure its preservation and has previously been used for productions such as A Room With A View (1986).

Elizabeth R also features in the Kent Film Office Tudor(ish) Trail which celebrates Kent’s Tudor history and film connections.

Elizabeth R (1971) was first broadcast on BBC2 from Wednesday 17th February to Wednesday 24th March 1971 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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