Metropolitan Police Training Ground

Babylon (2014)

Posted on 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 13th November 2014 at 22:00.

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

Incendiary (2008)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Ewan McGregor getting out of a black car with people in a smokey background behind him

Ewan McGregor in Incendiary © Optimum Releasing

Writer/Director: Sharon Maguire

Stars: Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams, Matthew Macfadyen, Sidney Johnston

Production Company: Aramid Entertainment Fund ,Archer Street Productions ,Capitol Films ,Film4 ,Incendiary ,Sneak Preview Films,UK Film Council, Wild Bear Films

Kent Filming Locations: Metropolitan Police Training Ground, Gravesend

Incendiary is the heartbreaking story of a young wife and mother whose family falls victim to a terrorist attack when a bomb explodes during a football match. Watching the horrific events unfold before her eyes on TV, her feelings of are intensified by guilt, because at the time of the blast she was with another man. Anguished, she rejects her lover and seeks comfort from the officer investigating the incident.

Adapted from Chris Cleave’s controversial novel, Incendiary caused furore at the time of its release: appearing in bookshops only a week after the 7/7 attacks in London, the story seemed chillingly close to reality, causing major retailers to pull their marketing campaigns for the novel.

Michelle Williams and Sidney Johnson running on the beach

Michelle Williams and Sidney Johnson © Optimum Releasing

The film visited the Metropolitan Police training facilities near Gravesend to shoot the scenes under the football stadium, after the bomb has exploded.

Incendiary was released in cinemas in October 2008 and is now available on DVD.

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