Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

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 14th 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 18th January 2019.

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


Strike – The Cuckoo’s Calling/The Silkworm (2017)

Cormoran Strike (TOM BURKE) walking down street with hands in pockets

Strike – Cormoran Strike (TOM BURKE) – (C) Bronte Films – Photographer: Steffan Hill

Writer: Ben Richards (The Cuckoo’s Calling)

Director: Michael Keillor, Kieron Hawkes, Charles Sturridge

Starring: Tom Burke, Holliday Grainger, Kerr Logan

Cormoran Strike (TOM BURKE), Robin Ellacott (HOLLIDAY GRAINGER) standing on bridge looking at camera

Strike – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Cormoran Strike (TOM BURKE), Robin Ellacott (HOLLIDAY GRAINGER) – (C) Bronte Film & TV Ltd – Photographer: Steffan Hill

Production Company: BBC, Bronte Film and TV in association with HBO

Kent Locations Used: Penshurst Place, Sevenoaks

Strike – The Cuckoo’s Calling is a brand new seven part BBC drama based on the best-selling detective series written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. There are the first of three adaptations of the respective novels The Cuckoo’s Calling, The Silkworm and Career of Evil.

Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke), a war veteran turned private detective works and lives in his tiny office in London’s Denmark Street. In The Cuckoo’s calling, business is not great for Cormoran when Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger) is mistakenly sent to assist him with his paperwork just as super model Lula Landry (Elarica Johnson ) supposedly takes her own life by jumping from a Mayfair balcony.

Following his investigation of the Lula Landry case, The Silkworm takes up the story when Strike is tasked by Leonora Quine (Monica Dolan) to locate her husband, the notorious writer Owen Quine, who has disappeared without a trace.

The Cuckoo’s calling was adapted by Ben Richards (Outcasts, Spooks) and Tom Edge (Lovesick, The Crown) and directed by Michael Keillor. The cast is led by Tom Burke (Only God Forgives, Third Star) and Holliday Grainger (Cinderella, The Finest Hours) with support from Kerr Logan (Game of Thrones, London Irish) as Matthew Cunliffe.

The production filmed at Penshurst Place as well as in a private residence in Sevenoaks.

Lady Bristow (SIAN PHILLIPS) lying on sofa talking to John Bristow (LEO BILL),

Strike – The Cuckoo’s Calling – John Bristow (LEO BILL), Lady Bristow (SIAN PHILLIPS) – (C) Bronte Film & TV Ltd

Penshurst Place is a 14th Century Manor House with preserved interiors, including the unique medieval Baron’s Hall as well as 11 acres of Elizabethan walled gardens. The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses (2016), Wolf Hall (2015) and Merlin have previously filmed at Penshurst Place.

Sevenoaks is a historic town in West Kent just outside the gates to Knole Park. It is the home of Sevenoaks School which supported the production and has one of the oldest lying foundations in England, laid down by William Sevenokes in 1432. The town has previously featured in Future Tense: The Story of H.G. Wells (2016).

 

Strike – The Cuckoo’s Calling will screen on BBC One on Sunday August 27th & Monday 28th August at 9pm, concluding the following Sunday 3rd September.

The Silkworm will follow with two episodes on 10th and 17th September.

Career of Evil, the final, two-part instalment is due to be release in the New Year.

 

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

 


The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses (2016)

 

(HUGH BONNEVILLE), Margaret (SOPHIE OKONEDO), Richard III (BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH), Cecily (JUDI DENCH), Henry VI (TOM STURRIDGE) staring into the camera with trees behind them

The Hollow Crown: The Wars Of The Roses – Gloucester (HUGH BONNEVILLE), Margaret (SOPHIE OKONEDO), Richard III (BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH), Cecily (JUDI DENCH), Henry VI (TOM STURRIDGE) © BBC/Carnival Film & Television Ltd/Robert Viglasky

Director: Dominic Cooke

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Sturridge, Judi Dench, Jeremy Irons, Keeley Hawes, Sophie Okonedo, John Mackay, Stanley Townsend, Ben Daniels

Production Companies: Neal Street Productions, NBCUniversal, WNET

Kent Locations Used: Leeds Castle, Dover Castle, Penshurst Place

The Hollow Crown returns to BBC Two with a second series, The Wars of the Roses that include adaptations of three more historic plays by Shakespeare – Henry VI Part 1 & 2 and Richard III. The series is part of the BBC’s Shakespeare Season commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes, The Imitation Game) stars as Richard III and Tom Sturridge (The Boat That Rocked, Far from the Madding Crowd) plays Henry VI.

The supporting cast includes a wealth of talented actors, including Judi Dench (Philomena, Skyfall), Jeremy Irons (Eragon, The Lion King), Keeley Hawes (Doctor Who, Upstairs Downstairs), Sophie Okonedo (Doctor Who, Criminal Justice), John Mackay (Doc Martin, Casualty), Stanley Townsend (Cars, Ripper Street) and Ben Daniels (Locke, Madaline).

The first series aired in 2012 and featured Richard II, Henry IV, Part I and 2 and Henry V. The latter of which was also partly filmed in Kent; at Penshurst Place and Squerryes Court.

The Hollow Crown The Wars of the Roses (2016) Benedict Cumberbatch as Richard II fighting in battle on a field

The Hollow Crown The Wars Of The Roses © BBC/Carnival Film & Television Ltd/Robert Viglasky

The second series of The Hollow Crown filmed in Kent where Leeds Castle‘s Barbican and moat to depict scenes at the Tower of London, Penshurst Place doubled as the exterior of the Palace of Westminster’s Great Gates and Dover Castle features as The Tower of London as well as Anjou’s Palace and Joan’s Chambers in Rouen in Part 1 and a French Prison and St Alban’s Chapel and Market Place in Part 2.

Rich in history, Leeds Castle is set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland and formal gardens. The castle has opened its doors to a number of film productions over the years including Gadget Man (2014), Henry VIII (2003) and Lady Jane (1987).

Dover Castle is one of the most iconic of all the English fortresses, guarding the gateway to the realm for nine centuries. With its beautiful medieval interior, secret wartime tunnels and set overlooking the English Channel, Dover Castle is a popular film location having previously welcomed productions such as Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Into the Woods (2015) and To Kill a King (2003).

Penshurst Place is a 14th Century Manor House with preserved interiors, including the unique medieval Baron’s Hall as well as 11 acres of Elizabethan walled gardens. Wolf Hall (2015), Merlin (2008) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) have previously filmed at Penshurst Place.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses also features in the Kent Film Office Tudor(ish) Trail which celebrates Kent’s Tudor history and film connections.

Don’t miss The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses:

Henry VI part 1 will air on Saturday 7th May 2016 on BBC Two at 21:00.

Henry VI part 2 will air on Saturday 14th May 2016  on BBC Two at 21:00.

Richard III will air on Saturday 14th May 2016  on BBC Two at 21:00.

 

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

 


Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015)

Terry Wogan sat outside on a table with food in front of him, Mason McQueen is stood up next to him with his arm on his shoulder. Countryside can be seen in the background.

(L-R) Mason McQueen, Terry Wogan © BBC/Curve Media Ltd

Production Company: Curve Media

Kent Locations Used: Canterbury – Cathedral, The Goods Shed and Kent County Cricket ground, Whitstable, Tunbridge Wells – Penshurst Place, The Pantiles, Rosemary Shrager’s Cookery School,  Chiddingstone

Television royalty, Sir Terry Wogan, and London Cabbie, Mason McQueen (A Cabbie Abroad), join forces to embark on the foodie’s ultimate adventure around the UK. Along the way, they check out the weird and wonderful British cuisine and look at how tastes have changed.

The 20 part series has taken its inspiration from the 1963 book, British Bouquet: An Epicurean Tour of Britain, by Samuel Chamberlain. Wogan and McQueen set off in Chamberlain’s footstep in search of the great British foods of today and exploring their social history. Sampling the foods mentioned in the book, they compare ‘then and now’ and piece together their evolution from all the knowledge preserved by the local people they meet.

Episode five focuses on Canterbury when the pair visit Canterbury Cathedral, The Goods Shed and Kent County Cricket ground. They also head to Whitstable, to sample local Oysters and Whelks and soak up the atmosphere of the working harbour and fishery before heading to The Sportsman, Seasalter’s local gastropub with a Michelin Star.

Episode nine sees the duo visit the historic town of Chiddingstone, where they sample the local Kentish ales at Larkins Brewery and The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells and Rosemary Shrager’s Cookery School before heading to Penshurst Place.

Mason McQueen, Rosemary Shrager, Terry Wogan at Rosemary's cooking school behind a counter of food

L-R – Mason McQueen, Rosemary Shrager, Terry Wogan at Rosemary’s cooking school © BBC/Curve Media Ltd

Mason McQueen, Philip Sidney and Terry Wogan at Penshurst Place sat on a round table with food

Mason McQueen, Philip Sidney and Terry Wogan at Penshurst Place © BBC/Curve Media Ltd

Canterbury is a vibrant City which boasts a Cathedral, busy shopping areas, parks and open spaces. Nearby is the seaside town of Whitstable which has a strong arts and culture scene and offers a harbour, shingle beach and busy high street.  The area has previously featured on productions such A Canterbury Tale (1944).

Chiddingstone is a one-street Tudor village and has previously been used as a film location by productions such as A Room With A View (1986) and Elizabeth R (1971).

Tunbridge Wells is a large town situated in West Kent with a busy town centre and a period shopping area, The Pantiles,  offering a fascinating variety of small specialist shops, antique shops, open-air cafés, restaurants and bars. Previous productions that have been filmed in Tunbridge Wells include Britain’s Best Bakery (2012).

Penshurst Place is a Medieval and Tudor style manor house set in gorgeous parkland with formal Elizabethan gardens. Penshurst Place is a popular film location, having previously welcomed productions such as Wolf Hall (2015), The Great Fire (2014) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Catch the Canterbury episode on Friday 4th September on BBC Two at 18:30 and the Tunbridge Wells episode on Thursday 10th September on BBC Two at 18:30.

 

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


Armada: 12 Days to Save England (2015)

Anita Dobson as Queen Elizabeth I sitting in a large dark room with her hand on a globe

Anita Dobson as Queen Elizabeth I – ©BBC

 

Presenter: Dan Snow

Historical Consultant: Geoffrey Parker

Starring: Anita Dobson

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations Used: Penshurst Place and Gardens

Armada: 12 Days to Save England is three part docudrama focusing on Queen Elizabeth I and the attack of the Spanish Armada during the summer of 1588, when England was the closest it’s ever been to being conquered.

The show combines CGI and dramatic reconstruction with discussions from leading historians. The show hopes to bring a unique insight to the dramatic historical event, when King Philip II of Spain ordered the invasion of England. The programme benefits from historical analysis of previously unseen letters written by Spanish commanders regarding their military decisions on board the ships.

For four days in December 2014, the production team visited Penshurst Place, which they described as the ‘perfect location,’ to film in a variety of rooms, including The Crypt, Sunderland Room and the Italian Gardens.  These areas were used as Queen Elizabeth’s bedchamber, as well as King Philip’s office, bedroom and chapel. In addition, a prison cell was set up at the location.

Previously, Penshurst Place has also welcomed the productions of Wolf Hall (2015), The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Don’t miss episode 2 of Armada: 12 Days to Save England which airs on Sunday 31st May 2015 at 9.00pm on BBC2.

 

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


Wolf Hall (2015)

Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn and Damian Lewis as King Henry Eighth on the Wolf Hall set

Anne Boleyn (CLAIRE FOY), King Henry VIII (DAMIAN LEWIS), © BBC Company Productions Ltd

Writer: Peter Straughan, Hilary Mantel (novel)

Director: Peter Kosminsky

Starring: Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, Claire Foy, Mark Gatiss, Jonathan Pryce

Production company: Company Pictures

Kent locations: Penshurst Place, Dover Castle

This January, BBC Two airs new British drama Wolf Hall, charting the meteoric rise of Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor Court, from his lowly start as a blacksmith’s son to becoming Henry VIII’s closest advisor.

The six part series is based on Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning novels, Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies and the screenplay was written by Oscar-nominated Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Frank).

BAFTA-winning Peter Kosminsky (Britz, The Promise) directs the miniseries which boasts a host of acting talent, such as Mark Rylance (Britz, Hamlet), Damian Lewis (Homeland, Romeo and Juliet), Claire Foy (Season of the Witch, Crossbones), Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Game of Thrones) and Jonathan Pryce (Brazil, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest).

Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and cast members behind the scenes on Wolf Hall being filmed by camera crew on a pathway

Thomas Cromwell (MARK RYLANCE) ©BBCCompany Productions Ltd

In May 2014, the production team visited Penshurst Place to film at a variety of rooms to double for York Place and Whitehall. In July 2014, the production returned to Kent, this time filming at Dover Castle which doubled as The Tower of London for the execution of Anne Boleyn scenes.

Penshurst Place is a Medieval and Tudor fortified style manor house set in gorgeous parkland in West Kent and boasts formal Elizabethan gardens. Penshurst Place is a popular film location, having previously welcomed productions such as The Great Fire (2014), The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Dover Castle is a stunning medieval castle situated on the White Cliffs of Dover, overlooking the English Channel. Dover Castle has previously been used for filming by a variety of productions including Into The Woods (2015), Poirot “The Clocks” (2009) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

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

Wolf Hall aired on BBC Two from Wednesday 21st January 2015 at 21:00 and is now available for DVD and online purchase.

 

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


The Great Fire (2014)

CHARLES DANCE as Denton, ROSE LESLIE as Sarah, ANDREW BUCHAN as Thomas, JACK HUSTON as The King, DANIEL MAYS as Pepys and PERDITA WEEKS as Elizabeth all standing in a row with a burning village behind them

The Great Fire L-R Sarah (ROSE LESLIE), Charles II (JACK HUSTON), Sam Pepys (DANIEL MAYS), Thomas Farriner (ANDREW BUCHAN), Lord Denton (CHARLES DANCE) © Ecosse Films/ITV

Writer: Tom Bradby

Starring: Andrew Buchan, Rose Leslie, Charles Dance, Jack Huston, Daniel Mays

Production company: Ecosse Films

Kent Locations: Penshurst Place and Cobham Hall

The Great Fire is a new four part ITV drama inspired by the historical events of 1666, where the capital was devastated by fire.

Set against the decadent backdrop of King Charles II’s Court, the drama focuses on the circumstances which led to the catastrophic fire. It looks at Thomas Farriner’s family life at the bakery in Pudding Lane where the fire started the King’s extravagant lifestyle, and diarist Samuel Pepys, whose recordings chronicled the turbulent Regency period.

The series was written by British journalist and novelist Tom Bradby and stars a host of acting talent including Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch, Cranford), Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, Alien 3), Jack Huston (American Hustle, Boardwalk Empire) and Daniel Mays (Mr Biggs, Public Enemies).

Jack Huston as Pepys in a garden with guards in a row against the hedges behind him

Jack Huston as Pepys at Penshurst Place Gardens © Ecosse Films/ITV

The Great Fire team visited Kent and filmed at Penshurst Place, doubling as King Charles II’s Court and Cobham Hall , which was used to represent Arundel House as well as various London streets.

Penshurst Place is a Medieval and Tudor fortified style manor house set in gorgeous parkland and boasts formal Elizabethan gardens. A popular film location, Penshurst Place has previously hosted productions such as The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Anne of the Thousand Days (1969).

Cobham Hall is a private school near to Gravesend located in 150 acres of Grade II listed parkland and has a stunning ball room, library, cobbled courtyards, formal gardens, classrooms as well as sports facilities, including a swimming pool. Cobham Hall has been used as a film location by Wild Child (2008) and Bleak House (2005).

Don’t miss The Great Fire which starts on Thursday 16th October 2014 at 21:00 on ITV1.

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

 


The Hollow Crown: Henry V (2012)

Henry V riding on a white horse next to a castle. Three other characters are on horses behind him.

Henry V – Duke of York (Paterson Joseph), Earl of Salisbury (Richard Clothier), Henry V (Tom Hiddleston) and Earl of Westmoreland (James Laurenson) © BBC/Neal Street Productions/Nick Briggs

Director: Thea Sharrock

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Geraldine Chaplin, Paul Freeman, Richard Griffiths, John Hurt

Production company: Neal Street Productions, NBCUniversal, WNET

Kent locations used: Squerryes Court, Penshurst Place

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes  (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) produced The Hollow Crown, four film adaptations of Shakespeare’s best-loved history plays; Richard II, Henry IV (Part I & 2) and Henry V screening on BBC this summer as part of the Shakespeare Unlocked Season.

The Hollow Crown series star many familiar faces including Ben Whishaw (Criminal Justice) as Richard II, James Purefoy (Solomon Kane) as Thomas Mowbray, Rory Kinnear (Quantum of Solace) as Henry Bolingbroke and Tom Hiddleston (Thor, Warhorse) as Henry V.

Henry V is directed by Thea Sharrock (Me Before You, Call the Midwife) and along Tom Hiddleston stars Geraldine Chaplin (The Impossible, Talk to Her), Paul Freeman (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hot Fuzz), Richard Griffiths (Sleepy Hollow, Harry Potter series) and John Hurt (V for Vendetta, Alien).

Featuring as part of the BBC’s Shakespeare season for the London 2012 Festival and Cultural Olympiad, Henry V is the final film of the series and charts Henry V campaign against France and their leader Herald Montjoy.

Earl of Salisbury (Richard Clothier) fighting in a battle in a field

Earl of Salisbury (Richard Clothier) © BBC/Neal Street Productions/Nick Briggs

Kent features strongly in Henry V: No Surrender, as the Battle of Agincourt was staged in the grounds of Squerryes Court, where Henry V leads his soldiers to battle. The crew also visited Penshurst Place, with the exterior doubling for The Palace of Westminster and the interior of the Baron’s Hall as the French Palace where Herald Montjoy resided.

It is not the first time Squerryes Court has been on the screen, the location was used for Emma Wooshouse’s home in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s famous novel Emma (2009),
The Boat that Rocked (2009) and Foyle’s War – The German Woman (2002). The estate is popular with productions as it boasts a grand 17th Century manor house with 20 acres of grounds.

Penshurst Place is a Medieval and Tudor fortified style manor house set in parkland and featuring Elizabethan formal gardens. It is a popular filming location and previous productions filmed at Penshurst Place include Wolf Hall (2015), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Anne of a Thousand Days (1969).

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

 

The Hollow Crown series was shown from July 7th 2012 BBC Two and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

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


Merlin (2008)

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 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

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. 


The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Scarlett Johansson standing behind Natalie Portman, both looking out of the window in front of them

Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman as Mary and Anne Boleyn Photo Credit Alex Bailey © 2006 Universal Studios ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Director: Justin Chadwick

Writer: Peter Morgan

Starring: Scarlett Johansson,  Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, Kristin Scott Thomas, David Morrissey, Benedict Cumberbatch

Production Company: Columbia Pictures, Focus Features, BBC Films, Relativity Media, Ruby Films, Scott Rudin Productions
Kent Filming Locations: Knole House, Dover Castle, Penshurst Place
The screen adaptation of Philippa Gregory’s best selling novel The Other Boleyn Girl is a dramatic story of love, passion and ambition set in the cut-throat court of Henry VIII. Mary (Scarlett Johansson), considered the more beautiful sister, gains the young king’s (Eric Bana) attention and, though married, becomes his mistress. When it becomes politically adventageous, Mary is cast aside for her dazzling young sister Anne (Natalie Portman) and can only watch as Anne’s ruthless pursuit of the crown propels her towards her doom.

The Boleyn family had extensive connections with Kent; the family lived in Hever Castle while Henry VIII adored Knole. With this connection in mind, filming took place at three fantastic locations across Kent.

Filming in Kent began at Knole in Sevenoaks, a grand house set in a deer park that Henry VIII was so impressed with; he demanded that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer give it to him. In the film, Knole was the setting for many of the film’s London night scenes and the inner courtyard doubles for the entrance of Whitehall Palace where the grand arrivals and departures were staged.

 

Filming of The Other Boleyn Girl at Knole- courtyard of Knole filed with cast members and filming equipment

Filming of The Other Boleyn Girl at Knole © Photo Credit : Alex Bailey © 2006 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) in the Grounds of Penshurst Place walking away from a wooden door

Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) in the Grounds of Penshurst Place © Photo Credit : Alex Bailey © 2006 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

Behind the scenes at Dover Castle- queues of cast members entering the entrance to the castle along a concrete driveway. Cars and lorries are scattered along the side.

Behind the scenes at Dover Castle © Dover Castle

 

Behind the scenes at Penshurst Place- lighting equipment and stage set up against church wall

Behind the scenes at Penshurst Place © Penshurst Place

Production then moved to Penshurst Place near Tonbridge, which was also once owned by Henry VIII  and where the unspoiled estate and gardens still bring the Tudor era to life. The Baron’s Hall was transformed into the interiors of Whitehall Palace to film the scenes of Henry’s extravagant feast. The Tudor Gardens were also used for the scene where Anne (Natalie Portman) and the King (Eric Bana) talk about their relationship.

As England’s oldest fortress at the shortest sea crossing to Continental Europe, Dover Castle was a vital strategic centre in the Tudor era and able to provide the ideal setting for the final and climatic scenes in The Other Boleyn Girl. Dover Castle was transformed into the Tower of London for the execution scenes of George Boleyn (Jim Sturgess) and Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman).

Knole Park is nestled in a medieval deer-park .  The area has welcomed filming from productions such as Rush (2013) and Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides (2011).

Historic house Knole is set in a medieval deer-park in Sevenoaks. Now a National Trust property, it is over 500 years old and was once the palace of archbishops and royal property of the Tudor dynasty. Knole has previously featured in productions such as Great British Railway Journeys – Series 7 (2016), Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows (2011) and Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides (2011).

Medieval and Tudor style manor house, Penshurst Place is set in gorgeous parkland and boasts period rooms and formal Elizabethan gardens. Penshurst Place is a popular film location, having previously welcomed productions such as Wolf Hall (2015), The Great Fire (2014) and The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012)

Situated on the White Cliffs of Dover, overlooking the English Channel is the stunning medieval fortress – Dover Castle. A popular film location, Dover Castle has featured in Into the Woods (2015), Poirot “The Clocks” (2009) and Hamlet (1990).

To celebrate the cinematic release and the locations that were used in the film, the Kent Film Office and Kent Tourism Alliance in association with Universal, National Trust, English Heritage, Penshurst Place, Hever Castle and the Heart of Kent released a movie map in 2011 to highlight the Kent locations to the world! You can download your own The Other Boleyn Girl movie map and to find out more about the Kent Campaign at: https://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/kent-movie-map/austens-in-kent/

The Other Boleyn Girl features in the Kent Film Office Tudor(ish) Trail, released in May 2016, celebrating Kent’s Tudor history and film connections.

The film was released on 7th March 2008 and is now available on DVD.

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