Richard Ayoade

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Poison, The Rat Catcher & The Crown (2023)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar floats above the floor in a meditative position. He wears red pyjamas and is in a bedroom with wooden walls, wooden floor and several wooden tables.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) © Netflix

Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Rupert Friend, Ben Kingsley, Dev Patel, Richard Ayoade
Production Company: American Empirical Pictures, Netflix Studios
Kent Locations Used: Maidstone Studios, Powerhub

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Poison, The Rat Catcher and The Swan (2023) are a selection of short films based on The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl.

Directed by Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel), the films star Benedict Cumberbatch (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022), Doctor Strange (2016)), Ralph Fiennes (Holmes & Watson (2018), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)), Rupert Friend (The Death of Stalin, Hitman: Agent 47), Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Schindler’s List), Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, Lion) and Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd, Submarine).

The shorts were filmed at The Maidstone Studios almost in their entirety, with set and prop construction taking part in nearby Kent locations. The hospital set in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) was filmed at the nearby Powerhub.

Just 45 minutes from London, Maidstone Studios is the UK’s largest independent studios. They are classed as a regional studio facility and have been home to some of the industry’s best-loved television programmes over the years. Most recently, it played host to Season 2 of This Time With Alan Partridge (2021), Series 2 of The Split (2020) and Series 2 and 3 of Hetty Feather (2015-2020).

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Poison, The Rat Catcher and The Swan (2023) were released on Netflix on Wednesday 27th September 2023.

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

Gadget Man (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

Gadget Man Presenter Richard Ayoade in an orange suit and blue tie

Gadget Man Presenter Richard Ayoade © Channel 4/North One Television

Production company: North One Television

Kent Locations: House in Faversham, Wye National Nature Reserve, Leeds Castle, Teapot Island Maidstone

Channel 4’s Gadget Man returns as Richard Ayoade takes a look at the world of gadgets and how new technology can help to make everyday life a little bit easier.

In the third series, Richard finds gadgets that can help tasks such as cooking, shopping, moving house and even going out or staying in. Guest stars who help Richard test the latest technology offerings include Richard E Grant, Allison Steadman, Tim Vine and David Mitchell.

Richard Ayoade and Phill Jupitus sitting on chairs with gadgets on their legs

Richard Ayoade and Phill Jupitus © Channel 4/North One Television

The Gadget Man team visited Kent where they used a private residence in Faversham for Richard’s house which features throughout the series as well as Wye National Nature Reserve in Ashford and Leeds Castle which are in episode three where Richard looks at gadgets that can solve “staycation” issues.

Faversham is a beautiful, historic market town which boasts nearly 500 listed buildings and is set on the picturesque Faversham Creek. It has many restaurants, shops, attractions and beautiful walks. The area has been used as a film location for productions such as Great British Railway Journeys (2014), Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013).

The 133 hectares of Wye National Nature Reserve consists of chalk grassland and woodland on steep coombes and offers spectacular views over the Romney Marsh and Weald. Ashford and surrounding areas has been used for filming with previous visiting productions including The Monuments Men (2014) and Emma (2009).

Leeds Castle is set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland and formal gardens in Maidstone. The castle itself was built in 1119 and has state rooms a mote. Leeds Castle has previously been featured in productions such as Lady Jane (1987) and Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).

Don’t miss Gadget Man which starts on Monday 25th August 2014 at 20:30 on Channel 4 and the staycation episode will be shown on Monday 8th September 2014 at 20:30 on Channel 4.

 

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