Pennyworth Series 1 (2019)

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Kent Film Office

Alfred Pennyworth points a gun on this poster image with a montage of characters in the background. Red backdrop with faint image of castle in the background.

Pennyworth (2019– ) ©IMDb

Creator / Writer: Bruno Heller
Directors: Danny Cannon, Rob Bailey, Bill Eagles, Jon East, Clare Kilner, China Moo-Young
Starring: Jack Bannon, Ben Aldridge, Hainsley Lloyd Bennett, Paloma Faith
Production Company: Warner Bros
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Pennyworth Series One tells the origin story of Alfred Pennyworth a former special‑forces soldier living in London in the 1960s and how he came to work for Bruce Wayne’s father, Thomas Wayne.

This TV series for Starzplay was created by Bruno Heller and co-written by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Danny Cannon and Seth Sinclair. Pennyworth was directed by a collaboration of directors Danny Cannon, Rob Bailey, Bill Eagles, Jon East, Clare Kilner and China Moo-Young.

Jack Bannon (The Imitation Game, Fury, Endeavour) stars as Alfred Pennyworth with co-star Ben Aldridge (Our Girl, Fleabag, Toast) playing Thomas Wayne. Pennyworth also stars Hainsley Lloyd Bennett (King of Crime, Catastrophe), Ryan Fletcher (Beats, Outlander) and singer songwriter Paloma Faith (Peter & Wendy, Doctor Parnassus).

During Series One production visited The Historic Chatham Dockyard for filming where exterior scenes were shot around the Ropery, including a chase scene on the roof, Old Pay Office, Admiral’s Office and Anchor Wharf to stand in as 1960s London.

Chatham is home to one of Kent’s most popular film locations The Historic Dockyard Chatham. The Medway area has previously been seen on screen in The Third Day (2020), Great British Railway Journeys Series 11 (2020) and Call the Midwife Series 1 – 9 (2012 – 2020).

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 productions set in the 1950s and 1960s including Call the Midwife (2018) and The Crown (2016). Lodge Hill in Rochester is a huge former MOD site of around 350 hectares offering numerous large warehouses, hard standing for set builds, two lakes, a helicopter landing area and miles of country roads and dirt tracks for driving sequences.

Pennyworth Series One was released on Starzplay on 25^th October 2019.

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

Interior Design Masters (2019)

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Kent Film Office

Picture Shows: Backrow (L) to (R) Cassie Nicholas, Jim Biddulph, Verity Coleman, Frank Newbold, Nicki Bamford-Bowes all standing at the back of a bricked room with blue pictures on the wall. Front row (L) to (R) Trish Coggans, Terian Tilston, Jerome Gardner, Kyle Broughton-Frew and Ju De Paula sitting on sofas looking into the camera.

Presenter: Fearne Cotton

Starring: Michelle Ogundehin, Mary Portas, Jade Jagger, Matthew Williamson

Production Company: Darlow Smithson Productions / Endemol Shine

Kent Locations Used: Whitstable

On Interior Design Masters, ten designers take on different design projects and compete with each other to gain a commission with a client for a job.

Among the contestants is Jim Biddulph, 32, from Margate. He left a previous job as a design writer to pursue his new career which was 10 years in the making and seized the opportunity to be involved in the programme. Fellow contestant Frank Newbold also boasts Kent connections as he previously lived in Rochester.

The guest judges on Interior Design Masters are Michelle Ogundehin (The Great Interior Design Challenge), Mary Portas (Hotel GB/Mary Portas: Secret Shopper), Jade Jagger (Gomorron/Divendres), Matthew Williamson. Presenting is Fearne Cotton (Celebrity Juice/Lemon La Vida Loca).

In Episode 7 , the semi final, the three remaining candidates are asked to each remodel a hairdressers in Whitstable High Street. Guest judge Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen will help to decide whether the classic look of Len’s Barber Shop, the futuristic theme of Jelly Beanz or the industrial remodel of Edge is good enough to get the designer to the final.

Whitstable is on the north coast of Kent. The town is famous for its oysters, celebrated during the famous Oyster Festival during the summer.

The series was created by BBC 2 and Netflix, consisting of eight episodes.

Episode One of Interior Design Masters will be shown on BBC Two on Wednesday 14^th August 2019 at 8pm on BBC2.

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

Secret Britain (2016)

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Kent Film Office

Secret Britain,Chris Hollins on North Kent Marshes (RSPB & Dickens stories) © BBC/James Harrison

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations: Sheldwich, Bonnington, Little Chart, Tonbridge, Rochester, The White Cliffs of Dover, Cooling and North Kent Marshes, St Thomas Becket in Fairfield, Thanet

Secret Britain is a BBC series which explores the hidden corners of the UK in search of the best landscapes in the country.

Now in its third series, the production visited Kent between September and October 2015 to explore some of what Kent’s glorious countryside has to offer.

Presenters Ellie Harrison, Chris Hollins and Denise Lewis filmed at a variety of Kent locations including Sheldwich, Bonnington, Little Chart, Tonbridge, Rochester, Cooling and North Kent Marshes, The White Cliffs of Dover, Fairfield and Thanet Offshore Wind Farm.

Denise Lewis, Will Tebbutt (L-R) abseiling for rock samphire off the White Cliffs of Dover © BBC/James Harrison

The village of Sheldwich lies south of Faversham and is on the edge of the beautiful Kent Downs. The Faversham area has been used as a film location for A Taste of Britain (2014), Southcliffe (2013) and Great Expectations (2012).

In the Ashford district of Kent is the village of Bonnington with the The Royal Military Canal running through it as well as Little Chart which is home to the Ruins of St Mary’s Church. The Ashford area has previously been used as a film location by such The Apprentice (2015), as Emma (2009) and the infamous Kentish series, The Darling Buds of May (1991 – 1993).

The West Kent market town of Tonbridge has a rich cultural heritage and spectacular scenery with beautiful countryside, castles, stately homes, gardens, farms, as well as sports and leisure facilities. Productions that have previously filmed in the area include Great British Railway Journeys (2014) and BBC drama Missing (2010).

In the Medway district is the historic town of Rochester and village of Cooling which overlooks the gorgeous North Kent Marshes. The Medway area has previously been seen on screen in Jekyll and Hyde (2015), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

The world famous White Cliffs of Dover offers spectacular views of the English Channel and Dover Castle. This location has previously featured in Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011), On A Clear Day (2005) and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965).

St Thomas Becket in Fairfield is an isolated historic church in the middle of the Romney Marsh which dates back to 1200. The Romney Marsh area has been used as a film location for projects such as The Honourable Woman (2014), Parades End (2012) and Dr Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1964).

The Thanet Offshore Wind Farm consists of 100 wind turbines which stretches for seven miles. The Thanet area has previously featured on screen in productions such as The Lady in the Van (2015) and Eastenders (2015).

Don’t miss the Kent episode of Secret Britain which will air on Wednesday 6^th April 2016 at 21:00 on BBC One.

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

Take Me Out – Series 8 (2016)

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Kent Film Office

Take Me Out - The girls standing on a staircase with presenter Paddy McGuinness in front

Take Me Out – The girls with Paddy McGuinness © ITV

Production Company: Thames

Kent Locations Used: The Maidstone Studios, Rochester Castle, Canterbury

ITV’s Take Me Out returns for an eighth series with Paddy McGuinness hosting the Saturday night dating show in the hope that he can find dates for the “Flirty 30” ladies looking for love.

Single men arrive by the Love Lift and through various rounds, the ladies can turn their lights off if they are no longer interested in them – “No Likey, No Lighty”. Any man who survives with more than one light on, can choose which lady he will take on a date to the Isle of Fernando.

Take Me Out is filmed in Kent at The Maidstone Studios, with spin off show Take Me Out: The Gossip visiting Rochester Castle and Canterbury this series.

The UK’s largest independent HD TV studio facility, The Maidstone Studios boasts 5 studios, a sound stage, post production facilities, storage and plentiful parking. The Maidstone Studios has been the film studio for many popular entertainment shows including Later…With Jools Holland (2014) and Got To Dance (2010).

Rochester Castle is a 12^th Century Castle set in beautiful gardens and overlooks the River Medway. The castle has been used as a film location by The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Veer (2010).

The vibrant City of Canterbury has a Cathedral, busy shopping areas, parks and open spaces and two universities. The Canterbury area has previously been seen on screen on Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015), The Apprentice (2014) and A Canterbury Tale (1944).

Don’t miss the new series of Take Me Out which starts on Saturday 2nd January 2016 at 20:00 on ITV1.

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

Children in Need – The Rickshaw Challenge (2015)

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Kent Film Office

Pudsey the bear in the studio with Team Rickshaw sat on the sofa behind him

The One Show’s Rickshaw challenge 2015 – Team Rickshaw. (l-r) Alex Jones, Lucy, George G, Pudsey, Erin, Amira, Matt Baker, George D, Elliot © BBC

Kent Locations: Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Chatham, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Rochester, Gravesend, Dartford

Returning in 2015 for its fifth year is The One Show Rickshaw Challenge, in aid of BBC Children in Need. With help from The One Show presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones, six young riders embark upon an epic 470-mile journey pedalling a rickshaw.

Across eight days the team will cycle from Land’s End to the East End, beginning their pursuit on Friday 6^th November 2015. The end of Day Six will see the team touch down in Brighton, before beginning the sixty miles plus journey to The Historic Dockyard Chatham the following day. The expedition will take the team through a number of towns in Kent, including parts of Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Chatham, Rochester, Gravesend and Dartford . The team’s full journey can be found and followed here: http://pudsey.viewranger.com/

The cumulative total of money raised so far by The Rickshaw Challenge is over £7.9 million, all of which goes towards supporting disadvantaged young people in the UK.

Tunbridge Wells is a town in West Kent, home to a host of historic buildings, specialist shops, churches and a busy town centre. Productions which have previously filmed in the area include Britain’s Best Bakery (2012), Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015) and Hunted (2012).

Maidstone is the county town of Kent, home to a number of parks and shopping facilities, as well as The Maidstone Studios which is the UK’s largest independent High Definition TV studio facility. Productions which have filmed in the area include Take Me Out (2015), Later… with Jools Holland (2015) and Couples Come Dine With Me (2014).

Rochester offers beautiful cobbled streets, parks and the Cathedral and castle while Chatham is home to The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Day Seven’s final destination before Team Rickshaw makes their way up to Elstree to finally complete the challenge. The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular filming location on account of its Georgian and Victorian architecture and authentic cobbled streets (which the rickshaw riders might be hoping to avoid!). The Medway area has previously been seen on screen in Jekyll and Hyde (2015), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

The town of Gravesend is situated in North West Kent, with exceptional transport links up to London. Gravesend has previously hosted productions including Babylon (2014), The Interceptor (2015) and Great British Railway Journeys (2014).

Dartford is situated close to Bromley and Bexley and boasts great travel links in and out of Kent. Full of quaint architecture and great guesthouses and hotels, Dartford has hosted other productions in the past such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and The Inbetweeners (2010).

Tune into The One Show on BBC One at 19:00, BBC One to follow Team Rickshaw’s progress from Friday 6^th November until Friday 13^th November, when the Children in Need Appeal Show will be airing.

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

Jekyll and Hyde (2015)

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Kent Film Office

Tom Bateman as Jekyll and Hyde - standing on a cobbled street with a bridge in the background at night

Tom Bateman as Jekyll and Hyde © ITV

Director: Colin Teague

Writer: Charlie Higson

Starring: Tom Bateman, Richard E Grant, Natalie Gumede

Production company: ITV Studios

Kent Locations Used: Rochester, The Guildhall Museum, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Elmley Nature Reserve, Fort Amherst

ITV’s new ten-part series Jekyll and Hyde is set in the 1930’s and features Robert Jekyll, the grandson of the original famed Dr Jekyll.

This new action adventure starts with Robert Jekyll living with his foster parents in India, ignorant of his family history and his mysterious, inherited condition. The drama begins when Robert Jekyll unveils the nature of his ‘curse’ which sees him transform into Hyde in moments of extreme anger, stress and when lives are threatened.

The show was conceived by Charlie Higson (Young Bond, The Enemy) and inspired by The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Higson executive produces the series alongside Francis Hopkinson (Henry VIII, Colditz, Wallander) and Foz Allan (Wolfblood, The Dumping Ground, Robin Hood) as Series Producer.

Jekyll and Hyde cast on a cobbled street with old building behind them

Jekyll and Hyde cast © ITV

Directed by Colin Teague (Torchwood, The Last Drop) and starring Tom Bateman (Da Vinci’s Demons, The Tunnel) as Jekyll and Hyde alongside Richard E Grant (Doctor Who, Downton Abbey) and Natalie Gumede (Doctor Who, Coronation Street).

The Jekyll and Hyde production team chose to film in Kent between February and July 2015 at Rochester High Street where the exterior of Vraitch Vision doubles as Empire music hall in London and The Guildhall Museum features as the hotel where Dr Jekyll (Tom Bateman) first lodges when arriving in England. The Historic Dockyard Chatham was used to double as Gravesend Docks, Tenebrae offices and factory and various areas of the site feature as London Streets and markets.

Elmley Nature Reserve features in episode three as the setting for Maggie’s (Niamh Walsh) country house, where Robert Jekyll, Garson (Donald Sumpter), Max Utterson (Christian McKay) and Hils (Ruby Bentall) visit before a showdown with The Cutter (Jason La Shard). The Fort Amherst tunnels are used in episodes 9 and 10 where Jekyll finds out about the powers of The Incubus.

Rochester is a historic city with a Medieval Cathedral and castle. Productions such as BBC’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Great Expectations (1989) have previously filmed in the city.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is set across an 80 acre site with Georgian and Victorian historic buildings, a dry dock, cobbled streets and industrial buildings. The location has previously been used in Call the Midwife , Mr Turner (2015) and Les Miserables (2013).

Elmley Nature Reserve is a large expanse of marshland located on the Isle of Sheppey. The marshes have previously been used by productions such as Great Expectations (2012), Great British Railway Journeys (2014) and A Taste of Britain (2014).

Based in Chatham, Medway is Georgian Fortress, Fort Amherst which is in a 17 acre park like setting with large tunnel complex, woodland, WW2 gun battery and sloping grassland. Fort Amherst has also been used as a filming location by Partners in Crime (2015), Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Mission (1987).

Don’t miss Jekyll and Hyde which starts on Sunday 25^th October at 18:30 on ITV.

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

Hoff the Record (2015)

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Kent Film Office

David Hasselhoff singing into a microphone in a club with pink balloons behind him

David Hasselhoff as The Hoff ©UKTV

Starring: David Hasselhoff

Production Company: Me & You Productions Ltd

Kent Locations Used: Fort Borstal, Rochester

‘When you’re at the top there’s only one place you can go.’

Baywatch star, David Hasselhoff, will return to UK television screens playing a fictionalized version of himself, The Hoff, in his new six part mockumentary series titled Hoff the Record.

This semi-improvised comedy show commissioned specially by UKTV for Dave, will be based on The Hoff attempting to reignite his career, whilst being constantly challenged by his director, Josh Brooke-Webb, played by Craig Roberts (Submarine, 22 Jump Street), as they film a biopic of his life. As he lands in the UK to start a new life, The Hoff receives none of his preferential Hollywood treatment; instead, much to his dismay, he is landed with a star-struck driver and a first-time Personal Assistant. Hasselhoff’s fictionalised character has hit rock bottom. Will his luck change?

The Hoff the Record team filmed at Fort Borstal near Rochester for three days in November 2014. Kent is featured in the 5^th episode where a combat scene was staged outside the old prison.

Don’t miss the Hoff the Record, which starts on Thursday 18^th June 2015 at 21:00 on Dave and the Kent episode which airs on Thursday 16th July 2015 at 21:00 on Dave.

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

Great British Railway Journeys (2014)

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Great British Railway Journeys- presenter walking towards the camera with white cliffs behind

Great British Railway Journeys © BBC/Boundless, part of FremantleMedia UK

Production Company: Talkback Thames

Kent locations used: Gravesend, Rochester, Faversham, Dover, Tonbridge

This BBC Two series follows journalist and broadcaster Michael Portillo as he travels the country by train and looks into how Britain’s railways have shaped the country as well as the impact trains have had on our lives.

On the journey between cathedral cities Norwich and Chichester, Michael Portillo travels across the South East and visits some delightful Kent locations. In episode 18 of the fifth series, he visits Gravesend where he discovers how army officer General Gordon influenced the town before he travels to Rochester to explore the one time home of renowned writer Charles Dickens.

Michael Portillo, John Owen in front of the entrance to Shepherd Neame brewery

In the next episode, Michael starts his journey in Faversham where he visits one of the oldest breweries in the country, Shepherd Neame, to investigate how railways helped the brewery transport beer. He then visits Dover to explore the fortification at Western Heights before heading to Tonbridge where he learns how railways helped Tonbridge School to cricketing glory.

Gravesend is on the south bank of the River Thames and has a cast iron pier, promenade and high street as well as international links at the nearby Ebbsfleet International station. Gravesend has welcomed other film productions such as Long Lost Family: Born without Trace (2020).

Rochester is a historic City that boasts an impressive cathedral and castle that links back to the medieval period. The City has strong connections with Charles Dickens, and many TV and film adaptations of his famous novels have filmed in the area.

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 and has been used for various productions including Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013) and the nearby Oare Marshes were used in feature film Great Expectations (2012).

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover and Europe’s busiest passenger port. The area has been used for many filming projects such as Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Tonbridge is a West Kent market town with a rich cultural heritage and spectacular scenery. The area is surrounded beautiful countryside and boasts castles, stately homes, gardens, farms, as well as sports and leisure facilities. Productions that have previously filmed in the area include Missing (2010).

Don’t miss the Kent episodes of Great British Railway Journeys which will be shown on Wednesday 29 January 2014 at 18:30 on BBC Two and Thursday 30 January 2014 at 18:30 on BBC Two.

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

Veer (2010)

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Kent Film Office

Zarine Khan walking in the snow holding a book with a bike behind her.

Director: Anil Sharma

Writers: Salman Khan

Stars: Salman Khan, Mithun Chakraborty and Jackie Shroff

Filming Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Rochester Castle

Set in 1875 and starring Bollywood legend Salman Khan as Veer, this is the love story of an Indian warrior under the British Raj. With the arrival of the British, Indian Kings and Nawabs entrust their treasured kingdoms to the foreigners. Not so Veer. Being a member of the Pindari, he prefers death to dishonour and decides to fight the invaders.

The stakes are raised when he falls in love with Princess Yashodhara (Zarine Kahn), daughter of a British collaborator and his sworn enemy, played by Jackie Shroff. Veer takes on the might of the British Empire and its allies not only for justice, but also to win his true love.

Salman Khan, who wrote the story for the film, gained one and half times his body weight to fit the role. Over 20 years in the making, Khan’s hard work and determination finally paid off when he completed his ‘dream project’.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham provided the perfect period location for Director, Anil Sharma, to stage a funeral sequence, a winter scene and a Victorian Street, all within its grounds.

Rochester Castle became the romantic backdrop for a musical sequence complete with horse and carriage.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is set over 80 acres on part of the site of the former royal/naval dockyard at Chatham. The site boasts 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings, cobbled streets and a Cold War submarine and Victorian ropery. Previously filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham include The Crown (2016), Great Expectations (2012) and Wayfaring Stranger (2008).

Rochester Castle is a 12^th Century Castle which prides itself on being one of the best preserved castles in England. The castle is set in beautiful gardens and overlooks the River Medway and has been used for filming by The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012).

Veer is out on DVD.

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

Dickens Secret Lover (2008)

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Kent Film Office

David Haig and Amy Shiels in period costumes. David looking up to the ceiling and Amy is behind looking at him

Director: Sarah Aspinall

Writer: Jim Barton

Production Company: Flame Television Production Ltd.

Kent Filming Locations: Charles Dickens Chalet at Eastgate House Rochester and Theatre Royal Margate.

Dickens’ Secret Lover is screening on Channel 4 as part of their Victorian Passions season, examining Charles Dickens’ private life. The programme reveals the secret life of the literary giant, in which he abandons his wife for a long lasting affair with a very young actress.

Charles Dance sat on a chair facing the camera. Colourful curtains are behind him.

Charles Dance presenting Dickens

The programme is presented by Charles Dance, an actor who was seen most recently in the BBC adaptation of Bleak House as the callous Tulkinghorn. Dance takes on the role of detective in this drama-documentary, questioning five Dickens’ experts on how the affair affected his writing and his public character of a virtuous Victorian. Key scenes are dramatised to give the viewer a more in depth understanding of Dickens (played by David Haig) and his secret life with actress Nelly, played by Amy Shiels.

Charles Dickens’ is arguably Kent’s most famous author, having lived both at Gad’s Hill in Higham and at Broadstairs in Bleak House, Kent is understandably rich in historical links to the author. Many of his novels were penned here and many of the locations used in his novels echo real life locations in Kent. For example Westgate House in the Pickwick Papers is widely reported to be based on Eastgate House in Rochester.

The programme filmed on location both at Rochester in Charles Dickens’ Chalet at Eastgate House in Rochester and the Theatre Royal in Margate.

The Swiss Chalet, a present from a French actor to Dickens, was originally constructed in the grounds of his home at Gad’s Hill before moving to Cobham Hall in Gravesham, where the recent BBC series Bleak House was filmed. Nowadays, the Chalet can be seen in the garden at Eastgate house in Rochester.

Exterior shot of Eastgate House - red brick building with black windows

The Theatre Royal in Margate was chosen because the crew wanted to visit locations that Dickens was passionate about. A performer himself, he frequently read his works to the public throughout the UK, and of course in Kent.

Eastgate House, situated in Rochester was formerly a large private town house. Built by Sir Peter Buck; it has now been restored and is owned by Medway Council. Productions such as Jekyll and Hyde (2015), BBC’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Great Expectations (1989) have previously filmed in the Rochester area.

The Theatre Royal is situated in the heart of Margate which is a vibrant seaside resort, with complementary historic and modern architecture. Margate has welcomed other productions including The Apprentice (2015), Last Orders (2002) and Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys’ Outing (1989).

In 2012 England will celebrating the bicentenary of his birth.

Dickens’ Secret Lover will be shown on Channel 4 at 9pm on the 16^th June 2008.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission