Rochester

Whitstable Pearl (2021-2024)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Kerry Godliman as restaurant owner Pearl Nolan is centre of the image wearing a green top and blue apron. She has blonde hair and behind her is a pebble beach with boats and fishing huts

Whitstable Pearl stars Kerry Godliman as restaurant owner Pearl Nolan © Acorn TV

Creator: Julie Wassmer
Starring: Kerry Godliman, Howard Charles, Sophia Del Pizzo, Frances Barber
Production Company: Buccaneer Media
Kent Locations Used: Whitstable, Canterbury, Faversham, Herne Bay, Margate, Ramsgate, Detling, Dover, Sevenoaks, Rochester, Reculver

Based on the much loved series of novels ‘The Whitstable Pearl Mysteries’ by Kent resident Julie Wassmer (EastEnders, London’s Burning), Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022) is a detective series for Acorn TV. The story follows big-hearted local restaurant owner Pearl Nolan (Kerry Godliman) who sets up a local detective agency after undergoing police training in an earlier career. She is soon embroiled in her first case when she discovers the body of close friend, Vinnie. Pearl forms an unlikely partnership with DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles) and finds herself pulled into the dark underbelly of the picturesque town she calls home.

Whitstable Pearl was adapted for screen by Norwegian filmmaker Øystein Karlsen (One Night, Dag). Kerry Godliman (After Life, Call the Midwife (2012-2023)) headlines the show as Pearl Nolan alongside Howard Charles as DCI Mike McGuire (Shadow and Bone, Liar Series 2 (2020)) and Frances Barber (Cold Feet, Queens of Mystery (2020-2021)) as Pearl’s mum Dolly.

A woman with red hair and a black hat (Frances Barber as Dolly) walks along the sea shore with a woman wearing a black coat carrying a box (Kerry Godliman as Pearl Nolan). In the distance is the shoreline with houses and a beach

Frances Barber as Pearl’s mother Dolly (left) and Kerry Godliman as Pearl Nolan © Mark Bourdillon / Acorn TV

For both Series 1, 2 and 3, most of the filming took place in and around Whitstable itself, including scenes filmed by the coast at Whitstable Harbour, Whitstable West Beach, Whitstable Yacht Club and Tankerton Beach. Several private residences were used for filming including Beacon House as Pearl’s House located on Tankerton Beach in Series 1. Filming took place at The Old Neptune pub, which doubled as the Pearson’s Arms in both series 1 and 2.

The Citadel in Dover also appears in both series 1 and 2, doubling as a police station and a children’s home.

Series 1

In Series 1, Whitstable High Street features and local shops were filmed including Iain’s Plaice (fish and chip restaurant) and art gallery Chappell Contemporary as Houlihan’s Hardware store. Other Whitstable businesses filmed for Series 1 include the Cemetery, Football Ground, MFA Bowl and Seaview Holiday Park, which features as the trailer park where Vinnie lives.

The Kent Events Centre was used as a studio build location in Series 1 for interiors of Pearl’s seafood restaurant.

Margate beach and The Walpole Hotel double for Whitstable seaside scenes in Series 1. Production also filmed at Mathers Church and Canterbury Road in nearby Westgate-on-Sea. The Port of Ramsgate and Royal Harbour Marina double for the Port of Dover cruise terminal and Dover Marina in Series 1.

Interior scenes for Series 1 were filmed at the former St Martin’s Hospital in Canterbury doubling as a police station and a hospital. Other filming locations include a field near Faversham at Belmont Park and private residences in Herne Bay.

Series 2

Dover features throughout Series 2 Episode 1, as Kruz (Yaw Nimako-Asamoah) goes on the run and hides in various abandoned forms. Locations featured include The White Cliffs, Port of Dover, and Lydden Spout Battery, along with various nearby roads.

Sevenoaks features in Episodes 4 and 5 – the St Clere Estate doubles for Zelda’s (Stephanie Beacham) mansion in Episode 4, and in Episode 5 a private residence doubles for Dolly’s (Frances Barber) cottage and Stonepitts PYO Farm features as the fruit-picking farm where Bill (Geoff Bell) works.

Rochester High Street in Medway appears in Series 2 Episodes 1 and 3. Production filmed inside various businesses along the road, including Kiss the Bride, Baggins Book Bazaar and the Wolfe & Castle pub – which was an estate agents at the time of filming and doubles as one in the show.

The Nayland Rock Hotel in Margate features in Episode 3 as The Bradford Hotel where Pearl and Mike questions Sammy Grady (Ben Bishop). Dreamland is the main location in Episode 6, as the theme park where a wedding (and a murder) takes place.

Series 3

As well as returning to their usual Whitstable locations, for Series 3 production visited various private businesses including The Harbour Garden Café, Jane at Graham Greener florist, Harbour News, Harbour Gallery, VC Jones of Whitstable fish & chip shop, Whitstable Castle, Whitstable Bowling Club and Marine Hotel. Filming also took place at All Saints Church, as well as various private residences including a privately-owned beach hut on Tankerton beach, a residence on Cliff Road which doubles for the exterior of a nursing home, and a residence on Beach Walk which was renovated into the Whitts-tables Furniture Store. Two dramatic chase scenes were filmed along many Whitstable roads and alleyways, including the famous Squeezegut Alley.

Other locations featured in Series 3 include Reculver Towers and a caravan site behind the King Ethelbert Inn which feature in Episode 2 and a private residence in Halstead in the Sevenoaks district, which doubles for Anthony Corella’s (Nick Moran) home in Episode 6.

Whitstable is a 16th century thriving seaside resort in Kent. Known for its native oysters, Whitstable boasts a working fishing harbour, shingle beach and busy high street. Recent productions to film in the town include Series 4 of Catastrophe (2019) and Still Life (2013).

Beacon House is a colonial clapboard wooden turn of the century Beach House.  Set above beach on a private sea road, the grounds include wild woodland gardens and views out to sea and lines of beach huts. Catastrophe Series 4 (2019) filmed at this location.

The Kent Events Centre based in Detling is the largest, most flexible conference and exhibition venue in Kent, offering 7,000 sqm of indoor space available to film productions as studio space and 200 acres of outdoor space.

Margate is a traditional seaside town complete with sandy beach, harbour, amusement park, period housing and ultra-modern art gallery Turner Contemporary. The Walpole Hotel was built for discerning guests in 1914 and extended in 1927.  Built over 5 floors it has 42 Bedrooms, 2 flats and a newly added small museum space. Dreamland is considered to be the oldest-surviving amusement park in Great Britain, and has played host to a variety of productions, including Killing Eve (2018-2022), Two Weeks to Live (2020) and Jellyfish (2018). Located nearby, The Nayland Rock Hotel also featured in Killing Eve (2018-2022), as well as King of Thieves (2018).

Westgate-on-Sea is a charming Victorian town, steeped in Heritage with quaint shops and two fantastic blue flag beaches. Margate is popular as a film locations with recent productions including Two Weeks to Live (2020), Pandemonium (2020) and Top Boy – Series 3 (2019).

The Port of Ramsgate offers 32 acres of dedicated Port Land including 3 modern Ro-Ro bridges and Water and bunker facilities on all berths. It is often used as ‘stand-in’ for the Port of Dover. Royal Harbour Marina offers 700 finger moorings set in a picturesque and historic harbour setting. Crime dramas to previously film at the Port of Ramsgate include The Tunnel: Vengeance (2017) and Baptiste (2019).

Dover houses the major port, connecting the UK with the European mainland. Dover Castle towers above the town, signalling Dover’s strategic importance in the defence of the country and the White Cliffs are one of the most recognised landmarks in Britain. Recent productions to have filmed in Dover include Pistol (2022), Rogue Agent (2022), and The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016).

The Citadel, located on Dover‘s Western Heights was constructed in the late 1700’s as a port of defence during the Napoleonic war. Most recently it has been used as a borstal, prison, and immigration detention centre up until its closure in 2015. It is now becoming popular as a filming location and has welcomed several productions over the past year – soon to broadcast.

The town of Sevenoaks has a varied landscape, featuring a bustling high street, stately homes and castles as well as beautiful countryside. Located in that countryside is the St Clere Estate, which offers stunning views of the North Downs, formal gardens, paddocks, a kitchen garden, orangery, green houses, and a temple by the lake. Built in 1630, it has some fine architectural examples of the Caroline era. It has recently played host to a variety of productions including The Great (2020-2021), Gangs of London (2020) and The Third Day (2020).

Rochester is a city with the feel of a medieval market town, including a cathedral, castle ruin and unspoilt high street by the River Medway. Other productions to have filmed in Rochester include Unforgotten (2021), Jekyll and Hyde (2015) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012).

Herne Bay is a coastal resort popular for filming along the Kent coast. Kate & Koji (2020) is a recent production to film here. Faversham is a beautiful historic market town set on Faversham Creek. Hetty Feather Series 1 – 6 (2015 – 2020) also filmed in the area.

St Martin’s Hospital is a large building on the outskirts of busy Canterbury town centre. It has hosted filming for crime drama The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016) and The Tunnel: Vengeance (2017).

Reculver is a popular destination, comprising the atmospheric Reculver Towers and Roman Fort ruins and the surrounding country park and has previously featured in The Tunnel: Vengeance (2017-2020) and Pandemonium (2020).

Series 1 of Whitstable Pearl was released on Acorn TV on Monday 24th May 2021.

Whitstable Pearl Series 2 was released on Acorn TV on Monday 28th November 2022.

Series 3 of Whitstable Pearl will be released weekly on Acorn TV from Monday 21st October 2024.

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

The Crown Series 1 – 6 (2016-2023)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
•Actress Olivia Coleman as Queen Elizabeth II dressed in regimental uniform sitting on a black horse saluting. In the background is a crowd

Olivia Colman in The Crown (2020) © Netflix

Creator: Peter Morgan
Starring: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville, Elizabeth Debicki, Dominic West
Production Company: Left Bank Pictures, Sony Pictures Television
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Brompton Barracks, Cobham Hall, Lydd, Discovery Park, Rochester

The Crown (2016-2023) is a Netflix Original historical drama series focusing on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Based on real events, the series is a fictional dramatization of the political and personal events that shaped her reign.

Created by Peter Morgan (Rush (2013), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)), The Crown was reportedly the most expensive series to be produced by Netflix when it first aired, estimated at £100 million.

In Series 1 – 2, Queen Elizabeth II is portrayed by Claire Foy (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022), A Very British Scandal (2021)) followed by Olivia Colman in Series 3-4 (Landscapers (2021), The Favourite (2019)). Imelda Staunton (Flesh and Blood (2020), Vera Drake) took over the role in Series 5-6, supported by a host of stars including Jonathan Pryce (Wolf Hall (2015), The Two Popes) as Prince Philip, Lesley Manville (Harlots (2017), Mr Turner (2014)) as Princess Margaret, Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby, Widows) as Princess Diana and Dominic West (Genius (2016), Johnny English Reborn (2011)) as Prince Charles.

The Crown production team chose to visit Kent to film at The Historic Dockyard Chatham for Series 1 where they filmed a dockside scene on Anchor Wharf after building part of the side of a ship. The Historic Dockyard Chatham dates back to the 17th century and contains over 100 buildings from the Georgian and Victorian periods. It is a popular film location that has previously featured on screen in Suffragette (2015), Downton Abbey (2010-2013) and Les Miserables (2013).

In Series 4, production visited Brompton Barracks in Chatham, where they used the Parade Square and The Mall for scenes re-enacting Trooping the Colour at the Horse Guards Parade. Brompton Barracks is ideally suited as a location to double for iconic London landmarks with a large parade ground, vaulted cellars under the Officer’s Mess, statues, stone bridges, a museum, and a large ornate arch.

For Series 5, production revisited The Historic Dockyard Chatham where they filmed the Queen boarding a ship at Anchor Wharf. Filming also took place in the village of Lydd, at Hardy Hall and The Green, which was used to recreate Tony Blair, played by Bertie Carvel (Dalgliesh, Doctor Foster), and his family casting their votes in the 1997 General Election – a scene which sadly did not make the final cut. Production also visited Cobham Hall, which doubled as Eton College.

Production returned to Kent for Series 6, with filming taking place at Cobham Hall, which once again doubles for Eton College. A jogging scene was also filmed in a nearby private woodland and in Episode 4 Discovery Park features as the hospital in France where Princess Diana passed away. The wedding of Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Camilla (Olivia Williams) in Windsor was filmed outside Rochester Guildhall in the City Centre doubling for the registry office at Windsor Guildhall and the wedding procession.

Cobham Hall is a private school in a historic house which is located in 150 acres of Grade II listed parkland. Its features include a stunning ballroom, library, cobbled courtyards, formal gardens, water towers, modern classrooms and sport facilities, including a swimming pool. Previous productions to have filmed at Cobham Hall include Hetty Feather (2015-2020), High End Yaariyaan (2019) and Tulip Fever (2018).

Formerly the HQ for Pfizer in the UK, Discovery Park is a large office complex with science labs and warehouses. Recent productions to have filmed there include The Old Guard (2020), The Complex: Lockdown (2020) and Baptiste (2019).

Rochester City has the feel of a medieval market town, with Cathedral, castle ruins and unspoilt high street by the River Medway. Recent productions to have filmed there include Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022), Series 4 of Unforgotten (2021) and Big Boys Don’t Cry (2020).

The first series of The Crown (2016-2023) was released on Netflix on Friday 4th November 2016. All seasons are currently available to view on Netflix.

Series 6 of The Crown (2016-2023) will be released on Netflix in two parts. Part 1 will be released on Thursday 16th November 2023, with Part 2 following on Thursday 14th December 2023.

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

Pennyworth Series 1 – 2 (2019 – 2021)

Posted on 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 (2019–2021 ) ©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 (2019-2021) 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.

During Series Two production visited former MOD site Lodge Hill in Rochester, Medway to shoot some scenes.

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) and Call the Midwife Series 1 – 13 (2012 – 2024).

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 (2012-2024) and The Crown (2016-2023). 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 25th October 2019.

Series Two was released on Sunday 28th February 2021.

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

Welcome to Curiosity (2018)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

Director: Ben Pickering
Writer: Darren Ripley
Starring: Christian Solimeno, Eke Chukwu, Gary Grant, Amrita Acharia
Production Company: Shooting Tiger Pictures, Taffy Boy Films
Kent Locations Used: Gravesend, Rochester

Welcome to Curiosity (2018) follows four interconnected stories as a group of people in the small town of Curiosity find themselves linked to a notorious serial killer. It was the world’s first film to raise its entire production budget through crowdfunding.

The film was directed by Ben Pickering (Two Days in the Smoke, Election Night) and written by Darren Ripley (Two Days in the Smoke). The lead cast includes Christian Solimeno (Guilt, Hollyoaks) as Dexter, Eke Chukwu (Inside Man, How We Met) as Al, Gary Grant (Enemy Lines, The Lazarus Project) as Tim and Amrita Acharia (Game of Thrones, The Sister) as Zoe.

Various scenes were shot on the streets of Gravesend and Rochester. Fort Borstal also features, doubling as an abandoned warehouse where the criminals return after their heist and Fordy (Richard Blackwood) tries to double-cross them.

Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent on the south bank of the Thames. Gravesend’s pier is the oldest remaining cast-iron pier in the world, and the town also boasts an unspoilt promenade, high street and two shopping centres. Previous productions to have filmed here include The Escape (2018), The Interceptor (2015) and The Long Memory (1953).

Rochester City has the feel of a medieval market town, with cathedral, castle ruin and unspoilt high street by the River Medway. Built in 1895, Fort Borstal was designed to hold the high ground southwest of Rochester. Used as an anti-aircraft battery in WWII, then later a pig farm and Young Offenders Institute storage space, the site has now been sold and converted into living accommodation. Previous productions to have filmed in Rochester include Jekyll and Hyde (2015), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) and Last Orders (2002).

Welcome to Curiosity (2018) was released on Friday 8th June 2018 and is available to purchase on Amazon Prime.

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

Transhuman (2017)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

Director / Writer: Nicholas Winter
Starring: Natasha James, Michael McKell, Toyah Frantzen, Rebecca Scott
Production Company: Porcelain Film
Kent Locations Used: Fort Borstal

Transhuman (2017) is a British horror movie following investigative journalist Alex Black, whose research into her missing friend leads her into the underbelly of a transhumanist cult hell bent on destroying the world.

Written and directed by Nicholas Winter (The Imposters, War Blade), the film stars Natasha James (Lost a Girl, Perfect Piece) as Alex, Michael McKell (Allied, Where Hands Touch) as Michael, Toyah Frantzen (Uncle, Holby City) as Dahna and Rebecca Scott (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Queens) as Cassie.

Production visited Kent to film at Fort Borstal in Rochester, which doubles for the underground building in Africa where the transhumanist experiments take place.

Built in 1895, Fort Borstal was a fort designed to hold the high ground southwest of Rochester. Since the filming, the site has been converted into housing. Rochester is a city in Medway with the feel of a medieval market town, with cathedral, castle ruins and unspoilt high street by the River Medway. Other projects to have filmed in Rochester include Welcome to Curiosity (2018), Jekyll and Hyde (2015) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012).

Transhuman (2017) was first shown at the London Independent Film Festival on Saturday 15th April 2017, and is now available to stream on Amazon Prime.

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

Jekyll and Hyde (2015)

Posted on 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 (2012-2024) , 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).

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 25th 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 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 5th episode where a combat scene was staged outside the old prison.

Don’t miss the Hoff the Record, which starts on Thursday 18th 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. 

Veer (2010)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Zarine Khan walking in the snow holding a book with a bike behind her.

Zarine Khan as Princess Yashodhara © Eros International

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.

Salman Khan as Veer walking down a street with horse and carriages, white buildings are either side

Salman Khan is Veer © Eros Entertainment

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) and Great Expectations (2012).

Rochester Castle is a 12th 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 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

David Haig as Dickens and Amy Shiels as Nelly © Channel 4

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 © Channel 4

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

Eastgate House © Medway Council

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 16th June 2008.

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

Last Orders (2002)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Last Orders Movie Poster - 6 cast members stood in a circle laughing at each other in a pub. Last Orders written in white

Last Orders Movie Poster © Metrodome Distribution Ltd.

Director: Fred Schepisi

Writer: Graham Swift (Novel) and Fred Schepisi

Starring: Michael Caine, Helen Mirren, Ray Winston, David Hemmings, Bob Hoskins, Tom Courtenay

Production Company: Future Films, MBP, Scala Productions, Winchester Films 

Kent Locations: Rochester, the Historic War Memorial in Chatham, The Mount – Old Wives Lees near Chilham, Canterbury Cathedral, Margate

Last Orders is based on the novel of the same name by Graham Swift, and tells the story of how one man’s death affects the lives of those close to him as his best friends make a journey to pursue his final wish to have his ashes scattered at sea.

Throughout the journey, Jack’s companions share their own individual memories of him and how he made an impact on their lives. Flashbacks are used throughout the film stretching through six decades telling the story of the group of London pals as they make their heart felt journey to say goodbye to their friend.

Directed by Fred Schepisi (Six Degrees of Separation, A Cry in the Dark) and starring a host of acting talent including Michael Caine (The Italian Job, Batman Begins), Ray Winston (The Departed, The Sweeney), Bob Hoskins (Made in Dagenham, Ruby Blue), David Hemmings (The Rainbow Jacket, Gangs of New York), Tom Courtenay (Doctor Zhivago, The Golden Compass) and Helen Mirren (Calendar Girls, The Queen).

Rochester was used as a stop off during the friend’s journey and you can see them drive over Rochester Bridge and also walk down the high street. Rochester is a historic City that boasts an impressive cathedral and castle and has many links with Charles Dickens. Previous productions to have filmed in the area include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012)and Veer (2009).

The Historic War Memorial in Chatham features in film for the scenes where the men stop off and reminisce about their time at war. Nearby, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular location having been used for productions such as Dom Hemingway (2013) Call The Midwife (2012-2013) and Children of Men (2006).

The Mount in Old Wives Lees was also one of the stop offs on the groups journey and is used for the flashback scenes of how Jack met his wife Amy. Neighboring village to Chilham, has a remarkable fifteenth century square of black and white timbered buildings and has been used for a variety of filming projects including Channel 4 comedy Chickens (2011)and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2005).

Canterbury Cathedral was used within the film as the characters make a stop to the grounds and look around the Cathedral. Canterbury is a vibrant City with parks and open spaces, shopping areas and neighbouring quaint, traditional towns. Previous productions that have shot in Canterbury include Canterbury Tales (2003).

Margate features in the final scenes of the film where the men scatter Jack’s ashes from the harbor arm. Margate is a delightful seaside town with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, and period housing. The Old Town has lots to offer including galleries, quirky shops and trendy cafes. Margate is a popular location having previously welcomed productions such as BBC One’s improvised drama True Love (2012).

Last Orders was released in UK cinemas in January 2002 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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