Sandwich

3 Body Problem (2024)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
A close up image of an eye. Inside of the iris are the numbers 03:21:24. On the right-hand side of the image in red and white text are the words 3 Body Problem.

3 Body Problem (2024) © Netflix

Writer: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
Starring: Eiza González, John Bradley, Liam Cunningham, Benedict Wong, Alex Sharp, Tsai Chin
Production Company: Bighead Littlehead, Plan B Entertainment, Primitive Streak, T-Street, The Three-Body Universe, YooZoo Pictures
Kent Locations Used: Discovery Park

Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem (2024) is an 8-part Netflix series which follows humanity’s first contact with aliens from the planet Trisolaris, and a secret organisation who aid them in their invasion of Earth.

Adapted for the screen by David Benioff (Game of Thrones, The Kite Runner), D.B. Weiss (Game of Thrones, Metal Lords) and Alexander Woo (True Blood, The Terror), 3 Body Problem stars Eiza González (Baby Driver, Godzilla vs. Kong), John Bradley (Game of Thrones, Moonfall), Liam Cunningham (Jude (1996), Hunger), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange (2016), Hummingbird (2013)), Alex Sharp (Living (2022), The Trial of the Chicago 7) and Tsai Chin (Memoirs of a Geisha, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).

Production visited Kent to film at Discovery Park in Sandwich.

Formerly a Pfizer research and manufacturing facility, Discovery Park is a large office complex with science labs and offices available for filming. Previous productions to have filmed there include The Old Guard (2020), The Complex: Lockdown (2020), and Baptiste (2019).

The Three-Body Problem will be released on Netflix Thursday 21st March 2024.

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

The Old Guard (2020)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Actor Charlize Theron in the front centre pointing her gun off camera, 3 other male cast members are lined up behind her on the stairs of a cave with their guns pointed

The Old Guard (2020) – ©Aimee Spinks/Netflix

Writer: Greg Rucka, Leandro Fernandez
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Starring: Charlize Theron, Chiwetell Ejiofor, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Matthias Schoenaerts, Harry Melling, Van Veronica Ngo
Production Companies: Denver and Delilah Productions, Netflix
Filming Locations: Discovery Park Ltd, Sandwich

Based on the comic book of the same name, The Old Guard (2020) is a superhero film that follows Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal mercenaries who have fought to protect the world for centuries. When the secret of their existence is exposed, it attracts the interest of those whose who seek to exploit their powers.

The film stars Oscar winner Charlize Theron as Andromache of Scythia (Mad Max: Fury Road, Bombshell), Academy Award Nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave, Dr.Strange), KiKi Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk, Captive State), Marwan Kenzari (Aladdin, The Murder on The Orient Express), Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden, They Call Me Jeeg) and Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone, Far From The Madding Crowd).

The Old Guard was written by Greg Rucka (Batman: Gotham Knight, Whiteout) and based on the graphic novel he co-created with Leandro Fernandez. The film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Shots Fired, Beyond the Lights).

Sandwich was used as a double for french town Goussainville. Market Street is briefly seen as Andy leaves a Pharmacy. Discovery Park in Sandwich doubles as Merrick Pharmaceutical throughout the film.

Discovery Park, the former Pfizer research and manufacturing facility, is situated just outside Sandwich and has many office and laboratory spaces available for filming. Previous productions to have filmed there include Baptiste (2019), The Lost Commando Raid (2018) and World War Z (2013).

Sandwich lies on the River Stour and is known for its many medieval buildings in addition to its churches and gated stone walls.  John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, is also credited as the inventor of the sandwich.

Town of Sandwich transformed for filming of The Old Guard- two images of Sandwich. The first of the street with an open lorry that has filming quipement in. The second of a street with cars on, the buildings have french flags outside.

Sandwich transformed for filming of The Old Guard © Kent Online

 

 

 

 

 

The Old Guard will release globally on Netflix on Friday 10th July 2020.

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

Baptiste (2019)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Actor Tchéky Karyo starring as investigator Julien Baptiste wearing a brown jacket pictured standing in a street looking around with people blurred behind him.

Tchéky Karyo as Julien Baptiste in Baptiste Series ©BBC

Writers: Harry Williams and Jack Williams
Director: Börkur Sigþörsson and Jan Mattys
Starring: Tchéky Karyo, Anastasia Hille, Tom Hollander, Camille Schotte, Trystan Gravelle
Production Company: Two Brothers Pictures for BBC One
Kent Locations used: Discovery Park, Dover, Kingsdown, Deal, Ramsgate

The highly anticipated new six-part BBC drama Baptiste (2019-2021) will be airing next week! From the creators of The Missing, this spin-off stars Tchéky Karyo as the insightful, yet stubborn investigator Julien Baptiste. Now retired and trying his best to enjoy his retirement with his family,  the investigator is contacted by Police Commissioner and former girlfriend Martha Horchner (Barbara Sarafian), who brings him a missing person’s case he can’t refuse.

The series is directed by Börkur Sigþörsson (BlackBoxTV, Trapped) and Jan Mattys (The Last Kingdom, Shetland). It was written by Harry Williams (The Missing, Liar) and Jack Williams (The Missing, Liar). Starring are Tchéky Karyo (Section Zéro, The Missing), Anastasia Hille (Prey, The Missing), Tom Hollander (American Dad, The Night Manager), Camille Schotte (The Missing, Belgian Disaster), Trystan Gravelle (The Aliens, A Discovery of Witches).

Production visited numerous Kent locations during filming for the series. These included a scene on Deal seafront, also showing Deal Pier, which features Edward Stratton (Tom Hollander) arriving by boat. A small scene also features a Co-op store in Deal where Edward shops for groceries. Further filming took place in neighbouring Kingsdown, again using the sea road and beachfronts. These include an establishing shot of a seafront house, a drone shot of Undercliffe and Sutton Vale Road of a black taxi and Sutton Vale Country Park where Edward Stratton (Tom Hollander) visits his family and meets with Baptiste (Tchéky Karyo). Kingsdown Beach is also featured for a conversation scene between Edward and Baptiste in the final episode.

Discovery Park in Sandwich was also used in the filming, doubling as a Japanese airport.  A tool store on Manston Industrial Estate in Ramsgate is featured as Baptiste (Tchéky Karyo) shops while talking on the phone.

A dangerous smuggler’s haunt in the 1800s, Deal town boasts a wonderful collection of colourful Georgian buildings, complemented by a long shingle beach with huts, fishing boats and pier restores in the 1950’s. It is a popular filming location and has previously featured in productions such as The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016) and Liar (2017). Kingsdown village is situated south of Deal and features in the James Bond trail.

Sandwich is a town north of Deal on the Stour Estuary and was once one of the Cinque Ports. It still has many original medieval buildings, including churches, almshouses and the White Mill. This location was the base for all three series of Kudos’  The Tunnel (2013), The Tunnel: Vengeance and The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016).

Ramsgate, located in the district of Thanet, is a thriving seaside town with beautiful Georgian terraced housing, Marina, Port and Promenade. Previous TV productions which filmed here include Eastenders (2015), The Tunnel: Vengeance (2017) and Hancock and Joan (2008).

Baptiste is set to air on BBC One on Sunday 17th February at 9pm.

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

The Tunnel: Vengeance (2017)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

Actors Clémence Poésy and Stephen Dillane look on at camera in police building

The Tunnel: Vengeance – © Sky Atlantic

Writer: Emilia Di Girolamo

Directors: Anders Engstrom and Giles Bannier

Starring: Clémence Poésy and Stephen Dillane

Production company: Kudos

Kent locations used: The Production was based in the County and locations are across East Kent and France

The Tunnel: Vengeance returns for its final and third series this December. The six-part crime-thriller is set against the backdrop of a refugee crisis in Europe, which leads British detective Karl (Stephen Dillane) to partner with Elise (Clémence Poésy) from the French National Gendarmerie. Together they investigate crimes such as the setting alight of a fishing vessel transporting refugees across the Channel. The series examines themes of terrorism, refugees and the rise of far-right political groups.

In March 2017, the production team, which was based in Sandwich, filmed across East Kent, with locations including Reculver, Botany Bay, Ramsgate Royal Harbour and the Port of Dover.

East Kent is home to spectacular coastal landscapes and historic towns, and boasts excellent transport links to London and western Europe. East Kent has been used for filming by productions such as Liar (2017) and Humans: Series 2 (2016).

Don’t miss the return of The Tunnel: Vengeance, with all the episodes available on Thursday 14 December on Sky Atlantic at 9pm.

 Watch the series teaser here:

 

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

The Apprentice (2015)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The Apprentice Contestant behind Karren Brady, Lord Sugar and Claude Littner

The Apprentice Contestant with Karren Brady, Lord Sugar, Claude Littner © BBC/Boundless/Jim Marks

 

Production company: Talkback

Kent Locations: Dover Castle, Margate, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Dover, Whitstable, Ashford 

The Apprentice is a popular BBC One show where ambitious entrepreneurs compete to avoid hearing the famous line “You’re Fired” and win Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.

The 18 candidates will have to show their commercial insight and business sense throughout the 12 tough tasks which are closely watched by Lord Sugar’s advisors Baroness Karren Brady and, replacing Nick Hewer, Claude Littner.

In episode three of series 11, “Cross-Channel Discount Buying”, Lord Sugar summons the group to the wartime tunnels underneath Dover Castle where the two teams “Connexus” and “Versatile” are given their task – half of the team must stay in Kent and the other half must travel to France to find nine items and negotiate the best possible price. The team that spends the least amount of money will win.

During the task, the teams visit Kent towns including Margate, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Dover, Whitstable and Ashford.

With the mission over, the teams head back to the boardroom to find out who won and which candidates are in the firing line.

Margate and Ramsgate are coastal towns in the Thanet District of Kent offering gorgeous beaches, historic towns and a harbour. The area has previously featured in productions such as Eastenders (2015), Edge of Heaven (2013) and True Love (2012).

Situated on the River Stour is the medieval town of Sandwich which has some of the best-preserved half-timbered houses in the country, eateries and B&B’s. The area has been used for filming on projects including Steph and Dom Meet Nigel Farage (2014) and World War Z (2013).

Dover is home to the infamous White Cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle and the Port of Dover, Europe’s busiest passenger port. Productions which have previously filmed in the Dover area include Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Mr Selfridge Series 3 (2015) and Missing (2009).

Whitstable is a seaside town near Canterbury, famous for its annual Oyster Festival as well as the delightful harbour, shingle beach, busy high street and strong arts and culture scene.  Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip (2015) and Tipping the Velvet (2002) have previously chosen to film in Whitstable.

Ashford is a market town with many shops, eateries, and a designer outlet shopping centre with London and Europe are just a train ride away through Ashford International train station. Ashford and surrounding areas has been used as a film location from visiting productions including Gadget Man (2014), The Monuments Men (2014) and Emma (2009).

Don’t miss the Cross-Channel Discount Buying episode of The Apprentice featuring Kent which will be shown on Wednesday 21st October 2015 at 21:00 on BBC One.

 

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

 

 

 

Steph and Dom Meet Nigel Farage (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Steph and Dom sitting outside their home with Nigel Farage on some concrete steps

Steph and Dom Meet Nigel Farage © Channel 4/Pro Co2

Production Company: Studio Lambert

Kent Locations: The Salutation, Sandwich

The stars of Channel 4 series Googlebox, Steph and Dom Parker, welcome their local MP candidate, UKIP leader Nigel Farage, into their luxury B&B for an entirely different kind of interview.

Steph and Dom enjoying drinks with Nigel Farage in their living room

Steph and Dom Meet Nigel Farage © Channel 4/Pro Co2

The one off special is a spin off from Gogglebox, the popular show where different groups including families and friends watch and comment on some of the most popular, and peculiar TV from the past week. Steph and Dom have featured in the series since its launch in 2013 and are known as the “posh couple”, renowned for enjoying a tipple.

The Salutation is a grade I listed mansion in Sandwich and is set in 3.5 acres of beautiful Lutyens & Jekyll gardens. The property boasts 17 magnificent bedrooms as well as self-contained properties.

The medieval town of Sandwich is situated on the River Stour and boasts some of the best-preserved half-timbered houses in the country. The area is also home to several golf clubs, eateries and B&B’s as well a museum, windmill and Roman Fort. Nearby Discovery Park was used for The Tunnel (2013) and World War Z (2013).

Steph and Dom meet Nigel Farage will be aired on Channel 4 on Monday 15th December 2014 at 22:00.

 

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

James May’s Cars of People (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
James May and Henri Cogi sitting in a KV Mini 1 microcar, in Landes-Le-Gaulois, France

James May © BBC Worldwide/Rod Fountain

Production Company: BBC

Kent locations: Discovery Park

James May’s Cars of People is a new BBC Two series where the Top Gear presenter discovers how the car became an everyday part of people’s lives.

In the finale of the three part series, James explores how aspiration and wealth drove the development of some of the greatest cars ever made such as the Rolls Royce, Lamborghini and Porsche. James also reveals his ultimate people’s car which he deems to be the greatest vehicle in history.

James May visited Discovery Park in Sandwich for episode three where he drives a car around the industrial site.

James May standing by a Renault 4 and Citroën 2CV in a farmyard in front of a barn in Blois, France

James May © BBC Worldwide/Rod Fountain 2

Discovery Park is the former head quarters of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and after a change of ownership in 2012, is fast becoming Europe’s leading science and technology park. The site offers a hub for the science, technology, business and enterprise sectors and boasts large office complexes, scientific laboratories, warehouses and plants.

Discovery Park has previously been used as a film location by productions such as feature film World War Z (2013) and Sky Atlantic thriller The Tunnel (2013).

Don’t miss the final episode of James May’s Cars of People which features Discovery Park and can be seen on Sunday 24th August 2014 on BBC Two at 21:00.

 

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

World War Z (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
World War Z - Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) standing in front of a queue of taxis

World War Z – Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) © Paramount Pictures

Director: Marc Forster

Writers: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard and Damon Lindelof (screenplay) and Max Brooks (novel)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Sterling Jerins, Matthew Fox, James Badge Dale

Production Company: Skydance Productions, Hemisphere Media Capital, GK Films, Plan B Entertainment, 2DUX²

Kent locations used: Discovery Park, Sandwich

World War Z is an apocalyptic action, sci-fi film starring Brad Pitt (Fight Club, Oceans Trilogy) as United Nations researcher Gerry Lane who is forced to leave his family to travel across the world in a race against time to try and stop the zombie pandemic that is threatening to decimate humanity itself.

Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) running with soldiers down a street

Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) © Paramount Pictures

Based on the 2006 bestselling novel of the same name by author Max Brooks, the film is directed by Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace, Monster’s Ball)from a screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan (Lions for Lambs, State of Play) Drew Goddard (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Lost) and Damon Lindelof (Lost, Star Trek – Into Darkness).

Brad Pitt is a supported by Mireille Enos (The Killing), Sterling Jerins (Deception), Matthew Fox (Lost) and James Badge Dale (The Departed).

In September and October 2012, the World War Z production team visited Discovery Park in Sandwich, Dover to use the offices and laboratories  to shoot scenes where Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) tries to find a cure for the zombie pandemic.

Discovery Park is the former head quarters of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. It offers large office complexes, scientific laboratories, warehouses and plants. 

Discovery Park has previously been used as a film location by  Sky Atlantic drama, The Tunnel (2013) and new BBC series James Mays Cars of People due out in 2014.

Don’t miss World War Z which is out in cinemas on Friday June 21st 2013.

 

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

Son of Rambow (2008)

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Will Pouter and Bill Milner standing in front of a lake in uniform, both with moody looks on their faces

Will Pouter as Lee Carter and Bill Milner as Will © Optimum Releasing

Director and Writer: Garth Jennings

Production Company: Hammer & Tongs, Celluloid Dreams, Good Film Productions, Arte France Cinéma, Network Movie Film-und Fernsehproduktion, Reason Pictures, Soficinéma 2, Soficinéma 3, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF)

Kent Filming Locations: Richborough Power Station, Sandwich

Set during a long English summer in the 80’s, two boys, Will (Bill Milner) and Lee Carter (Will Poulter) watch a pirate copy of Rambo: First Blood and set about making their own version.

Bill Milner crouched on the ground of a forest staring away from the camera

Bill Milner as Will Proudfoot in Son of Rambow © Optimum Releasing

Will’s religious upbringing means that he has never been allowed to watch TV, listen to music or mix with the outside world, whilst Lee is the school’s trouble maker, known for his crazy home videos. After his first film viewing Will is persuade to partake in some death defying stunts; all in the name of Lee’s next filming project.

Will’s imaginative mind is not only given the chance to flourish in the world of film making, but also called upon to to dream up elaborate schemes to keep his new friendship a secret from his family.

The disused power station at Richborough, near Sandwich, provided the perfect backdrop for the kids to perform their crazy stunts and run wild. Abandoned in the mid 90’s,  the power station has now been demolished.

Sandwich is a medieval town situated on the River Stour and boasts golf clubs, eateries and B&B’s as well a museum, windmill and Roman Fort. The nearby Discovery Park has been used used for filming projects such as The Tunnel (2013) and World War Z (2013).

The film was released in cinemas in April 2008 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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