Tessa Peake-Jones

Grantchester (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Grantchester DVD cover- Two actors staring at the camera with a church behind. Grantchester written in gold on top

Grantchester DVD cover © ITV

Writers: James Runcie (novel), Daisy Coulam (TV adaption)

Starring: James Norton, Robson Green, Morven Christie, Tessa Peake-Jones, Al Weaver.

Production company: Lovely Day, Masterpiece

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham 

ITV drama Grantchester is set in 1953 in a quiet village just outside Cambridge, where the vicar, Sidney Chambers (James Norton), finds himself investigating a series of murders alongside world-weary Detective Inspector Geordie Keating (Robson Green).

The six part series is based on The Grantchester Mysteries books, written by James Runcie and was adapted for TV by Daisy Coulam (Family Affairs, EastEnders, Casualty).

Grantchester stars James Norton (Rush, An Education, Mr. Turner), Robson Green (Soldier Soldier, Wire in the Blood, Mount Pleasant), Morven Christie (The Young Victoria , Hollow, House of 9), Tessa Peake-Jones (Poppy Shakespeare, Only Fools and Horses, The Lost World) and Al Weaver (Doom, Marie Antoinette, Me and Orson Welles).

In the UK, the series had an average audience of 6.6m and has been re-commissioned for a second series.

In July 2014, the production visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham which features in episodes five and six of Grantchester and doubles as various London locations including the exterior of Kings Cross Station, Borough Market, the exterior and interior of a warehouse and ropery. The London Convent and Gloria’s bedroom scenes were also filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Commissioners House.

One of Kent’s most popular filming locations, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is set over 80 acres and offers maritime spaces, Georgian and Victorian buildings and cobbled streets. Productions which have previously filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham include Victor Frankenstein (2015), Muppets Most Wanted (2014) and Oliver Twist (2007).

Grantchester was shown on ITV in October 2014 and is available for DVD purchase.

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

 

The Long Lonely Walk (2010)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Actor walking down the street towards a red double decker bus, There is police tape behind him

Scene from The Long Lonely Walk © Third Light Films

Kent Film maker Leon Chambers returns with a new film

Director & Writer: Leon Chambers

Production Company: Third Light Films

Kent Filming Locations: Mid Kent College

The Long Lonely Walk follows the a bomb disposal expert, a young boy and an elderly woman as they reach a life defining moment. The cast includes Jeremy Sheffield (Holby City and contestant on Dancing On Ice 2010), Tessa Peake-Jones (Only Fools and Horses) and Sylvia Syms (The Queen).

Close up of Christian Lees staring at the camera in school uniform. Another actor can be seen looking at him behind,

Christian Lees in The Long Lonely Walk © Third Light Films

The film cost just £23,500 to make and was shot both at Mid Kent College in Maidstone and at Pinewood Studios. The Long Lonely Walk was partly financed by the Cranbrook Film Society and by those who attended a premier of the film at the Curzon Cinema in London in January.

Last year, Leon Chambers’s short film entitled ‘Stolen Youth’ received critical acclaim by winning Best UK Short at the Canary Wharf Film festival and making the official selection at Sundance and Palm Springs among others.

The Long Lonely Walk is now available on DVD and was shown at the following festivals.

The Crystal Palace Film Festival – 19th July
 The Sacramento Film and Music Festival  – 25th July  
 LA Shorts Fest – July 28th. This prestigious festival is recognised by the Academy Awards.
 
The film has also been awarded the following at the Accolade Competition Award of Merit: Short Film Award of Excellence: Sound – Overall Impact

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

Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys’ Outing (1989)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Only Fools and Horses cast walking in a row towards the camera- metal globe behind them

Only Fools and Horses The Jolly Boys’ Outing © BBC

Director: Tony Dow

Writer: John Sullivan

Starring: David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Buster Merryfield, Paul Barber, John Challis, Sue Holderness, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Kenneth MacDonald, Gwyneth Strong, Tessa Peake-Jones.

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations: Margate, Dreamland, Broadstairs, Herne Bay

The Jolly Boys’ Outing is the 1989 Christmas Special of the popular BBC series Only Fools and Horses and sees the Trotter brothers go on their annual coach trip to Margate with the Nag’s Head regulars. However, the trip doesn’t go to plan and forces the gang to stay overnight where Del bumps into his old flame Raquel.

Renowned British comedy Only Fools and Horses is about the Trotter brothers who live in Peckham, South London and the highs and lows they face trying to get rich. The sitcom was created and written by John Sullivan (The Two Ronnies, Roger Roger) and ran from 1981 – 2003, becoming one of the most loved sitcoms.

The Jolly Boys’ Outing episode was directed by Tony Dow (Babylon 5, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show) and stars David Jason (Open All Hours, The Darling Buds of May) as Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter and Nicholas Lyndhurst (Goodnight Sweetheart, Rock & Chips) as Rodney Trotter and Buster Merryfield (Shroud for a Nightingale, Strangers and Brothers) as Uncle Albert.

The supporting cast also boasts many familiar face including Roger Lloyd-Pack (The Vicar of Dibley, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Tessa Peake-Jones (Marchlands, Holby City) and Paul Barber (The Full Monty, Coronation Street).

Margate was the main destination in the episode where the boys visit theme park Dreamland. The former Broadstairs Police Station also features in the episode as well as the now closed Roman Galley Pub in Herne Bay which was used for the pitstop location where the gang stop off on their journey to Margate.

Margate is a delightful seaside town with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, and period housing. The area has been seen on screen before featuring in productions such as BBC One’s improvised drama True Love (2012) and feature film Last Orders (2002). 

Herne Bay boasts beaches and seafront gardens as well as many shops and eateries, amusement arcades and a windmill. Productions that have chosen to film in the area include Got To Dance (2012) and Things I Haven’t Told You (2008). 

The Jolly Boys’ Outing episode of Only Fools and Horses was first shown on Christmas Day 1989 and is now available on DVD.

 

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