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

Nurse Phyllis (Linda Bassett), Nurse Lucille (Leonie Elliott), Nurse Trixie (Helen George), Nurse Nancy (Megan Cusack) and Nurse Shelagh (Laura Main) all stand in front of a baby pink background. All five women are wearing their blue midwife uniforms with red cardigans and red hats. Behind them stand two women wear yellow and pink and holding babies.

Nurse Phyllis (Linda Bassett), Nurse Lucille (Leonie Elliott), Nurse Trixie (Helen George), Nurse Nancy (Megan Cusack) and Nurse Shelagh (Laura Main) in Call the Midwife Series 11 © Nealstreet Productions

Writer: Heidi Thomas
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Pam Ferris, Miranda Hart, Helen George, Jenny Agutter, Laura Main, Judy Parfitt, Stephen McGann, Cliff Parisi, Ben Caplan, Jennifer Kirby, Leonie Elliot, Linda Bassett, Annabelle Apsion
Production Company: Neal Street Productions for BBC
Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Much-loved BBC period drama Call the Midwife (2012-2024) is back for its annual Christmas Special, which will kick off the thirteenth series. Based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, the TV drama follows the lives of nuns and midwives working in the East End of London during the 1950s and 60s.

Set in December 1968, the Series 13 Christmas Special will air on Monday 25th December 2023. With the Apollo 8 moon mission about to launch, Sister Monica Joan fears she won’t live to see man walk on the moon, Shelagh and Dr Turner receive an unexpected parcel, and Nancy and Colette receive a generous offer which could change their lives.

Series 13 will follow from Sunday 7th January 2024. As 1969 unfolds, the Nonnatus House team are under ever-increasing pressure due to poor housing, social and health challenges. The new series will explore stories from within the Sylheti and Nigerian communities as well as issues surrounding Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Hip Dysplasia, Tetanus, Porphyria and TB.

Series 1 Episode 1 of Call the Midwife aired for the first time on Sunday 15th January 2012 on BBC One and attracted over 10 million viewers. A new series has aired every year since, along with an annual Christmas Special broadcast every Christmas Day since 2012.

The early series featured actress Jessica Raine as the main protagonist Nurse Jenny Lee, with leading supporting cast Helen George as Nurse Trixie Franklin, Pam Ferris as Sister Evangelina, Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan and Miranda Hart playing Chummy Browne, all led by the calm guidance of Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter). Vanessa Redgrave narrates the series as mature Jennifer Worth.

The more recent series feature now familiar faces Nurse Valerie Dyer (Jennifer Kirby), Nurse Lucille Anderson (Leonie Elliott), Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett) and Nurse Trixie Franklin (Helen George) . Supporting cast includes long standing characters Doctor Turner (Stephen McGann) and his wife Shelagh Turner (Laura Main), Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi) and Violet Buckle (Annabelle Apsion). Following her absence from Series 10, the much-loved Mother Mildred (Miriam Margolyes) will make a comeback in the Series 11 Christmas special.

Three characters from call the midwife looking out to sea on a bridge at the Historic Dockyard Chatham with their blue and red midwife uniforms on.

Call The Midwife Nurses ©The Historic Dockyard Chatham

During all twelve seasons Call the Midwife has made use of the settings of The Historic Dockyard Chatham to stand in for the Victorian buildings of Poplar in East London. The Fitted Rigging House doubles for the Lisbon Buildings and Rakesby Street Homeless Shelter. Meanwhile, Admiral’s Offices exteriors feature as Poplar Maternity Home and the London Hospital. The Tarred Yarn Store has made regular appearances as a Boxing Ring, Chinese Laundry and derelict building. HMS Cavalier, a WW2 destroyer ship and The National Destroyer Memorial, has also featured playing the role of a Russian ship. The Commissioner’s House gardens set the scene for a famous engagement scene in one episode, while Anchor’s Wharf and the Dockyard Railway and steam train have regularly appeared for Poplar Docks scenes. The Victorian Ropery even appears in one episode as a working ropemakers as well as various cellars and tunnels around the building. In Episode 1 of Series 11, the Sail and Colour Loft appears as the building site where human bones are found. The Royal Dockyard Church also appears in the same episode as the graveyard that Nurse Trixie and Matthew (Olly Rix) visit.

An image of an exploded bomb set, a pile of rubble and a sign saying KEEP OFF

Behind the Scenes: Special Effects filming of Call the Midwife (2014) at The Historic Dockyard Chatham © BBC (Click on image for video clip).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham hosts Official Call the Midwife Location tours. For more information see here.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham was established in the mid-16th century and is located on the River Medway. A location with an extensive history, evident through its numerous buildings and exhibitions open to the public. Today Chatham is the only one of the original four Royal Navy Ropeyards to remain in operation and, together with its related buildings, forms the finest integrated group of 18th century manufacturing buildings in Britain. The site offers maritime, industrial, Georgian and Victorian architecture and cobbled streets, an ideal set for many film productions. Recent period dramas to film at the Dockyard include Belgravia (2020), World On Fire Series 1 (2019) and Pennyworth Series 1 (2019) to name but a few.

Call the Midwife Series 13 Christmas Special will air on BBC One on Christmas Day 2023, with the rest of the series to commence from Sunday 7th January 2024.

All 11 series are available to view on BBC iPlayer or purchase on Amazon Prime.

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


The Crown Series 1 – 6 (2016-2023)

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.


Loki – Season 2 (2023)

Tom Hiddleston as Loki runs around the edge of a clock. The clock face has a smiley face on it. Each figure running along is dressed for a different time period, some in suits, one in a boiler suit, and another wearing a green cape with a large horned headdress.

Tom Hiddleston in Season 2 of Loki (2021-2023) © Marvel

Creator: Michael Waldron
Starring:
Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Eugene Cordero, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Ke Huy Quan
Production Company:
Marvel Studios
Kent Locations Used:
The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Loki (2021-2023) is an American TV programme based on the Marvel Comics featuring the character of the same name. It follows the events of Avengers: Endgame, in an alternate timeline where villain Loki becomes an agent of the Time Variance Authority, TVA.

The series was created by Michael Waldron (Rick and Morty, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and stars Tom Hiddleston (Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), The Hollow Crown: Henry V (2012)) as Loki, Owen Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Wedding Crashers) as Mobius, Eugene Cordero (Kong: Skull Island, The Kings of Summer) as Casey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Summerland (2020), Belle) as Ravonna Renslayer and Sophia Di Martino (Flowers, Yesterday) as Sylvie, Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Goonies) makes his first appearance in Series 2.

Slip 3 Mezzanine at The Historic Dockyard Chatham features in Season 2 Episode 2, doubling as General Dox’s (Kate Dickie) command centre.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Kent’s most popular filming locations. Set on the River Medway, the Dockyard spans over 80 acres, containing over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Other recent productions to have filmed at the Dockyard include Enola Holmes 2 (2022), A Spy Among Friends (2022) and Living (2022).

Series 2 of Loki (2023) was released on Disney+ on Friday 6th October 2023.

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


The Great (2020-2023)

Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning) stands on a beach with white cliffs in the background. She is wearing a historical style dress which is white with red flowers. She has a red flower in her hair.

Elle Fanning in The Great (2020-2023) © Hulu

Creator: Tony McNamara
Starring: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Gwilym Lee, Sacha Dhawan
Production Company: Thruline Entertainment, Echo Lake Entertainment, Lewellen Pictures, MRC Television, Macgowan Films
Kent Locations Used: Hever Castle, St Clere Estate, Botany Bay, Cobham Wood, The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The Great (2020-2023), a satirical comedy from American streaming company Hulu, follows the infamous rise of Prussian-born Catherine the Great as she ascends to become the longest serving female ruler in Russian history. Forced to choose between her own personal happiness and the future of an empire, she abandons a life of love and romance and vows to change a country plagued by deceit and ruin.

Series 3 sees Catherine and Peter attempt to make their marriage work after a very rocky start. But with Peter haunted by visions of his late grandfather, Peter The Great (Jason Isaacs), will he stay content as mere First Husband to Catherine the Great for long?

The series was created by Tony McNamara (The FavouriteAshby) and stars Elle Fanning (Maleficent, Mary Shelley) as Catherine the Great, Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury RoadWarm Bodies) as Peter III of Russia. Phoebe Fox (Close to the EnemyThe Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death), Gwilym Lee (Bohemian RhapsodyMidsomer Murders) and Sacha Dhawan (Iron FistThe History Boys) feature in supporting roles.

Production visited various locations in Kent for Series 1, 2 and 3.

In Series 1 Episode 8, the Italian Loggia on Hever Castle lake doubles as an Eastern European house where Peter III of Russia (Nicholas Hoult) and Catherine (Elle Fanning) meet the Swedish King Hugo (Freddie Fox) and Queen Agnes (Grace Molony). The Loggia reappears in Series 2 Episode 1 as the house in which Peter and his confidantes Grigor (Gwilym Lee) and Georgina (Charity Wakefield) hide out from Catherine’s army.

The fields of St Clere Estate in Sevenoaks were used to stage battle scenes in Series 1 Episodes 5 and 7. The location returned in Series 2 Episode 1 as Catherine’s army’s base camp. St Clere also reappears in Series 3 Episodes 6 and 8 as an army camp on the Russia / Sweden border and the frozen lake where one key character meets an unexpected end.

Botany Bay in Broadstairs features in a dream sequence in Series 2 Episode 10, where Catherine images Peter eating a whale on the beach.

Cobham Wood appears briefly in Series 3 Episode 6, as Catherine and Grigor ride in a carriage through the woods. The Tarred Yarn Store at The Historic Dockyard Chatham also features in Series 3 Episode 5, doubling as the interior of a town hall where Pugachev (Nicholas Hoult) incites the peasants against Catherine.

Hever Castle is an outstanding 13th century and Tudor castle with a moat, stunning Italianate gardens, a beautiful lake, as well as a mock Tudor Village. It was the original home of the Boleyn family. Productions that filmed here include Inkheart (2008) and The Third Day (2020).

St Clere Estate is set in 2800 acres of the rolling Kent countryside and offers stunning views of the North Downs. Some of the ground’s features include formal gardens, paddocks, a meadow, fields, an orangery, green houses and a temple by the lake. St Clere Estate has previously been used to film Road Games (2016) and Sky’s original series Gangs of London (2020-2022).

One of the most popular filming locations in Kent, Botany Bay is a sandy bay set against a white cliff backdrop with a steep, sandy track for vehicle access and small portable café. Recent productions to have filmed on Botany Bay include The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021), The Baby (2022) and Sulphur and White (2020).

Cobham Wood is a vast woodland park containing an array of vegetation and landscapes. The park is home to the Darnley Mausoleum; built in the 18th Century as the final resting place for the Darnley family, it remains unused.

A historic 17th Century Dockyard spanning over 80 acres, Chatham Dockyard contains over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. One of the most popular filming locations in Kent, recent productions to have filmed on the site include A Spy Among Friends (2022), Enola Holmes 2 (2022), and Series 3 of Jerk (2023).

Series 3 of The Great will be released on Lionsgate+ on Friday 14th July 2023 and the series is currently available to stream on StarzPlay and All4.

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


Secret Invasion (2023)

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury stands in front of a large diamond-shaped doorway with white light beaming through it. He wears a black trench coat and an eyepatch over one eye, which he has lifted to reveal several scars and a purple eye.

Secret Invasion (2023) © Marvel Studios / Disney

Creator: Kyle Bradstreet
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Cobie Smulders
Production Company: Marvel Studios
Kent Locations Used:
The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Secret Invasion (2023) is a new Marvel mini-series based on the comic of the same name. The series follows Nick Fury and Talos as they try to stop the Skrulls, a faction of shapeshifting aliens who have infiltrated planet Earth.

Created by Kyle Bradstreet (Mr. Robot, Copper), who also serves as head writer, the series has an all-star cast including Samuel L. Jackson (Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Pulp Fiction) as Nick Fury, Ben Mendelsohn (Darkest Hour (2018), Una (2017)) as Talos, Emilia Clarke (Dom Hemingway (2013), Game of Thrones) as G’iah, Olivia Colman (Empire of Light (2023), The Crown (2016-2022)) as Special Agent Sonya Falsworth and Cobie Smulders (Avengers Assemble, How I Met Your Mother) as Maria Hill.

In July 2022, production visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham and used a wide range of the site, including Anchor Wharf, the Ropery streets and the rear of the Officer’s Terrace which doubles for the streets of Moscow in Episodes 1 and 2 of the series.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a 17th Century Dockyard which spans over 80 acres, containing over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. It is the most popular filming location in Kent, having recently played host to Enola Holmes 2 (2022), Operation Mincemeat (2022) and Bridgerton (2020).

Secret Invasion was released on Disney+ on Wednesday 21st June 2023.

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


Jerk – Series 3 (2023)

Oliver Maltman as Jack Doyle, James Norton as himself, Sharon Rooney as Ruth and Tim Renkow as Tim stand in a line in a brick building. Behind them are bales of hay and a pile of wooden crates. Maltman wears baggy blue jeans, a red flannel shirt, blue jacket, navy blue gilet, navy blue beret and brown boots. Norton wears baggy grey trousers, brown shoes, a red fez and a loose-fitting yellow and green patterned shirt. Rooney wears blue skinny jeans, a blue hoody, grey coat and white trainers. Renkow is dressed as working-class person from the Victorian era in light brown corduroys, dark brown vest over white shirt, red neck scarf, brown cap and boots and is leaning on his walker.

Oliver Maltman, James Norton, Sharon Rooney and Tim Renkow in Series 3 of Jerk (2023) © BBC/Roughcut TV/Adam Lawrence

Director: Tom McKay
Starring:
Tim Renkow, Lorraine Bracco, Sharon Rooney, Rob J Madin
Production Company:
Primal Media, Roughcut TV
Kent Locations Used:
The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Jerk (2019-2023) is a BBC Three comedy series about Tim who has cerebral palsy. People often misjudge Tim due to his disability, but inside he is still a jerk.

Directed by Tom Mckay (Drunk History: UK, Bloods), the series stars Tim Renkow (Death to 2021, Bobby & Harriet Get Married) as Tim, Lorraine Branco (The Sopranos, Goodfellas) as Tim’s mum, Sharon Rooney (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022), My Mad Fat Diary) as his care worker Ruth, and comedian Rob J Madin as his friend Idris.

Series 3 sees Tim take on a myriad of jobs, including the lead role in a movie, a drug mule, and a job advising the government on disabilities. Love could also be in the air, as Tim finds himself falling for a disability activist with an agenda.

Production visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham for Series 3 Episode 1, which doubled as Grain Island Studios, where Tim is cast as an extra in a controversial film about a disabled musician, played by the able-bodied James Norton. Areas featured include The Ropery Alley, Anchor Wharf, The Tennis Courts and The Tarred Yarn Store.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a 17th Century dockyard which spans over 80 acres, containing over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. It is the most popular filming location in Kent, having played host to a variety of productions. Most recently, Operation Mincemeat (2022), Living (2022) and Enola Holmes 2 (2022).

Series 3 of Jerk began airing on BBC Three on Tuesday 14th March 2023 and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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


Eastenders (2007-2023)

An aerial map of London with the River Thames running through it. On the top half of the image, written in white font is the word ‘EastEnders’ with the BBC logo underneath.

Eastenders © BBC

Creator: Julia Smith, Tony Holland
Starring: Phil Daniels, Matt Di Angelo, Kellie Shirley, June Brown, John Bardon, Luisa Bradshaw-White, Linda Henry, Danny Dyer, Tamzin Outhwaite, Harry Reid
Production Company: BBC
Kent Locations Used:
Dungeness, Stansted, The Ringlestone Inn – Harrietsham, St Giles Church – Womshill, Port of Ramsgate, Victoria Gardens – Broadstairs, Morelli’s – Broadstairs, Stone Bay, Port of Dover, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Joss Bay, Margate, Dreamland

Eastenders (1985-2023) is a long-running BBC One soap about the lives of the residents of Albert Square, set in the fictional borough of Walford in East London.

The series was created by Julia Smith (Angels, The District Nurse) and Tony Holland (Eldorado, Snoken) and first aired in 1985. The soap has become a fan favourite and won a number of awards, including 10 BAFTA’s.

Though filmed mainly in a studio, the production team have ventured out to Kent multiple times over the years.

In an hour-long special broadcast in March 2007, production visited Dungeness, where viewers find that Kevin (Phil Daniels (Chicken Run, Quadrophenia)) is still alive following the revelation that he is not the father of Dean (Matt Di Angelo (Hustle, I Dream)) and Carly (Kellie Shirley (In the Long Run (2019), Biff & Chip)). A tragic accident provokes Kevin’s decision to return to Albert Square.

Eastenders behind the scenes - camera crew and actors on a country road with fields and fences behind them.

Behind the scenes at The Ringlestone Inn in 2007 © Kent Film Office

For the 2007 Easter Special, production visited the village of Stansted which appears as Dot’s (June Brown (Misunderstood, Sitting Target)) hometown. The Ringlestone Inn in Harrietsham features as the place where Dot and Jim (John Bardon (East Is East, Clockwise)) stay during their trip down memory lane to Dot’s old home. Also featured is St Giles Church in Wormshill, where Dot used to go to Sunday school, and where she discovers abandoned baby Tomas and decides to take him home with her.

In 2015, production visited Broadstairs and Ramsgate in an episode where Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White (This Life, Holby City)), Shirley (Linda Henry (Beautiful Thing, Bad Girls)) and Mick (Danny Dyer (The Football Factory, Severance)) go on the hunt for their father Stan’s (Timothy West (The Day of the Jackal, EverAfter)) stolen ashes. Locations featured include the Port of Ramsgate, Victoria Gardens in Broadstairs, Morelli’s in Broadstairs, and Stone Bay where the Carter family scatter Stan’s ashes.

Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) walking bare foot in the sand. Camera crew behind him by the beach huts.

Behind the scenes in Ramsgate. Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) © BBC/Kieron McCarron

In 2018, Eastenders came back to Kent for the episode featuring the return of much-loved character Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite (Bull (2021), Cassandra’s Dream), who had departed from the show nearly 16 years prior. The Port of Dover features as itself in the episode, as do DFDS Ferries, who provided the ferry for the scene where Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid), pursued by Mel, escapes to France with a bag of stolen cash.

In 2022, production visited Kent twice. The Historic Dockyard Chatham features in the episode aired on Monday 5th September, doubling as 1979 London for flashback scenes of the Mitchell brothers. Areas filmed include Anchor Wharf, The Ropewalk and The Tarred Yarn Store.

Later in 2022, production returned to Kent for their 2022 Christmas Day Special and Boxing Day Special to film a dramatic car crash scene at Joss Bay involving Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Janine (Charlie Brooks). Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) manages to rescue them from the ocean, but he never returns.

Most recently, in 2023, the Eastenders crew visited Margate to film a final day out for terminally ill Lola (Danielle Harold) and her husband Jay (Jamie Borthwick). The couple visit Walpole Bay, Dreamland, Henry’s Gifts, Margate King’s Steps, Sands Café and the Lido before Jay is arrested and taken to Margate Police Station – the exterior of which is actually the Margate Museum in Market Place.

Dungeness is a unique expanse of SSSI shingle beach with ramshackle huts, old and ultra-modern residences, two lighthouses and a power station. This privately-owned estate is a popular filming location, having also featured in Doctor Who: The Claws of Axos (1971), Back to Life (2019-2021) and Brave New World (2020).

Stansted is a rural village in the Tonbridge and Malling district of Kent with schools, pubs, village halls and a recreation ground. The village has excellent transport links as it is near the M20.

The Ringlestone Inn in Harrietsham is a 16th century pub steeped in history, with beamed ceilings and a large garden. Harrietsham is a rural village situated six miles east of Maidstone, which has a number of historic buildings including The Old House and The Saxon Church of St John the Baptist. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) also filmed in Harrietsham.

St Giles Church is the sole church in the tiny village of Wormshill, in the Maidstone district. The Church appears to have been built by the Normans, and features in the Domesday Book (1086AD). Wormshill lies near the top of the North Downs, within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and contains a number of heritage-listed buildings.

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. The Port is a popular filming location, often doubling as the Port of Dover. Other productions to have filmed here include Not Going Out (2013), The Tunnel (2013) and Whitstable Pearl (2021).

Laid out in 1892, the Victoria Gardens in Broadstairs include charming features such as a rustic arbour and pergola. The Bandstand is a prominent feature within the gardens, as are the Clock Tower and an Anglo-Indian style shelter. Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys’ Outing (1989), The Larkins (2021-2022) and True Things (2022) also feature Broadstairs.

The first Morelli’s ice cream parlour was opened in Broadstairs in 1932. Refurbished in the 1950’s, this parlour retains a magical, vintage feel with its soda fountain, juke box and pink leatherette booths. Other productions to have filmed here include Hancock and Joan (2008), Edge of Heaven (2014) and The Lady in the Van (2015).

Stone Bay is a 200-meter-long sandy bay, with chalk cliffs, rock pools, promenade and beach huts. This quiet bay is seldom discovered by visitors. Hurricane (2018) also filmed there.

As the busiest passenger port in Europe, The Port of Dover is a very sought-after filming location. Other productions to have filmed at the ferry terminal include Disney’s Christopher Robin (2018) and the Series 7 Christmas special of Trollied (2018).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a 17th Century dockyard spanning over 80 acres, containing over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. It is Kent’s most popular filming location, having recently played host to A Spy Among Friends (2022), Enola Holmes 2 (2022) and Living (2022).

Joss Bay is a Blue Flag sandy bay, 200 meters long. Facilities include lifeguards, café, deckhairs, parasols and sun beds, and a Kiddies Corner with bouncy castles and trampolines. The Flood (2019), Sulphur and White (2020) and Dracula (2020) all feature scenes shot on Joss Bay.

Margate is a seaside town complete with sandy beach, harbour, amusement park, period housing and ultra-modern art gallery Turner Contemporary. It is a very popular filming location and was recently the setting for the Sky series Dreamland (2023) and Empire of Light (2023).

Considered to be the oldest-surviving amusement park in Great Britain, Dreamland dates back to the early 1860s and was revamped in 2017. The park has a Roller Room, vintage arcades, a fully restored Grade II listed Art Deco ballroom and beautiful rides dating from 1920 to the present day. The park has recently featured in Series 4 of Killing Eve (2018-2022), Series 2 of Whitstable Pearl (2021-2022) and Two Weeks to Live (2020).

Eastenders has been broadcast weekly on BBC One since 1985. Old episodes are available to stream via BBC iPlayer and UKTV Play.

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


A Spy Among Friends (2022)

Damian Lewis as Nicholas Elliott and Guy Pearce as Kim Philby dressed in black suits and ties sit on a beige sofa. Both look at the camera. Lewis on the left wears wire-rimmed glasses and Pearce on the right sits with his legs firmly crossed.

Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce in A Spy Among Friends (2022) © ITV

Director: Nick Murphy
Writer:
Alexander Cary
Starring:
Damian Lewis, Guy Pearce, Adrian Edmondson, Anna Maxwell Martin
Production Companies: BritBox, ITV Studios, Sony Pictures Television, Spectrum, Veritas Entertainment Group
Kent Locations Used:
The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Based on the best-selling book by Ben Macintyre, A Spy Among Friends (2022) details the defection of notorious Soviet double agent Kim Philby and his complex relationship with MI6 colleague Nicholas Elliott.

Adapted for the screen by Alexander Cary (Homeland, Taken), the mini-series stars Guy Pearce (Genius (2016), Mare of Easttown) as Kim Philby, Damian Lewis (Wolf Hall (2015), The Sweeney (2012)) as Nicholas Elliott, Adrian Edmondson (Back to Life (2019-2021), The Rizen (2017)) and Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House (2005), Line of Duty).

Anchor Wharf and HMS Cavalier at The Historic Dockyard Chatham feature in Episodes 1 & 2 of the series, doubling as a Russian ship and dock.

Chatham Dockyard is a historic 17th Century Dockyard which spans over 80 acres and contains over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. It is one of Kent’s most popular filming locations, with high-profile productions such as Sherlock Holmes (2009), Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019), and Operation Mincemeat (2022) making use of the site.

A Spy Among Friends will be available to stream on the brand new ITVX on Thursday 8th December 2022.

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


Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes, Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes and Louis Partridge as Viscount Tewkesbury stand inside a dark wooden building. Enola is holding a scrap of parchment paper and all three are looking off to the right inquisitively. Cavill wears a white shirt and a black cape-style coat, Partridge wears a white shirt, grey waistcoat and green coat, and Brown wears an old-fashioned style blue dress with gold buttons and a blue bow in her hair.

Henry Cavill, Millie Bobby Brown and Louis Partridge in Enola Holmes 2 (2022) © Netflix

Director: Harry Bradbeer
Writer:
Jack Thorne, Nancy Springer
Starring:
Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge
Production Companies:
Legendary Entertainment, Netflix, PCMA Productions
Kent Locations Used:
The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Based on the mystery novels by Nancy Springer, young detective Enola Holmes makes her return in Enola Holmes 2 (2022), where she takes the lead in her first missing person case. Once again, she will need to team up with her friends and older brother, Sherlock, to try to unravel the mysteries of the seedy London underworld.

Directed by Harry Bradbeer (Killing Eve (2018-2022), Fleabag) and adapted for the screen by Jack Thorne (The Aeronauts (2019), Wonder), Enola Holmes 2 stars Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things, Godzilla vs. Kong) as the titular character Enola Holmes, Henry Cavill (The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015), Man of Steel) as her older brother Sherlock Holmes, Helena Bonham Carter (Les Misérables (2013), The Crown (2016-2023)) as her mother Eudoria Holmes and Louis Partridge (Pistol (2022), Medici) as Viscount Tewkesbury.

From September to November 2021, production was based at The Historic Dockyard in Chatham, where they filmed a variety of scenes in the Ropery complex of buildings.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Kent’s most popular filming locations. Set on the River Medway, the Dockyard spans over 80 acres, containing over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Other recent productions to have filmed at the Dockyard include Series 1 of Bridgerton (2020), Summerland (2020) and Operation Mincemeat (2022).

Enola Holmes 2 was released on Netflix on Friday 4th November 2022.

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


Living (2022)

Bill Nighy, as Williams, stands in front of a large, grey, historic courthouse building. He is wearing a black pinstripe suit, polka dot tie, and black bowler hat. He carries an umbrella in his hand and is looking at a watch on his wrist.

Bill Nighy in Living (2022) © Ross Ferguson

Director: Oliver Hermanus
Starring:
Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp
Production Company:
County Hall, Film4, Filmgate Films, Ingenious, Kurosawa Production Co., Lipsync Productions, Number 9 Films
Kent Locations Used:
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, King’s Theatre – Chatham

Living (2022) is an English-language adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic film Ikiru by Kazuo Ishiguro, set in 1950s London.

Directed by Oliver Hermanus (Moffie, Beauty), Living stars Bill Nighy (The Boat that Rocked (2009), Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)) as Williams, Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education (2021), The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022)) as Margaret Harris and Alex Sharp (The Trial of the Chicago 7, The Hustle) as Peter Wakeling.

In June and July 2021, production visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham to film various scenes. The exterior of the Lead and Paint Mill doubles as the bomb site which Williams later transforms into a playground, the Ropery alley doubles for the streets of London, and the Commissioner’s House Gardens doubles for St James’s Park in London.

A historic 17th-Century dockyard spanning over 80 acres, Chatham Dockyard contains over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian Periods. It is the most popular filming location in Kent, having played host to many high-profile films and TV shows. Most recently, Operation Mincemeat (2022), The Nevers (2021) and The Phantom of the Open (2022) shot various scenes on the site.

A group of people sit in an old-fashioned cinema.

Behind the scenes at King’s Theatre, Chatham. Alex Sharp, Bill Nighy and Aimee Lou Wood with Spotlites staff © Spotlites

Filming also took place at King’s Theatre in Chatham, where Bill Nighy and Aimee Lou Wood’s characters watch a film at the cinema. Chatham is a historic town situated in Medway, North Kent and is known for its historic dockyard, army barracks and high street. The Last Rite (2021) also filmed a short scene in Chatham town.

Living was released in UK cinemas on Friday 4th November 2022.

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