tv entertainment

Couples Come Dine With Me (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

close up of a dinning table with striped chairs and wine glasses

Couples Come Dine With Me © Channel 4

 

Production company: ITV Studios, Shiver Productions

Kent Locations: Bearsted, Kings Hill, Maidstone

Channel 4’s popular show returns with a twist: in this series, couples work together to host the best dinner party for a cash prize!

Come Dine With Me started in 2005 and has proved very popular with audiences. In episode 10 of the new series, the show follows three West Kent couples, including married West End performers Millie and Andy, newlyweds Sam and Emma and dinner party fanatics Alex and Richard. Whose efforts will be judged victorious?

The production filmed the West Kent contestants in and around their homes in Kings Hill , Maidstone and Bearsted.

Maidstone lies on the River Medway and is the county town of Kent offering shopping areas and parks. It is close to many tourist attractions, such as Kent Life and Leeds Castle. Maidstone is also home to The Maidstone Studios which has hosted filming for TV productions such as Draw It .

Bearsted is a village near Maidstone and boasts shops, pubs and sports clubs in a countryside setting.

Kings Hill is a housing and business development built on an airfield site which was used in Channel 4’s Cape Wrath (2008).

Don’t miss the Kent episode which will air on Friday 18th July 2014 at 17:00 on Channel 4.

 

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

 

Draw It! (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Mel Giedroyc wearing a yellow jacket standing in front of a podium in front of pictures

Mel Giedroyc presenting Draw It © Channel 4

 

Production company: Victory Television

Kent Locations: The Maidstone Studios

Draw It! is a new Channel Four game show hosted by Mel Giedroyc based on the hugely popular smart phone app Draw Something, and is filmed at Kent’s very own The Maidstone Studios.

Each show sees two teams, made up of one contestant and one celebrity, go head to head in three rounds of drawing challenges, and the contestant with the least points is eliminated at the end of the show. With a £5000 prize up for grabs, it’s all to play for in the battle of the doodlers!

Celebrities which feature in the show include radio and television broadcaster Terry Wogan, actress and presenter Nadia Sawalha, dance expert Louie Spence, comedian and actress Jenny Eclair and Strictly Come Dancing Star Anton Du Beke.

The Maidstone Studios is set over an 11 acre site and boasts 5 studios, a sound stage, post production facilities, storage and over 400 free parking spaces. Hit shows such as The Split (2020)have been filmed here.

Don’t miss Draw It! which starts on Channel 4 on Monday 5 May 2014 at 16:30.

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

Sport Relief’s Top Dog (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

Gaby Roseline crouched down next to three dogs. Sport relief's top dog written in red writing

Gaby Roseline © BBC Sport Relief/Jon Cottam

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations used: The Maidstone Studios

Gabby Roseline presents Sport Relief’s Top Dog, a fun new game show testing the talents of various dogs of all shapes and sizes in aid of Sport Relief. In every episode there are two teams, each consisting of a celebrity and their dog, a professional dog and their handler and a pet dog with their owner.

Peaches Geldof- Cohen and her dog Parper doing a dog obstacle course.

Peaches Geldof- Cohen and her dog Parper © BBC Sport Relief/Jon Cottam

The 15-part series consists of 12 knockout rounds where each week a new team faces various fun challenges and games is filmed at The Maidstone Studios. The only way to stay in the competition is to defeat their component using only sausages to help them! Each hopeful is competing for the title of Top Dog which will be announced during Sport Relief on the 21st March.

Celebrity team captains include Sally Gunnell with Diggy the Labrador, Peaches Geldof-Cohen  with her retriever Parper, Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna and her dog Paige, presenter Matthew Wright with his schnauzer, Wiggy and Chef Ainsley Harriot with his golden Labrador, Bobby.

The Maidstone Studios is the UK’s largest independent HD TV studio facility consisting of 5 studios, a sound stage, post production facilities, storage and over 400 free parking spaces. The studios has previously welcomed productions such as Take Me Out (2010-2019) and Got To Dance.

Don’t miss the show which begins on the 3 March 2014 on BBC2 at 18:30 and will be shown at the same time, every week day, until the final on the 21 March 2014.

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

Edge of Heaven (2014)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

 

Edge of Heaven cast standing in front of a hotel

Edge of Heaven © Hartswood Films/ITV

Starring: Blake Harrison, Justine Michelle Cain, Camille Coduri, Nitin Kundra, Laura Checkley, Louisa Lytton, Marcia Warren, Adrian Scarborough, Robert Evans

Production company: Hartswood Films

Kent Locations: Margate, Broadstairs, Morelli’s and Morgan’s

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) standing by the seaside with the beach and town behind him

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) © Hartswood Films/ITV

Edge of Heaven is a new six part ITV comedy drama series which displays life at Margate’s finest , and only, ‘80s themed B&B, run by the chaotic Taylor-Chatterjee family,  Wham!-loving Judy and her black pudding enthusiast Husband Tandeep,  and her grown up children, demobbed soldier Ann-Marie and Alfie, whose life is going badly ever since his fiancée Carly left him at the altar.

Edge of Heaven is a Hartswood Films production for ITV, and is produced by Elaine Cameron (Sherlock, Jekyll) and Paul McKenzie (Sadie J, Dani’s House). The series was written by Robert Evans (Stella), who also stars in the sitcom.

The comedy will feature Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners), Justine Michelle Cain (Some Girls), Camille Coduri (Doctor Who), Nitin Kundra (Steel River Blues), Laura Checkley (Rosemary and Thyme), Louisa Lytton (EastEnders), Marcia Warren (Vicious) and Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey).

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) carrying JUSTINE CAIN (Carly) across the sandy beach

BLAKE HARRISON (Alfie) and JUSTINE CAIN (Carly) © Hartswood Films/ITV

The production visited Margate and Broadstairs between September and October 2013 to film on location and shoot exterior scenes including the B&B which is in Albert Terrace. The interiors of the B&B were filmed at Longcross Studios.

Margate is the quintessential British seaside town, with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, and historic architecture. The town has lots to offer, including Turner Contemporary, quirky shops, independent galleries and trendy cafes. Margate is a popular filming location, having previously welcomed productions like True Love (2012) and The Apprentice (2009).

Broadstairs is in East Kent offers a sandy beach, Viking Bay lined with traditional beach huts, a band stand and large Victorian terraces as well as a busy high street and many food and drink establishments. The area has previously been used as a film locations by Eastenders (2015) and The Fixer (2008). 

Don’t miss the series, which starts on 21 February 2014 at 21:00 on ITV1.

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

 

The Choir: Sing While You Work (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Gareth Malone conducting the P&O choir on a stage

Gareth Malone conducting the P&O choir © BBC, Twenty Twenty, Pete Dadds

Production company: twentytwenty

Kent Locations: P&O, Dover, The Port of Dover 

BBC2 series The Choir: Sing While You Work follows choirmaster Gareth Malone on his search to get Britain’s workforce singing as he aims to create distinctive choirs at five of the biggest businesses in Britain before they compete for the crown of best workplace choir.

In the first episode of the second series, Gareth visits employees at P&O which is the UK’s longest-running cross-Channel ferry service where he faces the challenge of getting the choir members together as they are all based in different locations – Dover, France and even at sea! Will they be able to rehearse enough to blow the competition out of the water? 

In the final episode shown on Sunday 22nd December 2013, the P&O ferries choir went on to win the show – a massive congratulations to them!

From May to October 2013, the production followed Gareth and the P&O employees on their musical journey and filmed them at P&O ferries, The Port of Dover and Dover itself.

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

The first episode of The Choir: Sing While You Work was shown on Monday 4th November 2013 at 21:00 on BBC2.

 

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

Big Bad World (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Big Bad World cast sat on a sofa in a cluttered studio flat smiling at the camera.

Big Bad World (2013) © Comedy Central

Writer / Creator: Joe Tucker, Lloyd Woolf
Starring: Blake Harrison, David Fynn, Seann Walsh, Rebecca Humphries, Scarlett Alice Johnson
Production Companies: Comedy Central Films, Objective Productions
Kent Locations Used: Herne Bay, The Diver’s Arms, Port of Ramsgate

Big Bad World (2013) is a Comedy Central series about university graduate Ben, played by Blake Harrison (Kate & Koji (2020-2022), The Inbetweeners (2010)), who returns home to Great Yarmouth to find that not much has changed in the three years he has been away.

As well as Blake Harrison, the show has many familiar faces from the world of comedy including Seann Walsh (Bad Move, The Bystanders), Rebecca Humphries (The Crown (2016-2022), Ten Percent), David Fynn (Am I Being Unreasonable?, The Mauritanian) and Scarlett Alice Johnson (The Good Karma Hospital, Pramface).

The series was created by Lloyd Woolf (Parents, Cowards) and Joe Tucker (Black Ops, Witless).

Ramsgate and Herne Bay double for Ben’s hometown of Great Yarmouth throughout the series. In Episode 2, Ben boards a boat at the Port of Ramsgate to trick Lucy into believing he’s going to work on an oil rig. After being thrown off the boat, he climbs the step onto Royal Harbour Approach Rd and is then driven home by Beth along the Royal Esplanade.

Beth tries to raise money for charity in Great Yarmouth town centre, actually filmed on Mortimer Street and William Street in Herne Bay. In Episode 8, Ben gets his hair cut at Cube Hair Design in Mortimer Street. Herne Bay Promenade and the exterior of Cain’s Amusements on Central Parade feature throughout the series. The Diver’s Arms appears in Episode 3, as one of the pubs the gang visit for Oakley’s birthday.

Ramsgate is a beautiful coastal town which boasts a beach, amusements, arcades, shops, eateries and a theatre as well as the Thanet District Council managed Port of Ramsgate, the only Royal Harbour Marina in the country. Ramsgate has provided back drops for productions such as True Love (2012), Johnny English Reborn (2011) and Ruby Blue (2008).

Herne Bay is part of the Canterbury district in South East Kent and has a popular shingle beach, beautiful coastline and seafront gardens. The town also has many shops and eateries, amusement arcades, a windmill and some interesting architecture including a Victorian bandstand. Productions that have chosen to film in Herne Bay include The Things I Haven’t Told You (2008) and French Dressing (1964).

Big Bad World (2013) began airing on Comedy Central on Wednesday 21st August 2013 and is now available to purchase on Amazon Prime.

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

Not Going Out (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

(L-R) Lucy holding Daisy mask, Daisy holding Lee Mask & Lee holding Lucy mask. Lucy (SALLY BRETTON), Daisy (KATY WIX), Lee (LEE MACK)

Not Going Out © BBC, Avalon, Neil Genower

 

Writer: Lee Mack
Director: Alex Hardcastle and Nick Wood
Starring:  Lee Mack, Sally Bretton, Hugh Dennis, Abigail Cruttenden, Bobby Ball
Production Company: Avalon Television
Kent Locations Used: Port of Ramsgate

Popular BBC comedy sitcom Not Going Out is about Lee who has been drifting through life and his landlady Lucy who happens to be the woman of his dreams.

Now in its sixth series, Not Going Out is perfect Friday night viewing, with comedian Lee Mack taking the lead role, supported by Sally Bretton, Miranda Hart , Bobby Ball and Katy Wix.

The Not Going Out production visited Port of Ramsgate to film part of the last episode of the sixth series, entitled ‘Boat’. Lee’s dad, Frank (Bobby Ball) has bought a boat and invites Lee and his friends down for the weekend. When they arrive at Port of Ramsgate, which is doubling for Eastbourne, the boat is not what everyone expected!

Port of Ramsgate is managed by Thanet District Council and is the only Royal Harbour in the country. Ramsgate itself is a beautiful coastal town which boasts visually stunning Victorian architecture, a beach, amusements, arcades, shops, eateries and a theatre.  The area has welcomed productions such as True Love (2012).

Not Going Out: Boat was first shown on Friday 31st May 2013 on BBC One at 21:30.

 

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

 

Derek (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

L-R Dougie (Karl Pilkington) and Kev (David Earl) on a pebbled beach with white cliffs behind

L-R Dougie (Karl Pilkington) and Kev (David Earl) © Channel 4

Production company: Derek Productions Ltd

Kent Locations Used: Broadstairs, Dumpton Gap, Viking Bay

‘Derek’, written and directed by Ricky Gervais, is a comedy about ‘Derek Noakes’, a 49-year-old retirement home worker with the unique hobby of autograph hunting. A pilot episode was shown in April 2011 on Channel 4 and January 2013 sees the return of Derek in a full series.

Derek (Ricky Gervais) staring at the camera

Derek (Ricky Gervais) © Channel 4

Derek (Ricky Gervais) is a kind, simple and selfless man with good intentions who loves listening to the funny stories told to him by the people at the retirement home about the good old days. He also has close relationships with his co-workers Dougie (Karl Pilkington) and Hannah (Kerry Godliman) – expect lots of laughs!

The Derek production team visited many locations in Thanet back in September 2012, including Broadstairs, Victoria Gardens and Viking Bay, where they shot Derek taking his residents on a day trip to the beach.

Broadstairs is a coastal town in Thanet and has a sandy beach lined with traditional beach huts as well as a band stand and large Victorian terraces.  There is also a thriving high street and plenty of food and drink establishments. Previous visiting productions to the area included  True Love (2012), and The Fixer (2008).

The episode featuring Broadstairs, Victoria Gardens and Viking Bay is the fourth in the series and will be shown on Wednesday 20th February at ­­­­­­­­­­­­22:00 on Channel 4.

 

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

 

Hunderby – Series 1 (2012)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Actors running towards the camera on botany bay beach, white cliffs behind

Hunderby © Sky Atlantic HD

Writer: Julia Davis, Barunka O’Shaughnessy
Starring: Alexandra Roach, Julia Davis, Alex Macqueen, Rufus Jones, Julian Barratt
Production Company: Baby Cow Productions
Kent Locations Used: Botany Bay

Set in the 19th Century, Hunderby (2012) is a dark comedy series following  shipwreck survivor Helene, who is washed ashore near a small English village where she meets and marries a widowed pastor. However, her new husband’s housekeeper is trying to drive a wedge between them, and it appears that Helene is hiding dark secrets.

Written by Barunka O’Shaughnessy (Motherland, Timewasters) and Julia Davis (Nighty Night, Love Actually) – who also plays Dorothy the housekeeper – the series stars Alexandra Roach (Anna Karenina, The Iron Lady) as Helene, Alex Macqueen (The Hide (2009), Peaky Blinders) as Edmund, Rufus Jones (W1A, Camping) as Dr. Foggerty and Julian Barratt (The Harry Hill Movie (2013), The Mighty Boosh) as the series Narrator.

Helene being rescued in the arms of a man from the shipwreck on a sandy beach

Helene being rescued from the shipwreck © Sky Atlantic HD

In early 2012, the cast and crew of Hunderby came to Botany Bay to make the most of the quiet stretches of sandy beach and picturesque white cliffs which served as the backdrop for the shipwreck scenes and where Edmund proposes marriage to Helene in the first episode.

Botany Bay is one of Kent’s most popular filming locations due to its sandy beach, rock pools, white cliffs and highly photographed white chalk stacks. Other productions to have filmed there include Thaandavam (2012), True Love (2012) and Series 2 of Humans (2016).

Series 1 of Hunderby (2012) premiered on Sky Atlantic on Monday 27th August 2012 and is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.

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

Comedy Showcase: Chickens (2011)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Joe Thomas (George), Simon Bird (Cecil) and Johnny (Bert) standing next to each other in front of a blue background staring at feathers

Joe Thomas (George), Simon Bird (Cecil) and Johnny (Bert) © Channel 4

A quirky British comedy like no other, Chickens follows the antics of three young men who are left at home while other British men are fighting the Great War.

Production Company: Big Talk Productions

Kent Filming Locations: Chilham 

Written by and starring Simon Bird, Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners) & Jonny Sweet, Chickens tells the story of three young men who are at home in a sleepy English village while other British men are on foreign soil fighting the Great War.

Meet George, Cecil and Bert.  George is a conscientious objector. The army won’t have Cecil because of his flat feet.  Bert is a philandering scardicat, who’s on the run from the draft and insists on hanging around with them.

As far as the other villagers are concerned, they’re all the same : Chickens.

As the only twenty-something males in a world of women, children and the infirm, they have only each other for company.  Unsurprisingly they’re treated with contempt by the women in the village, but with every other man away they’re working hard to win over the ladies on the home front.

Behind the scenes of Chickens filming in Chilham- three actresses walking along the street in costume in front of a tutor style house

Behind the scenes of Chickens filming in Chilham © Kent Film Office

Behind the scenes of Chickens filming in Chilham- camera crew filming on a driveway next to the garden

Behind the scenes of Chickens filming in Chilham © Kent Film Office

Chickens is a sitcom about three young guys in a women’s world, not being useful, not being proper men, not contributing to their country – but trying to make the best of it, trying to be helpful, trying to enjoy themselves…and above all, trying not to be rubbish.

Some of the filming took place in Chilham which is a village in the Ashford borough of Kent and has a stunning fifteenth century square of black and white timbered buildings. Chilham has been the backdrop for many filming projects including  Emma (2009) and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2005).

Chickens was shown on Friday 2nd September 2011 on Channel 4 at 10.30pm.

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