Director: Jamie Payne Writer: Neil Cross
Starring: Idris Elba, Andy Serkis, Cynthia Erivo, Dermot Crowley
Production Company: BBC Films, BBC Studios, Chernin Entertainment
Kent Locations Used: Port of Dover Ferry Terminal, White Cliffs of Dover
Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023) is a feature film of of the popular BBC TV series of the same name. Taunted by the psychopath he could never catch and stuck inside a prison cell, disgraced detective John Luther decides to break out and finish the job once and for all.
Production visited Kent to film scenes at the Port of Dover ferry terminal where Luther follows the psychopath Robey to Norway, as well as the White Cliffs of Dover – although this scene didn’t make the final cut.
The Port of Dover is the busiest passenger port in Europe, and includes a freight terminal, two cruise terminals, yachting marina, harbour wall, lighthouses and a seafront promenade. The Port has featured in many productions, including After Love (2021), Series 1 of The Rook (2019) and Next of Kin (2018).
Director: Declan Lawn, Adam Patterson Writer: Michael Bronner Starring: Gemma Arterton, James Norton, Sarah Goldberg, Shazad Latif, Jimmy Akingbola Production Company: Rabbit Track Pictures Kent Locations Used: Dover, St. Margaret’s Bay, South Foreland Lighthouse
Rogue Agent (2022) depicts the chilling true story of career conman Robert Freegard, who masqueraded as an MI5 agent in order to extort and kidnap countless victims. When one woman falls for his charms however, she becomes the only person capable of finally bringing him down.
Production visited several locations across Dover for their filming. A driving scene was shot on Upper Road, where Robert Freegard (James Norton) gives Alice (Gemma Arterton) the chance to drive his red Ferrari. The exterior of South Foreland Lighthouse features as the holiday let Freegard stays in with Alice and Jenny (Sarah Goldberg), and St. Margaret’s Bay appears in the scene where Freegard and Jenny take a walk along the beach and discuss her student debt.
Dover’s most recognisable landmarks are its White Cliffs. The Port of Dover connects the UK with the European mainland. First built in the 1180s, Dover Castle still towers above the town, signalling Dover’s strategic importance in the defence of the country. Previous productions to have filmed in Dover include the Sky crime series The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016), Series 1 and 2 of the BBC drama Missing (2009-2010), and the Doctor Who episode Mind of Evil (1971).
St. Margaret’s Bay is a small shingle-beach bay backed by the famous white chalk cliffs of Dover and supposedly where the sun first touches mainland UK each morning. It was once the home of Noel Coward, Peter Ustinov, as well as James Bond author Ian Fleming. As well as BBC’s Missing (2009-2010) series, two episodes of Poirot were filmed here, The Kidnapped Prime Minister (1990) and The Clocks (2009).
South Foreland Lighthouse is a Victorian lighthouse perched on The White Cliffs of Dover. Now owned by the National Trust, it the first lighthouse powered by electricity, as well as the site of the first international radio transmission. The Bollywood film Rustom (2016) features the Lighthouse, as well as Series 3 Episode 7 of the ITV period drama Mr Selfridge (2013-2016).
Rogue Agent was released on Netflix on Wednesday 27th July 2022.
This new two-and-a-half-hour special for ITV pulls on its hiking boots for a countdown of Britain’s favourite walks. Britain’s Favourite Walks: Top 100, presented by Julia Bradbury (Countryfile) and Ore Oduba (The One Show), showcases the finest rambles, scrambles and ambles across the countryside and through cities to bring viewers the ultimate guide to the British outdoors.
Based on the results of the largest survey ever conducted, the top 100 have been voted for by more than 8,000 walking enthusiasts. Famous faces, including Ade Edmondson, Janet Street Porter and Robert Bathurst hit the trails to reveal their own favourites, joined by walking experts, nature aficionados and members of the public with extraordinary stories to provide a vivid insight into the the history of the trails.
The programme visits various locations in Kent on two walks, firstly the Ramsgate to Margate Walk featuring beautiful spots such as Kingsgate Bay and Botany Bay. The second walk, the Dover to Deal Walk features the stunning National Trust sites of the stunning White Cliffs of Dover and the charming South Foreland Lighthouse, as well as picturesque St Margarets at Cliffe and Deal.
The Kent Coastline is a popular location with TV productions for its dramatic scenery and convenient connections by road to London. Most recently it played a starring role in Sky Atlantic’s The Tunnel: Vengeance 2017 filmed entirely in Kent and Calais.
Countryfile is the popular BBC One show which celebrates the people and places of the British countryside and explores stories making news.
Kent features in an episode of the new series where amidst tennis season, Matt Baker finds out about Wimbledon strawberries and gets to grips with the harvest at Hugh Lowe Farms. Fellow presenter Naomi Wilkinson meets a couple who turned their love of wildlife into an animal rescue centre, looking after everything from hedgehogs to flocks of jackdaws and magpies and at the White Cliffs of Dover she learns about the long history of channel swimming. John Craven meets a farmer who is growing Chinese vegetables and produce, from pak choi to chrysanthemums.
Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law revisit their roles as the great Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsdan-Law and Order UK ) believes it to be suicide. But Holmes deduces that the prince has been a victim in a murder that is part of a larger and more elaborate plot designed by Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris- Fringe).
Holmes tracks down the clues to a gentleman’s club where he and his brother Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry-Alice in Wonderland) celebrate to Dr Watson’s final night of bachelorhood. There Holmes meets the mysterious fortune teller Sim (Noomi Rapace-The Girl Who kicked the Hornet’s Nest) whose unwitting involvement with the Crown Prince’s murder makes her the next target for the killer.
Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows was adapted by Michele Mulroney (Unlikely Hero, Sunny & Share Love You) and Kieran Mulroney (Paper Man) and directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch, RocknRolla). Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Tropic Thunder) and Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Enemy at the Gates) return in the starring roles alongside Noomi Rapace (The Drop, Child 44), Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Spotlight), Stephen Fry(V for Vendetta Alice in Wonderland) and Jared Harris (Lincoln, The Boxtrolls).
A number of popular Kent locations take a starring role in this latest blockbuster from director Guy Ritchie. The cast and crew returned toThe Historic Dockyard Chathamwhere the Punchbowl Pub fight scenes and the hanging of Lord Blackwood amongst other scenes were filmed for the first movie. Eagle eyed viewers should watch the trailer below and see if they can spot the dockyards alongside the other Kent Locations! The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular film location, havingpreviously featured inRustom (2016) and Oliver Twist(2007).
The production company also visited thePort of Dover where they boarded the Waverley Paddle Steamer to film the White Cliffs of Dover. The paddle steamer was re-built in 1947 after the original was sunk off Dunkirk in 1940 and now sails around the country offering tours to the general public. The Port of Dovercan be seen in Johnny English (2003) starring Rowan Atkinson and in the James Bond classic Diamonds are Forever (1971) starring Sean Connery as the location for a dramatic hovercraft scene.
National Trust Property Knole in Sevenoaks was also used, though you’ll have a hard time spotting the structure of the inner courtyard in its new Alpine setting. Adored by Henry VII and given to him by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1538, it later was presented to the Sackville family by Elizabeth I. The house showcases stunning architecture, priceless Stuart furniture and is set at the heart of the only remaining deer park in the county. A popular film location it has appeared in Great British Railway Journeys – Series 7(2016) and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).
Lastly, crews took to Fort Amherstin Chatham to shoot scenes for the film. The extensive tunnels were the perfect double for the Paris sewer system. The fort is Britain’s largest Napoleonic Fortress and with an impressive network of historic buildings across 20 acres, it is becoming a firm favourite for film productions. Fort Amhersthas also featured in Jekyll and Hyde(2016) and The Saint (1997). Considered one of Britain’s most haunted Forts, it is open to the public, though apparently you’ll risk meeting one of the many poltergeists and ghostly apparitions that walk there.
Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows was released in cinemas in December 2011 and is now available to buy on DVD.
Starring: Pauline Quirke, Felix Scott, Pooja Shah, Mark Wingett, Adjoa Andoh, Brooke Kinsella, Gary Lucy, Roy Hudd
Production company: Leopard Films
Kent Filming Locations: Dover – Port, White Cliffs, and St Margaret’s Bay, Tonbridge
Following the success of the first series, Pauline Quirke returns in her role as MJ – Head of the police’s Missing Persons Unit for a further 10 episodes of the critically acclaimed programme.
It is a year on from the first series and MJ is still struggling to live with her sister, who was found in the first series but that’s the least of her troubles as soon her estranged father shows up. Has he really changed or is there more family trouble on the horizon? Things are not easy at the office either, as Amy and Jason’s affair comes to an end when one of them sets their sights on promotion.
Returning for the second series is Pauline Quirke(Broadchurch, Birds of a Feather), Felix Scott(Inception, Blitz Blitz), Pooja Shah(EastEnders, Bend It Like Beckham), Mark Wingett(The Bill, Snow White and the Huntsman) and Adjoa Andoh (Invictus, Casualty). There are also guest appearances from Brooke Kinsella (Eastenders, Kid in the Corner), Gary Lucy (The Bill,Hollyoaks) and Roy Hudd (Coronation Street, Purely Belter).
Missing was filmed on location in Dover including the Port, White Cliffs, and St Margaret’s Bay. They also visited Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.
Tonbridge is a West Kent market town with a rich cultural heritage and spectacular scenery. The area is surrounded beautiful countryside and boasts castles, stately homes, gardens, farms, as well as sports and leisure facilities. The Tonbridge area has been used by previous productions including Queens of Mystery (2019).
The new series starts on BBC1 from Monday 15th March at 2.15pm.
Starring: Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates & Helena Bonham Carter.
Production Company: Canal+, Carolco Pictures, Icon Entertainment International, Icon Productions, Marquis Nelson Entertainment, Sovereign Pictures, Warner Bros.
When Prince Hamlet returns to Denmark following the death of his father, he discovers his mother has already married his uncle Claudius who has now been crowned King. They encourage Hamlet to marry his only love, the young Ophelia, but Hamlet remains troubled over his mother’s new husband. When the ghost of his father appears before him and reveals that he was murdered, Hamlet becomes dangerous to those around him.
Zeffirelli’s adaptation of the famous Shakespearean tragedy stars Mel Gibson as the Dark Prince, Glenn Close as his mother Gertrude and Alan Bates as Claudius. Helena Bonham Carter also makes an appearance as Ophelia.
Local Resident Tina Easterby experienced filming on a Hollywood film set when she worked as an extra in the film. She had this to say “In 1990 while I was studying for A levels, myself and my fellow Theatre Studies students were invited to tour the set of Hamlet at Dover Castle. As you can imagine at the age of 17 we were beside ourselves with excitement. However it only got better when we were all offered extras parts for 3 days. Hey, we were only servants but just to be on the same set as Glenn Close, Mel Gibson and Franco Zefferrelli was worth it. The castle looked stunning, in what would have been original costumes, with knights on horseback and misty, murky weather. We had a wonderful time!”
Dover Castlemakes its first appearance in the title credits for the film. Used to portray the Danish Castle of Elsinore, the castle battlements feature in one of the most dramatic scenes of the film: Hamlet speaking with the ghost of his dead father. Built in the 13th Century, the Castle is situated above the White Cliffs of Dover and has guarded our shores for 20 centuries. At the heart of the site stands the Great Tower of the castle which stands at a height of 83 ft. It is here that many of the scenes for Hamlet were shot.
Dover Castlehas featured in many films throughout its history. It appeared as the Tower of London in both Lady Jane (1986) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008). A popular tourist attraction, Dover Castleinvites visitors to experience life in Henry II’s court and visit the secret WWII tunnels, the HQ of Operation Dynamo. With its striking position within the landscape and medieval architecture it is an ideal location for any film production.
Director: Timothy Combe Starring: Jon Pertwee, Nicholas Courtney, Katy Manning, Richard Franklin, Roger Delgado, Pik Sen Lim Production Company: BBC Kent Locations Used: Whitfield, Dover Castle, Former RAF Swingate, Manston Airport
The Mind of Evil (1971) is a six-part story of popular sci-fi show, Doctor Who, starring Jon Pertwee. The Doctor and his companion, Jo, arrive at Stangmoor Prison for the demonstration of a machine that has been created by Professor Keller to pacify criminals. However, when the Doctor discovers that his enemy, the Master, is involved he does everything to stop him before it is too late.
The production filmed in Kent where they visited Dover Castle which doubled as the exterior of Stangmoor Prison the junction of Archer’s Court Road with Pineham Road in Whitfield which was the location where the Master’s troops ambush the missile convoy. The hangar at Former RAF Swingate was used as the Master’s hiding place for his deadly missile and Manston Airport was the base for the helicopter company providing the choppers and aerial footage in the series.
Dover Castle was founded in the 11th century and defended the coast of Britain for almost 500 years. It is now run by English Heritage as a tourist attraction and is a very popular filming location having welcomed productions such as The Apprentice (2015), Wolf Hall (2015) and To Kill a King (2003).
Manston Airport is currently awaiting development and boasts a runway and warehouse space. It has been used for James Bond’s Die Another Day (2002).
Doctor Who: The Mind of Evil (1971) originally aired on BBC1 between Saturday 30th January 1971 and Saturday 6th March 1971. It is now available to buy on DVD.
