FILMS
Batman Begins

Film and TV shows filmed in Essex Batman

Let’s start our list of film and TV shows filmed in Essex with Batman, with George Swooney and Ben Affleck just a couple of celebs to don that mask and cape. Here it’s Christian Bale’s turn, stuck behind bars in Bhutan. But why fly to Asia when Tilbury’s Coalhouse Fort’s the ideal place to shoot? Built in the 1860s to protect the Thames, it doubled up as the perfect prison for Bruce. The docks also appeared as Gotham City in the movie, too.

Bridget Jones Diary

Film and TV shows filmed in Essex Bridget Jones

With the anticipation of Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy’s release in Feb, it’s time to go back to where it all began. Bridget Jones Diary, filmed in 2001, sees Jonesy struggle to find love then initially fall for the wrong man (like we’ve all done in the past). When she finally realises Mr Darcey’s the one it seems it’s too late, as he leaves the UK for New York. But guess what? It’s not JFK airport he arrives at, but Stansted!

Downton Abbey: A New Era

Next on our film and TV shows filmed in Essex is this oh-so aesthetically-pleasing movie. Fans of the Granthams, Crawleys and co will have loved the series showing the families lives play out upstairs, with the servants leading an equally interesting life down below. But what’s that got to do with Essex? The Electric Palace in Harwich, used to recreate a Yorkshire picture house.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Film and TV shows filmed in Essex Four weddings and a funealm

We have had some classics filmed in Essex, haven’t we? Over to Four Weddings and a Funeral and Hugh Grant finding love – but at the end of the film, naturally. But it’s not without a dose of sadness, when character Gareth, dies of a heart attack (at a wedding, no less). Here comes our county’s tie, with the funeral filmed in St Clement’s Church West Thurrock.

Full Metal Jacket

Also on our film and TV shows filmed in Essex list is this corker. Shot in 1987 and produced and directed by the legend Stanley Kubrick, it showcased the sadness of war, with normal human beings turned into killing machines. Filmed in the UK, Epping Forest was the location for a harrowing scene where US marines are trained before heading to Vietnam.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One

Yup, even Daniel Radcliffe was busy shooting in Essex in 2010. The seventh instalment of the HP franchise, Harry and Hagrid – played by the late Robbie Coltrane – can be seen racing through the Dartford Tunnel on a flying motorbike. While being chased by those pesky Death Eaters. If only getting through the Dartford Tunnel was that quick and easy.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

We’ve always had a soft spot for Harrison Ford, who at 82 doesn’t look half bad (at all!) for his age. Back in 1989, Ford, Steven Spielberg, cast and crew were busy shooting in not one, but two Essex locations. First up was North Weald airfield where Harrison jets off to Venice. That’s followed by Tilbury Docks, made to look like a Venetian waterway in a boat chase scene.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Tom Cruise in Essex? Where were we? We might have missed the man that never ages (seriously, what’s his secret?) but we love that he filmed in Brentwood for this sequel. Shot in Thorndon Country Park, Cruise drives down a narrow road with a lorry coming head-on. That’s not the only time Tom’s filmed in Essex: he headed to Basildon for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. We never thought we’d say Tom Cruise and Basildon in the same sentence.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Here’s another classic for our film and TV shows filmed in Essex. Considered one of the greatest comedies of all time, it sees a somewhat dim King Arthur search for men to join the Knights of the Round Table. Then God appears, ordering him to find the Holy Grail. It sounds bonkers, but if you’ve not watched it you’ve a treat in store. Digressing aside, Epping Forest was the location for the famous Black Knight scene. All together now, ’tis but a scratch.

Paddington

This world famous mammal; based on a spectacled bear and not a grizzly, we’ll have you know; also visited Essex – no doubt to sample Tiptree’s Orange Marmalade. When the rainforest Paddy calls home is destroyed, he stows away on a ship headed to the UK. He then arrives in a London port to start his new life – or does he? Nope, it wasn’t the Capital he arrived at, but Tilbury Docks! Those location scouts love a bit of Thurrock – must be the appeal of Lakeside.

The Shining

“Here’s Johnny!” Yup, this cult horror starring Jack Nicholson was also shot in this county we call home. OK, so not all, but it still counts as one of our film and TV shows filmed in Essex. Also produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, it sees Nicholson dream of killing his family before going after his wife and son with an axe. He didn’t succeed, don’t panic. Where does Essex come into it? Stansted Airport’s old terminal was filmed as Denver’s Stapleton Airport.

World War Z

Brad Pitt in Essex in 2013 – and like Tom C we also missed him? With zombies taking over the world (while munching on everyone in their path), it’s down to Pitt to save the day, finding a vaccine to cure the world of those flesh eating pesks. And while you might think you’re looking at a South Korean prison and military base in the film, you’re actually looking at Chelmsford’s Hanningfield Reservoir, with most of the scenes shot in its underground tunnels.

TV SHOWS
Gavin & Stacey

This one’s a trick: Gavin and Stacey is meant to be set in Billericay as well as Barry, but none of the scenes were filmed in Essex. Shooting took place in Wales – even the Shipmans’ home is in a suburb near Cardiff.

Killing Eve

This spy thriller is another series to makesthe cut on our film and TV shows filmed in Essex. Following assassin Villanelle as she tries to kill – and become obsessed with – intelligence investigator Eve, one of the scenes was shot in Hylands House.

Mr Bates v the Post Office

This drama based on a true story follows the Post Office sacking and prosecuting sub-postmasters who can’t prove their innocence over financial losses. Airing last year, part of the scenes were filmed at Chelmsford’s Shire Hall.

Mr. Bigstuff

We love a bit of Danny Dyer, ‘speech when he’s filming in Essex. Revolving around Lee (Danny, FYI) turning up to disrupt his brother’s life, scenes for series one were shot on Canvey Island.

The Crown

The Crown’s all about the lives of the British monarchy (the clue’s in the title). See if you can spot Audley End House and Gardens, used for interior shots of Eton and Windsor Castle.

The Essex Serpent

London widow Cora Seaborne moves to Essex to investigate a mythical serpent. As you can expect our county features heavily, from Maldon and Tollesbury to North Fambridge and more.

The Witcher

Henry Cavill? Yum. To the plot, with a mutated monster-hunter for hire in a world where people prove more wicked than beasts. Filming? Loughton’s Jacks Hill and Epping Forest.

White Gold

Cocky Essex salesman Vincent and his team will do anything to get a sale – including throwing honesty out the window – with Basildon and Corringham both making an appearance.

And action! 20 film and TV shows filmed in Essex

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