Filming Friendly Durham Past Productions
Durham has always been a firm favourite with television and film makers. Steeped in history and with spectacular landscapes and locations, the county is a film maker’s dream.
1917 (2020)
Golden Globe, BAFTA and Oscar-winning film 1917 is full of unforgettable scenes, some of which were shot at Raby Estates, in the heart of the Durham Dales. It is near Low Force Waterfall where viewers see British soldier Will Schofield make a striking escape, plunging into the River Tees.
The Last Kingdom (2017)
Blast Beach, which is part of the stunning Durham Heritage Coast, represented an Icelandic beach in the second season of this British historical Netflix drama. Created on the beach was the slave trader's camp where Uhtred and his Viking friends try to escape their slave captors.
Dark Angel (2016)
The story of infamous Victorian poisoner Mary Ann Cotton, known as Britain’s first female serial killer, inspired the making of the film Dark Angel. Some of the ITV drama, starring Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt, was shot at the award-winning open-air museum Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.
Victoria (2016)
Jenna Coleman plays a young Queen Victoria in this ITV drama series. The setting for parts of Victoria was the grand, medieval Raby Castle in the Durham Dales. The Queen’s early life, her ascension to the throne and her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert are all shown in this powerful portrayal of her life.
Joe Maddison's War (2010)
Filmed at Beamish Museum, WW2 has begun and shipbuilder Joe Maddison is too old for active service but wishes to contribute in some way and joins the Home Guard. One of the region’s most well-known playwrights, Alan Plater, wrote the script and the film stars Kevin Whately and Robosn Green who are also from the North East.
Billy Elliot (2000)
It's no surprise that part of this film, set at the time of the coalminers' strike in 1984-85, was shot in Durham, a place greatly proud of its industrial heritage. Billy Elliot, whose family work in the mines, finds himself torn between his passion for dance and showing loyalty to his struggling family. Seaham and former Durham pit villages of Easington were ideal locations for street scenes.
Harry Potter (2001-2002)
The cloisters at Durham Cathedral is where Harry, Ron and Hermione are seen walking to lessons in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and is also where Weasley’s slug vomiting took place. The Chapter House doubled as Professor McGonagall’s classroom in the first two films.
