As seen on screen

From blockbuster films and television dramas to documentaries and adverts, locations across the district have appeared on screen for decades and are much sought-after by production companies; it's not surprising when you think how many wonderful historic buildings and unspoilt areas there are here, plus those iconic White Cliffs!

Take a walk on the beach where The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (starring Benedict Cumberpatch and Clare Foy) was filmed, or explore the locations in Deal where ITV's psychological thriller Liar was filmed. If you travel with British Airways, you may even recognise several of our much-loved locations from their 2023 in-flight safety video, showcasing everything that makes Britain special!

Here's a selection of some famous on-screen appearances of this fantastic area, but check out Kent Film Office's interactive map for more information:

Deal

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain: a biopic of the English artist Louis Wain starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Clare Foy. Filming took place in Deal primarily on the beach at Walmer.

Pistol: a 2022 US-produced, six-part TV series based on the memoir of  the legendary Sex Pistols guitarist features scenes filmed in Deal (the beach and Channel View B&B) and Kings Hall and Marine Parade in Dover.

Liar (series 1 & 2): ITV thriller series starring Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd. Filming took place at Deal Pier, The Marina, Dunkerley’s Restaurant and Hotel, Deal Beach Parlour, Black Douglas Restaurant (now closed) and at Kingsdown Beach and The Zetland Arms.

Vanity Fair (2018): the 2017 ITV series features a scene filmed on the promenade outside The Royal Hotel. 

The Tunnel: the Sky Atlantic crime drama series starring Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy features Deal Pier (also Dover Castle and the port).

Little Dorrit: the 2008 BBC adaptation was filmed at Deal Castle.

Dover

Summerland: the 2020 film starring Gemma Arterton features a dream-like sequence filmed at Dover Castle. 

Christopher Robin: filming for the 2018 Disney film starring Ewan McGregor and Hayley Atwell took place at Cruise Terminal One at the Port of Dover and Shakespeare beach.

King Lear: the 2018 modern-day adaptation of the Shakespeare play starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson and Florence Pugh was filmed in various locations including Dover Castle, Samphire Hoe and Abbot’s Cliff.

Avengers: Age of Ultron: was partly filmed at Dover Castle. If you look carefully you will be able to see the entrance to the Wartime tunnels used as a secret entrance.

Wolf Hall: the BBC historical drama based on the book by Hilary Mantel was filmed at Dover Castle.

Into the Woods: the Disney production starring Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, James Corden and Emily Blunt was filmed at Dover Castle.

The Other Boleyn Girl: in the 2008 film starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson Dover Castle makes a very convincing Tower of London!

Dover is a prime location for history documentaries and several have featured Dover Castle, the Bronze Age Boat at Dover Museum, the Western Heights and Dover seafront including, most recently: 

• Battlefield Britain - presented by Dan and Jon Snow
• Secrets of Great British Castles - presented by Dan Jones
• Time Team, The Boats that Made Britain - presented by Tony Robinson and co
• A History of Ancient Britain - presented by Neil Oliver
• Great British Railway Journeys - presented by Michael Portillo

Sandwich

The Old Guard: the town was transformed into the French town Goussainville for the 2020 superhero film starring Charlize Theron and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

World War Z: offices and laboratories at Discovery Park near Sandwich were used to film this 2013 zombie film starring Brad Pitt.

Four in a Bed and Gogglebox: both Channel 4 shows featuring Dominic and Stephanie Parker put Sandwich firmly on the map 

Walkers Crisps advert: a host of world-famous celebrities descended on the quiet medieval town in June 2022. Gary Lineker, Pamela Anderson, JLS, Frank Lampard, Jenson Button, Al Murray, and Marco Pierre White all took part to the delight of the locals who witnessed the filming in their historic town.

The White Cliffs and Samphire Hoe

Renowned local wildlife cameraman, Richard Taylor Jones has filmed, presented and captivated us with the water voles along our riverbanks, ravens on the White Cliffs, and 'the secret seals of the South East' with fascinating filming on the Goodwin Sands and further along the coast with the help of Dover Sea Safari. These reports and enchanting films have been featured on the popular BBC's Autumnwatch, Springwatch and Countryfile.

In July 2013, British Airways' first A380 and a jet from the Red Arrows team joined up for a flypast over the iconic White Cliffs.  

Citadel: the 2023 action-packed Amazon mini-series about a global spy agency called ‘Citadel’ was partly filmed at Samphire Hoe and Abbot's Cliff. 

If you would like permission to film in White Cliffs Country please visit Dover District Council’s website or Kent Film Office.