Halifax named as one of UK's 'secret' filming locations that are prime for celeb-spotting

After fans of the hit Netflix series "You" discovered that the fourth series of the show will be set in London, interest was sparked to see what other areas of the UK have provided an unexpected backdrop for blockbuster TV and film sets?

Betway have done some digging, and compiled a list of cities you may not have realised were recent film sets.

1. Manchester

Manchester has become quite the filming hotspot thanks to its unique cobbled streets, canals, bridges, Victorian-esque buildings, and quirky zigzag fire escapes.

Period crime drama “Peaky Blinders”, starring Cillian Murphy, has made use of the city's trendy Northern Quarter, and more industrial-looking Castlefield to depict early 20th century Birmingham, which helps give the series a sense of authenticity.

The Northern Quarter has more recently become the backdrop for “Culprits”, an upcoming Disney Plus series. The “dark heist comedy” will star Gemma Arterton and Eddie Izzard who were recently spotted filming a shoot-out scene on Lever Street.

Some parts of Manchester, such as Dale Street in the Northern Quarter, are often used by film crews as New York City’s screen stunt double. Marvel blockbuster “Captain America: The First Avenger” utilised this street to help depict The Big Apple in the 1940s.

2. Liverpool

Over the last couple of years, Liverpool became the backbone of Gotham City for DC’s newest film, “The Batman”. Starring Robert Pattinson as Batman, filming for the blockbuster began back in 2020 before the Covid pandemic.

Filming took place in multiple locations across the city including The Royal Liver Building which became Gotham City Police Department, St. George’s Hall doubled as Gotham City Hall and Gotham's cemetery was brought to life in Anfield Cemetery.

Liverpool was the primary location for filming, although parts of London and Glasgow also transformed into the new Gotham City.

3. Glasgow

Aside from the latest Batman movie heading up north to Glasgow, the upcoming DC superhero film “Batgirl”, set to be released later this year, also utilised the city’s urban locations, architecture and landscape to double up as Gotham City.

Production back in November 2021, primarily shooting indoors on a set within the old North Glasgow College in Springburn. However, the main square became the leading backdrop for exterior shooting as well as Trongate, Saltmarket, the Botanic Gardens, Merchant City and St Vincent Street.

Eager fans across the city caught glimpses of some of the movies starring actors including Leslie Grace as Batgirl and JK Simmons who will play police commissioner James Gordon.

4. Halifax

Calderdale has been the backdrop for a lot of successful films and TV series including "Happy Valley", "Gentleman Jack" and "Last Tango in Halifax” thanks to its incredible landscape and unique country houses.

More recently, filming took place in Halifax for a new Marvel Disney Plus show “Secret Invasion” starring Samuel L Jackson, Olivia Colman, Ben Mendelsohn and Emilia Clarke. The Piece Hall was a major filming location for the new series, which is expected to be released in 2023.

Filming also took place in other parts of West Yorkshire such as Leeds and Huddersfield, with production also set to move to Europe.

5. London

It’s no surprise that the big smoke is a popular filming location but, it might come as a surprise that Crystal Palace Park recently stood in for New York’s Central Park in the latest Marvel film “Morbius”.

Certain features in Crystal Palace Park reflect the architecture of Central Park such as its steps and statues. Also, as the park is on a hill, the New York City skyline could easily be dropped into the background in post-production.

6. Belfast

Northern Ireland has garnered a reputation among production crews as the perfect cinematic backdrop thanks to iconic shows like “Game of Thrones”, “Line of Duty” and “Derry Girls”.

Streaming services have also begun taking advantage of Northern Ireland as an upcoming Netflix heist comedy “Lift”, starring US actor Kevin Hart, was recently filming in the capital city, as well as young adult fantasy film “The School for Good and Evil”, also filmed in Belfast, and set to air on Netflix later this year.

Despite this, it may be surprising to discover that Kenneth Branagh’s latest blockbuster film “Belfast” was mostly filmed in England, as lockdown prevented filming on location in the Northern Irish capital. The “Belfast” movie still provided a fabulous representation of the city, which will help continue to attract big productions. Belfast is also well known for doubling as other English cities such as London in “Marcella” and the Midlands for “Line of Duty”.