As the nation tunes in to ITV for the third and final series of Broadchurch next week, we can reveal that the high-profile drama was based here at The Bottle Yard Studios when it filmed last year.
The production team behind the award-winning drama, co-produced by Kudos, Imaginary Friends and Sister Pictures, moved into The Bottle Yard Studios for 9 months last year. Filming took place at the Studios and a number of locations across Bristol, in addition to the show’s now familiar filming locations of Clevedon, Somerset and West Bay, Dorset.
Bristol Film Office facilitated filming at council office buildings on Temple Street, Victoria Street and Whitchurch Lane (which double as newspaper and call centre offices), Avonmouth’s Queen Street and Avonmouth Docks.
Dan Winch, Producer, said: “With our Broadchurch world well and truly established in the South West, Bristol was the perfect production base. Better still, The Bottle Yard not only enabled us the ability to house our production offices, studio and storage under one roof, it is also located brilliantly for access when filming in central Bristol or indeed the outskirts. The Bottle Yard team have been reachable and supportive every step of the way, and above all have made us feel incredibly at home in Bristol.
“When navigating your way through the many challenges of producing eight hours of scripted drama, it’s so important to weigh up every logistical aspect of the production, in order to give yourselves the best chance of achieving high standards. I can without a doubt say that our set up at The Bottle Yard helped us hugely and I very much hope to return there with work in the not too distant future.”
Fiona Francombe, The Bottle Yard Studios’ Site Director says: “Broadchurch is a phenomenon in its own right and an exceptional title to add to our credits. It was an honour to have Dan and the team here at The Bottle Yard Studios and we’re glad to have delivered the space and the privacy the cast and crew needed whilst working on this highly anticipated final series.”
Natalie Moore, Bristol Film Office, said: “It’s a great sign of how strong the pull of our film friendly city is becoming, when a major, established production like Broadchurch can find everything it needs in Bristol, move its base here from London and also discover new places to shoot from the excellent choice of locations we have on offer.”
The eight-part series sees David Tennant and Olivia Colman reprise their roles as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, this time investigating a serious sexual assault. Cast additions include Julie Hesmondhalgh, Charlie Higson, Sir Lenny Henry and Sarah Parish.
Broadchurch is written and executive produced by Chris Chibnall (Malaterra, The Great Train Robbery, Torchwood) for Imaginary Friends and Jane Featherstone (River, Humans, Utopia) for Sister Pictures. Dan Winch (Indian Summers II, What We Did On Our Holiday) is the producer. It is directed by Paul Andrew Williams (The Eichmann Show, Murdered by My Boyfriend), Daniel Nettheim (Doctor Who, Humans, Line of Duty) and Lewis Arnold (Banana, Prey, Humans).
Broadchurch begins at 9pm, Monday 27th February on ITV.
Hear Broadchurch’s Dan Winch (Producer) and Helen Bater (Production Manager) discuss filming in Bristol and their journey from theatre into TV in our Talent Teasers section.