HULL ON SCREEN
Film buffs are sure to delight in visiting this magical part of the city following the resounding success of the charming family film Enola Holmes 2, the star-studded comedy drama, The Personal History of David Copperfield; BBC Series, Channel 4 drama, National Treasure, starring Robbie Coltraine and A Royal Night Out which tells the tale of Queen Elizabeth’s celebrations on V.E Day; and global TV hit Victoria.
The latest addition to Hull’s silver screen location success is Enola Homes 2, sequel to Enola Holmes. This charming family friendly film follows the adventures of Sherlock Holmes rather rebellious little sister.
With the original being filmed in the city in 2020, The labyrinth of cobbled streets and stunning Georgian townhouses of Hull’s Old Town have once again provided the perfect setting for some of Hollywood’s finest, including Millie Bobby Brown, Helena Bonham Carter and Superman Himself – Henry Cavill.
In 2018 Hull provide some stunning locations on Hull’s Historic High Street for filming of the global TV hit Victoria starring Doctor Who’s Jenna Coleman. This award winning series based on the life of one of Britain’s most influential monarchs Queen Victoria, whose reign spanned an impressive 63 years from 1837 to 1901 and delighted audiences around the globe.
In 2019 Hull’s Old Town, home to many listed buildings, real ale pubs, and the period cobbled streets and alleyways doubled as Dickensian London in The Personal History of David Copperfield. This comedy-drama film written and directed by Armando Iannucci is based on the 1850 novel by Charles Dickens. And starred Dev Patel in the title role alongside a wealth of British talent including Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi, Ben Whishaw, and Paul Whitehouse.
But Hull hasn’t only starred in period pieces, with the 2016 Channel 4 drama, National Treasure, choosing Hull’s impressive Guidhall building to double as London’s legal district. Two Harry Potter alumni, Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters, were spotted along Lowgate while filming the ambitious mini-series centred around a disgraced comedian and his family.
A Royal Night Out (2015) depicted the true story of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret’s big night out on VE Day in 1945. The two princesses roamed the streets of London celebrating the end of the Second World War. Locations such as Carr Lane, Queen Victoria Square, Lowgate, High Street and Alfred Gelder Street were chosen by Location Manager, Tom Howard because “Hull was gave us both the grandeur of a street like a Piccadilly and a nearby warren of streets that was medieval in its layout and could stand in for Soho, and both were within walking distance of each other.”
From British royalty to TV royalty… In 1985 Hull starred in Only Fools and Horses‘ Christmas episode- To Hull and Back – In which Del and Rodney are brought to Hull as part of diamond scam in Holland.
The episode was almost entirely filmed on location, using St Andrew’s Dock, Charles Street. Paragon Station and Albert Dock as the background for the Trotter’s get-rich-quick schemes. The iconic Humber Bridge even made an appearance in this episode, being only four years old at the time of filming!
Hull was the star of the show in 2022, when Hull born and bred comedian, Lucy Beaumont set her sitcom, Hullraisers in her hometown. Scenes shot in the city of Hull include the Silver Cod pub on Anlaby Road and Larkin’s Bar and BED Boutique on Newland Avenue.
Amazing Grace, 2006’s historical drama, tells the story of Hull’s most famous and influential son, William Wilberforce. It follows his decade long fight to abolish slavery despite public indifference and moneyed opposition determined to keep their exploitation safe. Wilberforce’s birthplace in the heart of the historic old town is now The Wilberforce House Museum which details the life of Wilberforce and his fight for freedom.
The Creature Below featured the city’s most famous historic vessel the Arctic Corsair. This Sci Horror movie of 2016, following the story of A young scientist who discovers a malevolent entity which sets her on a bloody descent into the jaws of insanity.
Hull along with many locations in the east riding provided the perfect setting for South Riding a 2011 mini series. This 1930’s period drama saw a spirited new headmistress brings inspiration and modern ideas to an all girls’ school and shakes up the more conservative-minded residents of South Riding.
Paragon Arcade was used as a location in the classic absurdist 1986 British comedy Clockwise starring John Cleese.