Before We Die filmed in Bristol locations
Channel 4’s drama Before We Die, starring Lesley Sharp, filmed in various locations in and around Bristol last year.
Adapted from the hit Swedish series of the same name, the show comes from Eagle Eye Drama, the outfit founded by Walter Iuzzolino, Jo McGrath and Jason Thorp to develop and produce English-language drama series inspired by foreign-language hit shows previously highlighted on Walter Presents.
Part of the remit is to relocate the story setting – in this instance, Bristol.
The six-part crime thriller began filming in September 2020 with the assistance of the Bristol Film Office and continued until spring 2021.
A raft of Bristol locations were used, including Stokes Croft, Victoria Square and The Paragon in Clifton, Brandon Hill Park, York Road, Clarence Road and The Horsefair. The production team carried out aerial filming above a number of Bristol’s green spaces, including Sparke Evans, Netham and Castle Parks. Filming also took place in Belgium.
Describing the choice to film in Bristol, exec producer Jo McGrath said: “We wanted to set it in a port city, as that is important to the drug trafficking storyline. We were looking for something a little less familiar and Bristol is one of those cities that actually has been used as a backdrop for filming a lot, but you wouldn’t know it because a lot of series are filmed there but not set there.
“Bristol is such a visually interesting city and editorially it fitted with our storyline. Belgium also features in our drug trafficking storyline. Jan (the director) is Belgian too and we did shoot many of the interiors in Belgium.”
Director Jan Matthys added: “For me, part of the challenge was making Belgium match with the other scenes in Bristol – which was interesting. We became specialists in ‘Anglifying’ Belgium.”
Describing the process of filming during the pandemic, Iuzzolino said: “Putting in place incredibly strong and sophisticated protocols to make sure that everybody was safe and adhering to the rules gave us some unexpected advantages through the ability to bubble. This meant that the bubbles of creatives, actors and heads of departments were able to take themselves out of reality for a few months, living together to keep safe and keep working.
“They made the sacrifice, but it paid off because the performances were enhanced from all being together and living in this bubble whilst bonding on and off screen. I think this has truly resulted in great performances.”
Image via Channel 4.
Also on The Knowledge
Screen unveils Global Production Awards shortlist 2024
Screen International has unveiled the shortlist for the second edition of the Global Production Awards that celebrate outstanding and sustainable work in the world of film and TV production, locations and studios.
Jamie Dornan films drama in Scotland for Netflix
Production gets underway this week in Scottish locations on The Undertow, a new, eight-part thriller for Netflix starring Jamie Dornan.
The Global Production Awards are back!
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, our sister brands Screen International, Broadcast and KFTV are launching The Global Production Awards 2024.
Screen Scotland announces £3m funding pot
Screen Scotland has announced £3m funding over three years to develop film and TV skills and opportunities in Scotland.
The Knowledge Book 2024 – final call!
The new print edition of The Knowledge book is going to bed very soon, so please get in touch now if you’d like to book a spot; this is the final call!
Uk's 72 Films makes Lennon doc for Apple TV+
Apple TV+ has commissioned a three-part documentary series about the murder of John Lennon, from UK-based 72 Films.
