Stay Close, Netflix’s newest crime drama which has rocketed to the top of its most-watched list, was filmed all over the north west.
A huge chunk of the hit series was filmed around Manchester and its boroughs, with some familiar landmarks cropping up throughout.
Starring James Nesbitt, Cush Jumbo and Eddie Izzard, Stay Close was released on New Year’s Eve on the streaming platform.
Its gripping plot follows four people, each concealing dark secrets from those closest to them.
The series is based on Harlan Coben’s book of the same name – the author was also behind Netflix smash hit The Stranger.
ADVERTISEMENT
And much like The Stranger, a lot of the filming locations in Stay Close are right here on our doorstep.
Impossible
Impossible bar in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
There are a lot of dark happenings afoot at Vipers, the nightclub at the centre of much of Stay Close’s plot.
ADVERTISEMENT
While the outside scenes were all filmed in Formby, the majority of the action takes place inside.
And it’s a bit closer to home – Netflix crews used Impossible bar on Peter Street to film all this, including the above scene with Michael Broome (James Nesbitt) and Lorraine Griggs (Sarah Parish).
The Refuge
The Refuge in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
In the very first episode of Stay Close, we see lead character Megan (Cush Jumbo) heading out on her hen do.
ADVERTISEMENT
The bride-to-be and her pals were actually gathered in The Refuge, the huge Manchester bar that’s part of the Kimpton Clocktower hotel building.
It’s a pretty striking venue and an easy one to spot.
The Stoller Hall
The Stoller Hall in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
One of Manchester’s most striking concert venues – and also one of its most-recognisable – is The Stoller Hall.
The concert hall is part of the Chetham’s School of Music, close to Manchester Victoria train station.
In Stay Close, it was used in a scene where copper Brian (Jack Shalloo) watches his daughter play piano.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ashton-under-Lyne
Credit: Netflix UK
Parts of Stay Close are set in a shop called Hannibal’s Animals – which was given a makeover for filming.
The unit is actually in Ashton-under-Lyne, on the corner of Stamford Street Central and Warrington Street.
In real life, the Tameside retail unit is a carpet shop.
Arley Hall
Arley Hall in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
In the final episode, we finally get to see the wedding of Megan and Dave.
Netflix chose the magnificent Arley Hall in Cheshire to film the big day.
ADVERTISEMENT
The familiar building was also used in Peaky Blinders, where it doubled up as Tommy Shelby’s house.
The Edwardian Manchester
The Edwardian Manchester hotel in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
Dave is led blind-folded through a rather familiar hotel lobby on the day of his stag do in Stay Close.
Eagle-eyed viewers may recognise the modern space as the entryway for The Edwardian Manchester, a Radisson Collection hotel on Peter Street.
The Drill Hall in Bury
The Castle Armoury Drill Hall in Bury in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
The Grade II-listed Castle Armoury Drill Hall in Bury was also used by Netflix crews for Stay Close.
The historic military building was turned into Fourways Prison in several episodes of the hit series.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Feathers
Credit: Netflix UK
Back to Tameside again – and this time to a local boozer.
Film crews will often change the appearance of a business for TV, but The Feathers appears completely unchanged in Stay Close.
The pub is on Stamford Street Central in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Didsbury village
Credit: Netflix UK
The incredible house used as Megan’s home is actually in Manchester, and a lot of the action is set here.
The property is in the leafy suburb of Didsbury, not far from Wilmslow Road.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the series, she lives in a massive house on Springdale Gardens.
Pokusevski
Pokusevski’s Deli in Heaton Moor in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
Any brunch addicts out there will have recognised this a mile off.
One of the early Stay Close episodes was filmed inside Pokusevski’s, the popular cafe and deli in Heaton Moor.
Featured image: Netflix UK
TV & Showbiz
Mancs willing to give rescue dogs a forever home needed for new Channel 4 series
Emily Sergeant
Could you give a rescue dog a second chance in life? Now’s your opportunity.
In just the past couple of weeks alone, TV casting directors have been looking for open-minded single Mancs to take part in the next series of Love Is Blind UK, and Mancs keen to test their music knowledge with the chance to win a whopping £10,000 cash prize… but now, it’s time for dog-lovers to step forward.
The next series of hit Channel 4 show The Dog House is currently in the works, and producers are on the lookout for people willing to give rescue dogs a forever home.
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs willing to give rescue dogs a forever home / Credit: Channel 4
Since first hitting our screens back in 2019, the award-winning series – which is currently in partnership with Woodgreen Pets Charity – has captured the hearts of viewers across the UK, sharing emotional stories of rescue dogs and the people hoping to give them a forever home.
Viewers get to watch incredible journeys of rescue dogs finding their perfect match.
But the show demonstrates that it’s not just the dogs who are being rescued, however, as many of their new owners also find their lives transformed in the process.
Casting for the next series of smash-hit TV series The Dog House is currently underway / Credit
“Once again, we’ll be following the expert team of dog-matchers, meeting this year’s rescue dogs, and of course, getting to the know the amazing people who are looking to offer them a lifelong home,” a casting call for the next series of The Dog House reads.
“We’d love to reach dog lovers in Manchester who may be considering welcoming a rescue dog into their lives.”
Does this sound like you? Channel 4 is keen to hear the reasons why you may be looking for a new canine companion, so anyone who fancies applying for the show is asked to fill out an application form online.
Stephen Graham sheds light on the ‘possibility’ of a second season of Adolescence
Danny Jones
Pretty much everyone has been getting through the incredible yet harrowing experience of watching Adolescence on Netflix this month, and though it may have seemed unlikely at first, series star Stephen Graham recently discussed the possibility of a second season.
For those who aren’t aware, it was never expected that the four-part limited series surrounding a young boy accused of a violent crime would be the global phenomenon it has been, nor was it hoping to secure a deal for another season: the whole point of the show was to tell a powerful but self-contained story.
However, with it becoming the most-watched thing on the platform in just four days – not to mention notching all manner of streaming records – it’s no surprise that the suggestion of capitalising on its smash hit success has come up.
Many feel the kind of narrative it tells is so important that the idea should at least be explored.
“You throw the stone into a pond and this ripple effect has been huge… But we never meant it to have this impact, we just wanted to tell a truthful and honest story.” Co-writer and actor Stephen Graham reflects on his powerful new Netflix series Adolescence, which explores… pic.twitter.com/aO3JKNYH16
Speaking in a recent interview with Variety, co-creator and lead Graham sat down with his wife Hannah Walters, who also helped write and produce the show, to discuss the reaction
When asked quite simply if any discussions have been had about an Adolescence season two, while it sounds like there’s nothing official yet, he didn’t dismiss the concept outright.
“Possibly, let’s see how the figures are, but yeah, there’s the possibility of developing another story”, says the 51-year-old from Kirkby.
It might not be much to go as yet; however, just knowing that there’s room to tell another chapter is good enough – especially given the “smirk” the 51-year-old is said to have responded with during his answer.
Many fans thought the chances of a second series had been dashed early doors after fellow co-creator Jack Thorne recently went on This Morning and dismissed the potential pretty much altogether.
In his words: “I don’t think we’re the right people to tell Katie’s story […] I think there are other makers out there that could tell beautiful dramas about Katie or girls like Katie [the victim in the show], and that those shows should be made.”
That being said, just because he doesn’t sound like he’d be involved will an Adolescence sequel, it doesn’t mean Graham might not be.
The impact of the show, especially here in the UK, cannot be overstated and not just because of the cross-generational viewing figures.
Fellow Adolescence actor Jo Hartley, who was born down the road in Oldham, joined countless celebrities in waxing lyrical over the importance of the show following what she called an “overwhelming” reaction in just the first few days.
In fact, the shockwaves it sent across Britain and beyond have been so strong that the writers have even been invited to Parliament to discuss the series’ themes and how to help tackle them better.
Daisy Jackson -
4th January 2022 
