Netflix and Harlan Coben thrillers have become bosom pals in recent years, and they love nothing more than to use Manchester as a filming location for all that action.
The popular streaming platform was back in town last year filming Missing You, a series that has immediately shot to the top-watched list since its release.
The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted more than a few familiar sights, with filming for Missing You taking place all over Manchester city centre and beyond.
You might also have spotted a few places that look familiar but not quite right, thanks to a bit of CGI rearranging the city.
Believe it or not, this is the ninth time that Netflix has adapted one of Harlan Coben’s books, and this is the third time they’ve filmed in Manchester.
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Set to release on 1 January 2025, Missing You stars Rosalind Eleazar in the lead role as Kat Donovan, a detective specialising in Missing Persons.
Starring alongside other big British names like Ashley Walters, Richard Armitage, Sir Lenny Henry; Steve Pemberton, Jessica Plummer and James Nesbitt, the series is once again produced by Quay Street Productions (part of ITV Studios).
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As the thrilling series goes on, you’ll see scenes like a meeting in Manchester Art Gallery, a tense conversation at Ancoats Marina, and even more tension (the whole thing is honestly quite tense) beneath the Pomona Island tram stop.
There are also a few scenes that take place on a band stand in a park, with Deansgate Square in the background. What the hell park is this, you ask? It’s actually Sefton Park in Liverpool, with our skyline edited in.
Trafford Town hall also doubles up as a police station in Missing You, again with the Manchester skyline added into the background.
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Our heroic main character’s apartment is slap bang in the heart of Castlefield, and even the opening scene shows the familiar sight of a bustling Edge Street.
How many locations did you spot in Missing You?
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery in Missing You. Credit: Netflix
Ancoats Marina
Missing You used Ancoats Marina as one of its filming locations. Credit: Netflix
Pomona Island
Pomona Island. Credit: Netflix
Edge Street
Edge Street in the Northern Quarter in Missing You. Credit: Netflix
Castle Armoury, Bury
Castle Armoury, Bury
Trafford Town Hall
Trafford Town Hall in Missing You on Netflix
Mason’s Restaurant in Manchester Hall
Mason’s. Credit: Netflix
Castlefield
Castlefield in Missing You, Netflix.
Featured image: Netflix
TV & Showbiz
A hilarious and award-winning Star Wars burlesque show is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In a galaxy not so far away, a smash-hit Star Wars parody and burlesque show is coming to Manchester city centre in the New Year.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Fast, funny, feisty and by all accounts, fantastic.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield in the New Year – next spring, specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
The Manc leg is scheduled to kick off on 6 March and last until 8 May, 2026, with various dates and times of day available.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Adventurous Mancs needed to take part in next series of BBC’s Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? Well, this might just be your calling then.
The BBC is, once again, casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show draws in thousands of viewers each week, and now producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea for the next seried – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Adventurous Mancs are needed to take part in the next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, ‘the physical journey is only half of the story’. That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the next series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 29 March 2026, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Daisy Jackson -
10th January 2025 
