TV & Showbiz

New TV series following on from smash-hit film Boiling Point begins filming in Manchester

The series will see Stephen Graham, Vinette Robinson, and Hannah Walters reprise their roles from the multi award-winning film.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd February 2023

The full cast for a brand-new TV series that follows on from one last year’s most critically-acclaimed films has been released.

And filming for it has already begun right here in Manchester.

In case you haven’t had the chance to watch 2022’s fast-paced and tension-filled Boiling Point yet, the film is set on the busiest night of the year at one of the hottest restaurants in London.

Written and directed by breakthrough British filmmaker Philip Barantini, the film stars beloved Northern actor Stephen Graham as charismatic and commanding head chef Andy Jones, who balances along a knife’s edge as multiple personal and professional crises threaten to destroy everything he’s worked for.

The film was met with huge acclaim from fans and critics when it was released back at the start of last year, and even went on to be nominated worldwide for over 30 awards in multiple categories, including clinching wins at the BAFTAs, BIFAs, National Film Awards, and more.

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So it’s no wonder the BBC has scooped it up for a follow-up TV series, is it?

Set to hit our screens soon, the series – which is also titled Boiling Point – picks up six months on from where the film left off, and, according to the plot teaser on the BBC website, sees Sous Chef Carly as Head Chef at her own restaurant, with many of Andy’s original team alongside her.

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As the pressure mounts to keep the restaurant full, Carly begins to feel the magnitude of responsibility that comes with running her own place.

The series will see Stephen Graham, Vinette Robinson (Carly), and Hannah Walters (Emily) reprise their roles from the multi award-winning film.

The three leads will be joined by their co-stars Ray Panthaki (Freeman), Gary Lamont (Dean), Áine Rose Daly (Robyn), Taz Skylar (Billy), Daniel Larkai (Jake) Stephen McMillan (Jamie), Hannah Traylen (Holly), and Izuka Hoyle (Camille).

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Several other newcomers are also joining the celebrated cast of actors.

New TV series following on from smash-hit film Boiling Point begins filming in Manchester / Credit: Vertigo

The Boiling Point series also reunites the film’s co-writer and director Philip Barantini, who will direct episodes one, two and five, and co-writer James Cummings, alongside the film’s producers.

“We are over the moon to get the band back together,” Boiling Point’s executive producers admitted.

“Not only that, we are excited to introduce new members to the Boiling Point family, and we are immensely grateful to the BBC for giving us this moment and we are all raring to get going on the series.”

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No official release dates for the new series have been announced as of yet, but fans might want to keep their eyes peeled to see the show filming around the city centre.

Featured Image – Christian Black / Saban Films

TV & Showbiz

The reason why Stockport station has been temporarily renamed to ‘Scottport’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Why has Stockport train station has been renamed to 'Scottport'?

Anyone passing through Stockport station this morning may have been a bit confused and potentially panicked that they got on the wrong train after seeing the name ‘Scottport’ out the window.

But fear not, they arrived at their destinations as intended and it wasn’t just a badly spelt new sign either – here’s why…

You may or may not have heard that North West broadcaster Zoe Ball recently finished her final show as the host of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show, having spent six years in the popular radio slot.

This Monday (27 January) was her replacement’s first day at work and if you haven’t already put two and two together, we’ll happily walk you the rest of the way there.

With fellow radio veteran Scott Mills being chosen as her replacement, the Eastleigh-born presenter made his debut as the new Breakfast Show host to kick off not only a new week but a new era – and to mark the occasion, Stockport railway station has changed its name for Scottport for the day.

As far as we know, the former Radio 1 has no other connection to Greater Manchester or SK in particular, but the route does connect the BBC’s Broadcasting House in the capital to their Northern hub in MediaCityUK, Salford Quays.

Having stepped away from Radio 1 back in 2022 a whopping 24 years, Mills previously replaced Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2.

The 51-year-old stood in for Ball back in September 2024 after she took a few weeks off which looks to have proven a more than worthy trial shift as he now takes over the early morning slot full-time.

Speaking from the Radio 2 helm for the first time, Mills began by saying: “As a radio presenter and a radio fan all my life, I’m still finding it quite hard to process that this is happening, if I’m honest.

“If I think too much about the previous occupiers of this show it becomes mind-blowing to me for a kid who wanted to be on the radio, but wasn’t sure he had the self-confidence to be able to actually do it.”

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This, of course, isn’t the first time a similar rail-related PR stunt like this has been carried out as Brighton train station famously changed its name to ‘Blyton’ last year as it welcomed back 14-year-old Paralympian, Bly Twomey, following her double bronze medal success.

Meanwhile, Trevor Nelson (who presented in the evenings from Monday to Thursday) will now replace Mills as the presenter of the 2-4pm weekday afternoon show from today onwards.

Not everyone has welcomed the change, however, as many listeners switched off within minutes of the latter’s first show after taking issue with his first song choice: ‘Rock DJ’ by Robbie Williams, who later came on the phone to congratulate him.

What do you make of the appointment – is Scott Mills a good fit and will you be listening?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — El Pollock/Helen K (via Geograph)/@natewwlie (via X)

TV & Showbiz

Famous films and TV shows that were shot around Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The streets of Manchester are often taken over and transformed by huge productions for TV shows and for blockbuster films

It’s a pretty common occurrence in the city to stumble across a huge set, whether it’s New York-style taxis cruising through the Northern Quarter or stunt men dangling from the top of buildings.

It’s also quite common to be settling down in the cinema, or at home with Netflix, and being greeted by an unexpectedly familiar scene on the screen.

In recent years, eagle-eyed viewers were kept busy trying to spot all the local locations scattered across smash hit Netflix drama Stay Close.

But there have been plenty of other instances where our hometown of Manchester has been a calling point for Hollywood films and hit series.

Now, there’s even a map of all the biggest films and TV shows that have been filmed here in Manchester, which you can use to head out exploring.

The Manchester Film and TV map has itineraries, behind-the-scenes information, and exclusive experiences to enhance their cinematic journey through Greater Manchester.

Bobby Cochrane, Film Office Manager at Screen Manchester, said: “Every day we are privileged to explore Manchester’s magnificence as we open the city up to producers from all corners of the globe. We then enjoy the greatest job satisfaction when locations we have secured appear in all manner of genres across a spectrum of platforms.

“This new map is a brilliant initiative, which will allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the places where their on-screen heroes have played out their roles. We were delighted to help curate the information included and look forward to being able to add a whole host of new locations in the future thanks to a rich pipeline of productions filmed in the city releasing throughout 2025 and beyond.”

And in the meantime, here are some of the biggest films and television series that were shot here in Manchester so you can explore without leaving your couch.

Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders scenes filmed on Mangle Street in the Northern Quarter. Credit: Netflix UK

Cillian Murphy and co have frequently popped up to Manchester to film scenes of the hit gangster series – despite the Peaky Blinders actually living in Birmingham.

For the most recent series, huge sets and crews were spotted in Castlefield, while in previous years dramatic gun fights have been filmed around London Road Fire Station and on Mangle Street in the Northern Quarter.

Even Tommy Shelby’s massive mansion is up north – Netflix uses Arley Hall in Cheshire to double up as his pad.

Some of the most iconic moments in the drama were filmed here, like the horse auction at Victoria Baths, and the political rally outside the Stockport Plaza.

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice at Lyme Park. Credit: BBC

Ah yes – Colin Firth in a wet shirt. A truly memorable moment of British television.

This legendary scene was filmed at Lyme Park in Cheshire as part of the BBC’s 1995 retelling of Pride and Prejudice.

So famous has wet Colin become, it’s been referenced in several of his films since, including Love Actually, Bridget Jones, and St Trinian’s.

Colin aside, it’s a stunning setting for the period drama, with the National Trust mansion rising high above the lake.

Captain America

Captain America scenes shot in the Northern Quarter

It’s not every day you see a Marvel superhero strolling past the cafes and bars in the Northern Quarter – but that’s exactly what happened back in 2010 when Captain America came to town.

The hero is seen sprinting through 1940s New York in a dramatic chase scene, complete with explosions… because Marvel.

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It was a massive operation to dress the sets, with fake shop fronts installed, posters stuck up and even temporary street lights added in.

The Crown

The Crown scenes in Manchester. Credit: Netflix UK

Stevenson Square was completely transformed into Manhattan for the season four finale of The Crown, which showed Princess Diana’s trip to New York.

A fleet of yellow taxis and vintage cars rolled through the Northern Quarter, surrounded by American street signs, traffic lights, and even trash cans.

Elsewhere in the episode, the city centre’s streets were used for basketball games, hospital visits and more, right across Back Piccadilly, Dale Street, and Peter Street.

Stay Close

The Refuge in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK

It’s the Netflix show people haven’t stopped talking about this month, as another of Harlan Coben’s thrillers has been converted for TV.

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Stay Close was filmed all over Greater Manchester and the north west, including Blackpool and parts of Lancashire.

There were multiple locations in Manchester city centre itself though, like the above hen do scene in The Refuge, a stag do in the The Edwardian hotel, and multiple scenes filmed inside Impossible.

It’s a Sin

It’s A Sin outside Clampdown Records in Manchester. Credit: Channel 4

It’s A Sin is one of Channel 4’s most sensational dramas of all time, following the lives of a group of gay men living through the early years of the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

The heart-breaking series was written by Russell T Davis, an adopted Manc who also shot his groundbreaking Queer as Folk in the city.

Although It’s A Sin is mostly set in London, it was a familiar Manchester setting that was used for ‘The Pink Palace’ where the characters lived.

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Clampdown Record’s cheerfully retro signage didn’t even need updating for the 1980s programme.

The Stranger

The Stranger filming on St Peter’s Square. Credit: Netflix UK

The Stranger was another smash-hit success for Netflix and author Harlan Coben.

Its locations in Manchester included the arched walkway at St Peter’s Square, a stunning house in Didsbury, the cafe near Manchester Cathedral, and even The French inside the Midland Hotel, which was the scene of a karaoke sing-song.

Cold Feet

The cast of Cold Feet in Castlefield. Credit: ITV

Cold Feet is a Manchester TV show through and through – the stars are seen all over the city centre ever since it started in 1997.

From drinking in the pub (both The Swan With Two Nicks and The Woodstock feature) to getting married outside the Great Northern, watching Cold Feet gives Mancs serious deja vu.

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The above scene was shot by the canals in Castlefield.

Featured image: Netflix UK / BBC

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