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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Streamer AngryGinge ‘arrested and banned’ from Silvestone at the British GP
Danny Jones
Popular Manc influencer, ‘AngryGinge’, was arrested, fined and ultimately banned from Silverstone at this year’s British GP.
The Salford-born Twitch streamer, YouTuber and social media personality (real name Morgan Burtwhistle) was detained at the circuit after being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Ginge recently starred in Soccer Aid 2025 and is a well-known face both on the internet and in the sporting world, regularly working in and around football, and is an avid Manchester United – even featuring in the club’s third kit launch video last year.
The 23-year-old and two other fellow streamers, ‘Chazza’ and ‘Samham’, were accused of criminal damage after sitting in an F1 car whilst recording around the Silverstone complex.
AngryGinge returned to streaming after being detained by police for 15 hours
The streamer and several friends were arrested for climbing into a display F1 car at the British Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/WDSYb6MVtj
“On Friday, July 4, NP received a report that a classic Formula 1 car on display at Silverstone Circuit during the British Grand Prix event had sustained several thousands of pounds worth of damage, which was alleged to have been caused by someone accessing the display stand and climbing into the vehicle.
“Officers carried out initial inquiries, and suspects were identified. Three men, aged 23, 25 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle and taken into police custody.
“Following a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident, all three men were released with no further action.”
Burtwhistle went into more detail on the incident on socials, explaining that the trio were taken away in handcuffs and “locked up” for several hours – 15 hours, according to SamHam (Samuel Imie).
All three individuals deny causing any damage to the racecar, even despite users sharing clips from the livestream footage captured for the Red Bull online Content on the day that many argue incriminates them, or at least sounds like it – we’ll let you watch and decide for yourselves.
Ginge himself went on to detail that ridculousness of the situation, explaining how he was effectively detained for watching someone else climb into the vehicle.
He’ll be dining out in this one for some time, you can be sure of that.
He’s literally a brands dream isn’t he 😂 so quick and smart with it
Featured Images — Soccer Aid/angryginge13 (screenshot via Twitch)/Samham (via X)
TV & Showbiz
Liam is paying a subtle nod to another member of the Gallagher family in the Oasis reunion set
Danny Jones
In yet another cute and rather unexpected moment about the Oasis reunion set during the first two nights in Cardiff, Liam Gallagher paid a lovely tribute to an unsung member of the musical family: his adopted dog, Buttons.
Because rock stars do whatever they want.
That’s right, while most people were understandably keeping their eyes firmly fixed on Liam and Noel as they still try and get to grips with the fact that they’re both actually there, on stage, in the flesh, other eagle-eyed viewers noticed a subtle nod playing on the massive telly behind them.
Flashing up right in the middle big screen was a technicolour image of none other than Buttons himself, whose adorable little face appeared during ‘Roll With It’ on night one at the Principality Stadium.
I’ll share more of Buttons story today on my insta for the day that’s in it…https://t.co/B8ruKgLn4p
This video from Niall Harbison – the person who was responsible for putting the two together in the first place – was likely something the animal rescuer was made aware of ahead of time, but it’s nevertheless still a very lovely touch.
For anyone unfamiliar with the full story, Niall has spent years saving dogs and other pets from poverty and the street over in Thailand, and one of those was Buttons.
During a visit from Liam and partner Debbie Gwyther (also his manager), the pair ended up being introduced to the pup and instantly fell in love.
Arranging to have what would soon be his favourite pet shipped over to the UK, he and LG have now been pretty much inseparable since September 2023.
This isn’t the only touching gesture seen so far on the Live ’25 tour:
Buttons the dog wasn’t the only soul that Oasis paid tribute to.
The Burnage boys’ comeback was always going to be unforgettable, even if they just got up there and did little more than play the songs, but it’s extra touches like these that are helping make the memories even more special.
In the case of Niall, regardless of whether he knew this was going to happen or not, it must have been an incredible feeling to see one of the countless street dogs he’s saved, not only now rehomed and happy but quite literally getting his own moment in the spotlight.
There were a lot of little details we noticed on night one of Live ’25 in Cardiff, and who knows how many of them will remain in the set for the rest of the reunion tour, but it’s great to see Oasis being reactive and the crew going the extra mile.
'I Hope, I Think, I KNOW' #Oasis Manchester homecoming is going to be nothing short of a religious experience. 🙏