TV & Showbiz

Viewers notice that the Happy Valley cafe scene was actually filmed in Bolton

This one wasn't getting passed the eagle-eyed fans.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th January 2023

Eagle-eyed Happy Valley fans have pointed out that the intense cafe scene from the latest episode was actually filmed in Bolton.

In case you aren’t caught up, the latest episode in the third series of the smash-hit BBC drama Happy Valley hit our screens on Sunday night, (here’s your spoiler alert warning…) and it opened where the last episode left off – in cafe that was supposed to be in ‘Sheffield’.

During the episode, Sarah Lancashire’s character Sergeant Catherine Cawood confronted her sister Clare – who is played by Siobhan Finneran – for taking her grandson Rhys to visit his evil dad Tommy Lee Royce in prison without her consent.

Fans were gripped with tension and left in utter shock after the episode’s dramatic cliffhanger – in which Catherine saw a vision of her late daughter Becky, before silently sobbing as she left the cafe where she’d had the row with Clare in.

Viewers notice that the Happy Valley cafe scene was actually filmed in Bolton / Credit: BBC
Sarah Lancashire’s character Sergeant Catherine Cawood confronted her sister Clare in the cafe / Credit: BBC

During and after the episode, fans and famous faces were taking to social media in their thousands to praise Lancashire and Finneran for producing some of “the best TV ever” and some even calling the former the “best actress in the world”.

ADVERTISEMENT

The cafe scene also already appears to be on its way to becoming iconic too, with some branding it “as good as seen in any movie”.

Despite being told during the episode that the cafe the two sisters had it out in was in Sheffield, eagle-eyed viewers and those familiar with Greater Manchester boroughs noticed that the scene was actually filmed in Bolton town centre.

ADVERTISEMENT

The scene itself was filmed inside one of the town’s hugely-popular cafes – Amico Café.

Viewers were told during the episode that the cafe was in Sheffield / Credit: BBC
Eagle-eyed fans pointed out that it was in Bolton town centre’s popular Amico Café / Credit: BBC

For anyone unfamiliar with Bolton, or who hasn’t had the chance to make down to Amico Café before, it’s an independent family-run business that opened its doors back in February 2018 right in the town’s centre across the road from the Market Place shopping centre.

Named after the Italian word for ‘friend’, Amico Café has since become a popular hotspot for local coffee lovers and those looking to tuck into a spot of brunch or lunch, or enjoy a sweet treat.

ADVERTISEMENT

Amico Café says it’s a place where people can “escape the daily stress of life”.

The popularity of Amico Café was proven by the fact that so many Happy Valley fans spotted that the tension-filled cafe scene was filmed inside its four walls, and took to Twitter to point out that they had noticed it wasn’t in Sheffield.

Not only that, but some of the shots after Lancashire’s character Sergeant Cawood left the cafe showed the outside of the building and the surrounding streets.

This meant that anyone who knows Bolton well could tell it was unmistakably filmed in the heart of the town’s centre.

Read more:

The owners of Amico Café said on Instagram that they were “happy we could be a part of this”.

Featured Image – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Bez and Shaun Ryder are starring in a new gangster movie – nope, not kidding

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bez and Shaun Ryder acting in new gangster film

No, you didn’t misread the headline and you’re not on acid: Manchester music legends Bez and Shaun Ryder are set to feature in a brand-new gangster film.

Yes, the ones from the Happy Mondays – why are you having such trouble processing this?

Seriously though, we did a little double-take ourselves when we came across this news, but the familiar Manc faces look to be among the ensemble of a brand-new gangster movie by Irish writer, actor, producer and filmmaker, Ciaron Davies.

And this is just a little leak or rumour that may have been blown out of proportion: you can take it from the horse’s mouth as Happy Mondays frontman, Ryder, recently shared the news on social media.

As you can see, the new film is called Geezers and is billed as a “British crime caper” written and directed by Davies, featuring Shaun as hard-man Robbie and Bez as ‘Monk’. If you saw Ryder shaking off that snake biting his hand like it was nothing then you already know he’s hard as nails.

Although it’s not strictly listed as a comedy per se, ‘caper’ would suggest plenty of humour and light-heartedness, so we’re thinking more like The Gentleman, Italian Job, or maybe even Four Lions, rather than a serious crime thriller.

Now, while we’ve seen both of the Salfordians on screen before not only in the likes of music videos, interviews, panel shows and even as two of the funniest guests to ever go on Celebrity Gogglebox, this latest venture will serve as their respective acting debuts.

According to the IMDb page, the synopsis of the film is as follows: “Crime caper about a stolen bag of money. Caught in the crossfire are ‘The Geezers’ a bunch of wannabe criminals who have bitten off more than they can chew. With 24 hours to grab the cash, London may just go up in smoke tonight.”

Shame it’s not set on the mean streets of Manchester, or better yet Salford, but you’ve still very much caught our interest.

You can see the first promotional poster for the film down below.

Read more:

As for Davies, he has been involved with a number of small-budget TV film projects, as well as appearing in shorts and even video games, so it’s fair to say that getting 62-year-old Ryder and his ever-energetic hype man, 60, involved is quite the coup for his movie-making career.

We’re still not over Bez rather randomly delivering a curry to our offices, to be honest, so seeing him act is going to feel like one long fever dream.

Although the film has no release date just yet, we know that filming locations having included parts of Warrington and Pinewood Studios, will be produced by Loose Gripp Films and distributed by publishers High Fliers.

Given the high-octane nature of Geezers and its genre, the feature will involve lots of action, stunts, violence and even martial arts – though how much kung-fu these two will have learned for the project remains to be seen…

All we know is that the film is supposedly “coming soon” and if you don’t want to see Bez and Shaun Ryder doing their best impression of a Guy Ritchie gangster movie then you’re lying to yourself. Praying for a Rowetta cameo to put the cherry on top.

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

Featured Images — Shaun Ryder (via X)/Loose Gripp Films/IMDb

TV & Showbiz

Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Cinemas across the UK will be screening loads of classic festive films in the run-up to Christmas, and you can already book tickets.

With the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping by the day, and the most wonderful time of the year now firmly in our sights, film fans looking for some wholesome festive fun in the run-up to the big day itself will soon be able to head on down to their nearest Greater Manchester cinema to catch a classic on the big screen.

Vue, Odeon, and The Light are among the cinema chains set to screen a handful of beloved Christmas films throughout December.

Although there may already be a TV channel showing Christmas films 24/7 now on air in the UK, if you fancy seeing the festivities in full screen instead, then you can watch showings of fan-favourites like Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, and more over the next few weeks.

Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December / Credit: 20th Century Studios | Universal Pictures

You can also see seasonal screenings of live ballet, theatre, and concert performances too.

Undoubtably one of the highlights on the lineup this year, however, has to be The Polar Express, with several cinema chains scheduled to screen the 2004 animated Christmas gem to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release.

Starring Tom Hanks alongside a talented supporting cast of voice actors, The Polar Express is based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and tells the story of a young boy who boards a powerful magical train to visit Santa Claus’ home on Christmas Eve, learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas along the way.

Elf, Home Alone, and Love Actually are among the films on the lineup / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

Looking for a more intimate festive film experience this Christmas?

Well you can also get yourself down to one of Manchester’s most popular hotels, King Street Townhouse, where a jam-packed lineup of classics will be screened in its very-own exclusive cinema over the next two months.

Here you can also complete your seasonal experience with festive-themed cocktails, popcorn, pick n mix, and a whole host of other treats too.

Read more:

Head to your local cinema’s website to check when your favourite festive flicks are being screened.

Featured Image – Warner Bros.

More TV & Showbiz

Tommy Fury boxing in Manchester Co-op Live vs Darren Till

Sport

Tommy Fury announces return to boxing after dropping out of I’m a Celeb 2024 last-minute

Manchester City four in a row documentary

Sport

Manchester City reveal trailer for upcoming Together: 4-In-A-Row documentary

Davina McCall is undergoing surgery for a brain tumour. Credit: Instagram

Trending

Davina McCall asks fans to ‘say a prayer’ as she undergoes brain surgery

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches