Filming & Literary Locations

As well as providing the inspiration and backdrop for many great novels and literary works, South Devon has been home to the filming of some hit films and TV shows over the last few years; which have brought our amazing landscape to the big and small screen.

The Coroner

The day-time drama starring Claire Goose and Matt Bardock has so far run for two series on BBC1, with the second series premier on the 21st November 2016.

With many South Devon towns used as a backdrop, including locations such as Totnes, Dartmouth, Hope Cove and Brixham, the show follows Jane as she returns to the small seaside town she escaped as a teenager.

The Trouble with Maggie Cole

The Trouble with Maggie Cole is a 6 part ITV drama, shown early 2020, starting Dawn French as Maggie Cole; a village busybody who unwittingly spills everyone’s secret, which is filmed in various Devon locations.  

Filming sites in Devon includes Burgh Island, Noss Mayo, Newton Ferrers and various places in and around Plymouth.  

The Mercy - Donald Crowhurst Movie

Filmed in Teignmouth in June 2015 starring Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz the film tells the story of the doomed yachtsman Donald Crowhurst.

The film was released in February 2018.

War Horse

This 2011 film directed by Spielberg focuses on the moving story of a Devon farm boy who joins the army to search for his horse Joey after he is sold into the cavalry and shipped to France during the First World War.

Sense and Sensibilty

Based on Jane Austen's 1811 novel, Sense and Sensibility is a film adaptation staring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant to name a few.

The 1995 American movie is a romance/historical period drama and focuses around story of two sisters, with good sense and sensibility (emotionality).

Saltram in Plymouth features heavily in Ang Lee's 1995 film of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, as Norland Park.

Agatha Christie

Not only is South Devon home to Greenway House, the holiday home of Agatha Christie, but it was also used as inspiration for settings in some of her novels including, Five Little Pigs, Towards Zero and Dead Man's Folly.

ITV's crime drama, Agatha Christie's Poirot also used the destination as a filming location in the episode Dead Man's Folly.

Don’t Forget the Driver

Episode 5 of the BBC 2 comedy Don’t Forget the Driver starring Toby Jones hit screen in April 2019. The episode sees coach driver Peter Green (played by Toby Jones) visit Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay. Filming for the episode also took place at the Babbacombe Cliff Railway.   

Rebecca

The pretty South Hams village of Mothecombe was used as one of the filming locations for the remake of the Netflix film Rebecca, which was released in 2020. 

In July 2019 the village of Mothecombe was transformed and used as the background for the scene of newly weds, Rebecca and Maxim (or Armie and Lily) driving through the village in a beautiful classic car, as Maxim brings Rebecca to England for the first time.

Based on a novel of the same name, by English author Dame Daphne du Maurier, the new adaptation was directed by Ben Wheatley and stars Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas.

The Cruel Sea

At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. The most successful film of 1953.

Filmed at HMS Devonport in Plymouth.

Force 10 From Navarone

During World War II, several oddly assorted military experts are teamed in a mission to raid and destroy a bridge vital to enemy strategy. Starring Harrison Ford, Robert Shaw and Edward Fox.

Filmed at HMS Devonport in Plymouth.

Tomorrow Never Dies

Tomorrow Never Dies was the first of three Bond films to be adapted into books by then-current Bond novelist Raymond Benson. Starring Pierce Brosnan, James Bond sets out to stop a media mogul's plan to induce a war between China and the United Kingdom.

Filmed at HMS Devonport in Plymouth.

Hornblower: Duty

Admiral Pellew interrupts Hornblower's wedding reception and tasks him to locate a British ship which has disappeared off the French coast, where Napoleon's troops are engaged in covert activities.

Filmed at Royal William Yard and on the Barbican in Plymouth.