Bristol’s Most Iconic TV Shows

Bristol is renowned not just for its cultural heritage, landscapes, and arts scene, but also for being a hotspot for TV productions. Over the years, numerous television series have been filmed in the city, ranging from intense dramas to comedies. Here’s a look at some of the notable TV shows filmed in Bristol, many of which have achieved national and international acclaim. Have you seen any of these? If not, time to add them to your list!

 

With the colder month’s approaching, it’s the perfect time to cosy up with a new TV series…

 

1. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, BBC Three (2024)

Starting off with a new one! This series is an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name by Holly Jackson. With the book’s gripping mystery and clever plot twists, the show brings a reimagined, thrilling narrative to viewers. Bristol provides the perfect backdrop for the show, offering a mix of urban charm and eerie locations.

Notable filming locations:

• • Redcliffe Caves

• • Bristol Harbourside

 

 

2. The Outlaws, BBC One/Amazon Prime Video

Co-created by Bristolian Stephen Merchant, The Outlaws perfectly mixes comedy with crime, following a group of strangers forced to complete community service together. Filmed largely in Bristol, the show takes advantage of the city’s mix of modernity and history.

Notable filming locations:

• • Stokes Croft

• • The Galleries Shopping Centre

• • Clifton Suspension Bridge

• • St. Werburgh’s City Farm

 

 

3. Boarders, BBC Three (2024)

Boarders is another addition to BBC’s offerings, with filming taking place in various Bristol locations. This series’s teenage-focused narrative has created a coming-of-age hit. A lot of filming locations are close to our Urban Student apartments, so you might recognise a lot if you watch this one. Also, a fun fact, the cast of the show stayed with us in our Urban Apartments during filming. Pretty cool, right?

Notable filming locations:

• • Queen Square

• • Park Street

 

 

4. Being Human (2008+) BBC

Being Human became a cult favourite thanks to its unique storyline —following a vampire, a ghost, and a werewolf as they try to live among humans. With supernatural elements set against everyday life, Bristol’s strong history and modern urban areas provided the perfect contrast.

Notable filming locations:

• • Clifton

• • Totterdown

• • Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

 

 

5. Ruby Speaking, ITVX (2023)

Ruby Speaking is a workplace comedy that premiered on ITVX in 2023. Starring Bristolian Jayde Adams, this Bristol-set show revolves around a customer service call centre. The show’s fun characters and Bristol’s distinctive locations, such as the harbourside, make it a great watch.

Notable filming locations:

• • Redcliffe

• • Bristol Harbourside

• • Wapping Wharf

 

 

6. Rain Dogs, BBC One/HBO Max (2023)

Premiering in 2023, Rain Dogs is a dark comedy about love, family, and survival, featuring a single mother trying to navigate life. Filmed extensively in Bristol, the show has been praised for its raw and honest portrayal of poverty and perseverance.

Notable filming locations:

• • Stokes Croft

• • Old Market

• • Eastville Park

• • The Mount Without

 

 

7. Kiri, Channel 4 (2018)

Kiri is a heart-wrenching drama that aired on Channel 4 in 2018, centering around the disappearance of a young girl and the media frenzy that followed. The show deals with themes of race, privilege, and family, and Bristol’s cultural diversity plays an integral part in shaping the storyline.

Notable filming locations:

• • Easton

• • Redland

• • Leigh Woods

 

 

8. Skins, Channel 4 (2007-13)

Skins is perhaps one of the most iconic series to come out of Bristol, focusing on the lives of a group of teenagers. From parties to viewpoint hang outs, Bristol’s urban environment becomes another character in the show. Famous for launching the careers of actors like Dev Patel and Nicholas Hoult, Skins helped put Bristol on the map as a city perfect for edgy, youth-driven narratives.

Notable filming locations:

• • College Green

• • Brandon Hill

• • Bearpit

• • Park Street

• • Windmill Hill City Farm

• • Thekla

 

 

9. Teachers, Channel 4 (2001-4)

A comedy-drama about the ups and downs of life as a secondary school teacher, Teachers captures the often chaotic and humorous lives of educators. Shot around various Bristol locations, the show became a cult hit thanks to its witty script and memorable characters. The city’s mix of suburban and urban areas provided the perfect backdrop for the day-to-day chaos of the school setting.

Notable filming locations:

• • Cotham School

• • Cotham

• • Montpelier

• • Kingsdown

 

 

10. Casualty, BBC One (1986-2011)

One of the longest-running medical dramas in the world, Casualty began filming in Bristol in 1986 and continued to do so for over two decades. The hospital drama, with it’s emergency room scenes and complex characters, used various parts of Bristol to represent the fictional “Holby City.” Notable filming locations:

• • Redcliffe Wharf

• • Hengrove Park

• • Whitchurch

• • Bristol Harbourside

 

 

11. Only Fools and Horses, BBC One (1981-2003)

Though set in Peckham, London, much of Only Fools and Horses was actually filmed in Bristol. This beloved British sitcom, following the misadventures of market trader Del Boy and his family, is a classic. Bristol’s locations doubled for many key scenes, including the famous market where Del Boy tried to sell his questionable merchandise.

Notable filming locations:

• • Whitemead House, Bedminster

• • Ashton Gate

• • Broadmead shopping area

 

 

Bristol’s varied landscapes have made it an ideal location for filming a range of television series. From gritty dramas to light-hearted comedies, the city has provided the perfect backdrop for some of the UK’s most loved TV shows.  Time to add these to your viewing list!

 

 

 

Published: Monday 23rd September 2024 by Phoebe Clutton