With the winners of the 98th Academy Awards announced on Sunday, now is the perfect moment to celebrate Bracknell Forest as a growing film and TV hotspot.
We have attracted many productions over the years. Its varied locations offer everything from woodland to modern urban settings. It also benefits from excellent transport links to London and several major film studios. Together, these make us an appealing choice for filmmakers.
In 2019, parts of the live action film Cruella, produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Marc Platt Productions and Gunn Films, were filmed in Bracknell town centre. A section of the former council offices, now Easthampstead Works, was adapted for a stunt scene involving a car crashing into a building. The movie reimagines the early life of Cruella de Vil, the villain from 101 Dalmatians.
A year later, the BBC British crime drama the Unforgotten was filmed nearby. Scenes were filmed in the old Bracknell courthouse, which is managed by Involve Community Services.
Bracknell residents who watched the BBC comedy drama Avoidance, may have spotted the former Bracknell Bus Station Café. In the first episode, Romesh Ranganathan’s character shares a breakfast scene with his son.
These are just a few of examples of the higher profile productions that we have worked with over the years.
Cllr Paul Bidwell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration said:
“We offer a good variety of locations for filming, such as historic parks, council buildings and car parks as unit bases for vehicles and equipment storage. We also provide support with logistics, such as parking, traffic management and the various licences required for filming.
“We work with Berkshire Film Office, to promote a film friendly borough. This includes accommodating filming needs. Our aim is to deliver a high-quality service while working with productions to make sure residents aren’t disrupted by the filming.
“Attracting local filming has many benefits. It raises our profile and showcases our natural and cultural assets. It also brings in business, boosting the local economy.
“Productions can draw on local skills such as carpentry, scaffolding and make-up, which are readily available from Bracknell based companies and individuals. This further adds to the economic growth of the borough.”
Daniel Mann, film officer at Berkshire Film Service said:
“An increasing demand in local filming opportunities was a key driver behind the formation of Berkshire Film Office in 2019.
“Since then, we have worked with Bracknell Forest Council and the other five local governing authorities in Berkshire to maintain a film-friendly county.
“We have the expertise to assist with a range of productions filming on location and in council owned properties.
“We can use our knowledge as locals to Berkshire, and our extensive location database to cater for film and television whatever the size.
“According to our calculations, there has been a £14.4 million spend in Berkshire between April 2019 and March 2025. There is also indirect spend in the area when visiting productions use local goods and services. We estimate this at around £28.8 million.
“Berkshire Film Office also works as part of Screen Berkshire, to identify skills gaps, facilitate training and develop pathways to employment in the film and TV industry."
Other local filming, includes:
- Stuffed, a TV film on BBC iPlayer, where a scene was filmed on a Bracknell street in December 2024
- DIY SOS - Rafi Story (Bracknell) - local filming centred on Ringmead and Jameston for the big reveal of Rafi’s transformed family home
- CBBC’s Max and Harvey, a children’s documentary about YouTube vloggers, filmed at Shepherd Meadows in Sandhurst
- The Strays, a British horror-thriller, filmed at Jennett’s Park
- Jind Mahi, an Indian Punjabi-language romantic drama, at Station Green in Bracknell
- Episode 3 of the BBC crime thriller Strike: Troubled Blood, filmed on the roads outside Broadmoor Hospital
- Fighting with my Family, a 2019 comedy-drama with an all-star cast, was filmed at Harman's Water shops
- The Wrong Mans, a BBC comedy series starring James Cordon and Matthew Baynton, was filmed in Bracknell town centre
For more information, visit our filming section.
