New Barry Keoghan film 'Bird' filmed across Kent
The film, which is also set in the county, Uses shots across Gravesend, Dartford, Leysdown-on-Sea, Kingsferry Bridge and Ashford
Released to cinemas last week, brand new film ‘Bird’ (2024), starring Barry Keoghan, was almost entirely shot in Kent.
Written and directed by Kent-born Andrea Arnold (Wasp (2003), American Honey), Bird stars Nykiya Adams in her debut role as Bailey, Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin) as Bug, Franz Rogowski (Passages, Transit) as the titular Bird, Jason Buda in his first role as Hunter, James Nelson-Joyce (The Nest, Guy Ritchie’s the Covenant) as Skate and Jasmine Jobson (Top Boy (2019-2022), Surge) as Peyton.
Locations across Gravesend, Dartford, Leysdown-on-Sea, Kingsferry Bridge and Ashford were used, while the story is also actually set in the county.
Kent Film Office confirmed the locations, while the premise is described as “In a not-too-distant future, 11-year-old Bailey lives with her absent father, Bug and her brother Hunter on a Kent housing estate. One day when Bailey meets a mysterious stranger called Bird, all their lives are changed forever.”
Behind-the-scenes of Bird (2024) in Gravesend high street Skyshark Media / Mark Dillen
In Gravesend, filming took place in various private residences, including at The Hive estate, as well as Gravesend Civic Centre, Custom House, Riverside Leisure Area and on various streets, including the High Street.
Filming also took place on several streets in Dartford and the Merry Chest Café.
In Leysdown-on-Sea, locations featured include a private residence, the beach, promenade and the Rose & Crown Pub. The Kingsferry Bridge features in a brief driving scene as the cast travel to Leysdown. Filming also took place at Ashford International train station and a nearby underpass.
Kent continues to be a major pull for film shoot locations.
© Courtesy of Mubi
Gravesend is a popular filming location, due to its picturesque setting and rich history, including an unspoilt promenade, high street and two shopping centres. The Riverside Leisure Area lies alongside the River Thames near Gravesend town centre. It encompasses the Fort Gardens, Gordon Lake, promenade, Café, Rowing and Sailing clubs and the Canal Basin Marina. Other productions that have filmed here include Bull (2021), Big Boys Don’t Cry (2020) and Top Boy (2019-2022).
Located on the border of Kent, Dartford is a historic market town which boasts one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. Perhaps best known for the Dartford Crossing and Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford’s combination of industrial and historical landscapes makes for a popular filming location. Previous productions that have filmed in Dartford include Gangs of London (2020-2022), The Escape (2018) and Andrea Arnold’s Wasp (2003).
Leysdown is situated at the Eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey. With access to a sandy beach and a slew of arcades, it is one of the largest holiday parks in Kent. Series 26 of Silent Witness (2023), Kiss Me First (2018) and End of the F***ing World (2017) filmed in Leysdown.
The Kingsferry Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge that links the Isle of Sheppey to mainland Kent. The bridge isn’t as busy as it once was since the New Sheppey Crossing was built next to it, and therefore can potentially be closed for filming, as was done for Too Close (2021) and The Beekeeper (2024).
