Brighton and Hove on Screen: Local TV and Film Locations

If you have walked through Hove recently, you might have noticed some unusual activity around Palmeira Square. The elegant 19th-century square has been closed to traffic to serve as the main set for The Siege, a new six-part Channel 4 drama. Filming began on Sunday, May 17, 2026, and is scheduled to run until Friday, May 22, 2026. The production has transformed the area's Italianate Victorian architecture to stand in for the Iranian Embassy in Kensington, London, complete with period props like vintage fire engines and classic cars. The series, adapted by screenwriter Will Smith from Ben Macintyre's 2024 bestseller, dramatizes the intense six-day hostage crisis of 1980. Danny Dyer stars as Trevor Lock, the police officer who was awarded the George Medal for his bravery during the real-life siege, and he has been spotted on set in full police uniform alongside co-star David Morrissey.

This is not Danny Dyer's first time filming in the area; back in April 2024, he shot his Channel 4 documentary How To Be A Man here, openly praising the city as a welcoming place where people can truly be themselves. The choice of Palmeira Square for this new production highlights the architectural depth of Hove. Built between 1855 and 1870 on the site of the ill-fated Anthaeum conservatory, the Grade II listed square features a central public garden with a historic floral clock. It is a fitting addition to Brighton and Hove's long-standing reputation as a premier filming destination, which dates back to the pioneering cinematic work of George Albert Smith and James Williamson in the late 19th century.

Beyond this latest production, our local streets are filled with recognizable backdrops from major film and television history. The iconic Brighton Palace Pier has appeared in classics like Brighton Rock (1947) and Quadrophenia (1979), as well as more recent releases like My Policeman (2022). Fans of Quadrophenia still make pilgrimages to the famous alleyway between 10 and 11 East Street, which was officially marked with a blue plaque in 2023. Meanwhile, the Royal Pavilion has hosted crews for Richard III (1995), The Current War (2017), and the second season of The Sandman (2025). From the busy platforms of Brighton Railway Station to the dramatic cliffs of Beachy Head, the local landscape continues to be a favorite canvas for filmmakers.