Sussex on Screen: Brighton Filming Locations

Brighton has always had a bit of a starring role on screen, but with the ITV crime series Grace becoming such a staple, the city feels more like a film set than ever. Based on Peter James’s bestselling novels, the show follows Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and Detective Inspector Glenn Branson through the streets we know well. With Season 3 having just aired this March and Season 5 scheduled to premiere in April 2026, there is plenty of local scenery to spot. Much of this is coordinated by the Sussex Film Office. Based in Arundel since 2016, they handle everything from permits to finding local crew, cast, and suppliers. They’ve supported over 6,500 productions so far, which has brought a significant amount of money—over £109 million—into the local economy and councils. It’s not just about the big dramas either; they manage locations for commercials and all types of production across the region.

One of the more interesting spots used recently is the Brighton Hippodrome. It’s a historic venue that first opened in 1901, featuring some pretty impressive rococo plasterwork and a unique circular auditorium with a domed ceiling. In the fourth episode of Season 5, titled 'Find Them Dead', it doubled as the East Sussex Crown Court. It’s currently being restored to its former glory as a live entertainment space, but seeing it on screen gives a great look at that historic interior. The show also uses several local businesses as fictional settings. The 'Brighton Central Hotel' is actually the Green Diamond collection of serviced apartments in Bartholomew Square, which is just a short walk from the seafront. Then there is the 'Hotel Lenore', which is actually the Queens Hotel on the seafront. This hotel has been a fixture of the city since 1846, and if you were looking to stay where they filmed, its 94 rooms usually range from £109 to £260 a night. Even the series finale featured the Brighton Zip Bar on Madeira Drive, which is a rooftop venue known for its fish and chips.

Beyond the world of Roy Grace, the city’s landmarks have a long history with cinema. Brighton Palace Pier, the only one of our piers still in use, is a Grade II listed site that has been appearing in films for decades. Construction originally began in 1896, and despite being nearly destroyed by a storm, it opened in 1899. You might recognize it from classics like Carry On at Your Convenience, Quadrophenia, and Mona Lisa. More recently, Harry Styles was spotted filming on the pier in May 2021 for the film My Policeman. Then there’s the Royal Pavilion, our Grade I listed former royal residence. Its distinct domes and minarets have appeared in everything from the 1995 version of Richard III to The End of the Affair. Interestingly, the design for the university set 'Shiz' in the 2024 film Wicked took direct inspiration from the Pavilion’s dome windows. Even Brighton Station has its share of credits, appearing in the opening of the original 1947 Brighton Rock and the 2010 remake, as well as the film Summerland.

Walking through the city, you’ll find smaller spots that have become iconic in their own right. The Lanes and North Laine are frequent choices for directors looking for that specific Brighton atmosphere. In Season 5 of Grace, they filmed scenes for the episode 'Dead Tomorrow' around Ship Street, Bond Street, and Jew Street, as well as the pedestrianised Gardner Street. If you head over to East Street, you’ll find Quadrophenia Alley. It’s a narrow little spot that became famous for the police escape scene in the 1979 film and has since become a bit of a shrine for Mod culture. For those who follow the series closely, Roy Grace’s own residence is filmed in Eaton Place over in Kemp Town. Seeing these places on screen while living here gives a different perspective on the streets we walk every day, and with Season 6 already having been spotted filming back in August 2025, there will likely be even more locations to identify soon.