Where was After the Flood filmed?
The ITV drama was filmed in a variety of locations – some of which you might recognise.
It's now been a couple of weeks since After the Flood season 2 was made available to stream in full on ITVX, meaning plenty of fans will now have made their way through all six episodes.
As they've done so, they will have not only been drawn in by this season's new complex murder investigation, but also by some of the incredible locations on display.
This season is once again set in Waterside, where flooding remains a constant threat, but this time around there's also a new complication of uncontrollable fire to contend with.
Matt Stokoe, who plays Pat, the ex-partner of Sophie Rundle's Jo, addressed the expanding scope of the show's environmental focus, saying: "The wildfire element is something we usually associate with the States, but every year we're breaking heat records.
"If the series is even slightly ahead of the curve in introducing audiences to that reality, then that feels like responsible work."
But where were the dramatic fire scenes actually filmed? And which other locations were involved? For more information, read on.
After the Flood filming locations
The show is filmed across Greater Manchester and Derbyshire in the North West of England.
"The location is a beautiful character in the story because it looks so good — it's pretty — but at the same time, this is a place where a lot of flooding is happening and where communities are suffering," said executive producer Nicola Shindler.
"Locating it in places where real-life events are happening makes it feel more authentic. I always like filming in the North West, and we've got a brilliant cast and crew.
"That's what After the Flood is taking advantage of — people who work really hard, understand the local problems and know how to work together to make a really good team."
The town of Waterside, where the main characters live, is based on Glossop in Derbyshire, which Gleaves described as a "beautiful town".
"Any valley town — I always adore them," he added. "Just looking up and seeing hills, a beautiful square and a gorgeous river running through it.
"I'd never been there before, but I'll be sad if I never go back."
The moorland fire scenes were filmed in multiple locations, including around Piethorne Reservoir and Watergrove Reservoir.
Another location was Middlewood, a manor house in Clitheroe, where new characters Alan (Alun Armstrong) and Harriet Benson (Steph De Whalley) live.
Looking back at season 1, the dramatic opening scene – when a river bursts its banks and a baby is swept along in a carrier – was filmed in Stockton-on-Tees at the Tees Barrage White Water Centre, which Rundle described as "like being on a school trip".
She explained that it's "where they train all the emergency services", adding: "There's this water course and they have control of the speed and the scale of the water."
As you'd expect, the physicality of the role proved a challenge.
"Filming days are long and they're hard," said Rundle. "I was totally knackered. I just took a lot of vitamins and then I went away to Spain at the end of it and drank a gallon of white wine."
Stockport's historic Market Hall also pops up in season 1, episode 4, as does a popular Manchester shopping destination.
"We're over Barton Bridge and you can look down on the Trafford Centre," said Nicholas Gleaves, who plays Sergeant Phil Mackie. "There is Manchester getting on with its business and in a part of the car park there is this kind of Hollywood set.
"Then we put our waders on and literally stepped into a gigantic, half a football pitch sized tank that was a terraced street in a Northern town. It had an effect on everyone. It was quite an experience to do it and I think the show will be much richer for it."
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After the Flood seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream in full on ITVX now.
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Authors
Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.
