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Filming continues in Folkestone for Danny Boyle's Sex Pistols TV drama, including at The Grand

A seaside town in Kent has been re-named as part of the filming for a new TV show about the Sex Pistols.

The Danny Boyle led production was centred around Dover and Deal earlier this week, but crew have now moved to Folkestone.

Filming has taken place near The Metropole and The Grand, along The Leas, in Folkestone for new show Pistols. Photo: Ian Everley
Filming has taken place near The Metropole and The Grand, along The Leas, in Folkestone for new show Pistols. Photo: Ian Everley
Filming is taking place near The Grand. Photo: Ian Everley
Filming is taking place near The Grand. Photo: Ian Everley

Yesterday, a team was seen moving props and equipment into the Grand Burstin Hotel, where a 'gig' was reportedly filmed.

Now, the crew have moved to The Grand, along The Leas, where new signs have been erected revealing that Folkestone is in fact representing Whitby, a coastal town in Yorkshire.

One of the signs reads: "The Grand Hotel Welcomes you to Whitby."

Another make shift sign reveals that The Grand Hotel offers views over the 'sea or abbey', has four colour TVs, and that it is run by a Mr and Mrs Page.

Whitby's historic abbey that is mentioned on the prop sign is said to have inspired Caedmon, the first named English poet, and Bram Stoker, the author of 'Dracula'.

A new sign has re-branded Folkestone as Whitby. Photo: Ian Everley
A new sign has re-branded Folkestone as Whitby. Photo: Ian Everley

It appears the Sex pistols performed in Whitby on September 11, 1976 at The Royal Ballroom, and that the filming is re-creating this concert, although the production company would not confirm this.

Other photos from along The Leas show filming near The Metropole, with vintage cars and tents and trailers set up.

A garage in Sandgate has also been redesigned with a vintage look.

The six part series, entitled Pistol, is being filmed for Hulu and will star Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams and The Queen's Gambit actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

Toby Wallace, Anson Boon, Louis Patridge, Jacob Slater, Talulah Riley, Fabien Frankel and Dylan Llewellyn will also star.

Another sign has been added to The Grand. Photo: Ian Everley
Another sign has been added to The Grand. Photo: Ian Everley
A garage in Sandgate has been given a vintage makeover. Photo: Ian Everley
A garage in Sandgate has been given a vintage makeover. Photo: Ian Everley

It is being directed by Danny Boyle, known for Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, 127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire and The Beach.

The limited series will be based around the life and career of punk rock legend and Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones and is based on his 2018 memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol.

Roads were closed in parts of Dover on Monday while filming took place, with some lucky onlookers catching a glimpse of award winning director Mr Boyle.

Meanwhile streets in Deal had a complete makeover to comply with the show's 1970s setting.

The town was flooded with period-accurate vehicles, while shop signs were changed.

The Grand Burstin will also feature in Danny Boyle's Sex Pistols series. Picture: Beau Goodwin
The Grand Burstin will also feature in Danny Boyle's Sex Pistols series. Picture: Beau Goodwin
A first look at the Sex Pistols biopic (bottom), alongisde the original band (top)
A first look at the Sex Pistols biopic (bottom), alongisde the original band (top)

It is not the first time Mr Boyle has come to Folkestone. In 2018 he was part of a series of art commissions to remember the Great War.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone

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