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The Kent locations in Whitstable Pearl series starring Kerry Godliman

Beady-eyed viewers of a crime drama set in a seaside town will have spotted a host of Kent locations after it premiered today.

Whitstable Pearl is based on Julie Wassmer's popular murder mystery novels and features Ricky Gervais' Afterlife star, Kerry Godliman, in the lead role of Pearl Nolan.

Kerry Godliman as Pearl Nolan in the new series. Picture: Mark Bourdillon / AcornTV
Kerry Godliman as Pearl Nolan in the new series. Picture: Mark Bourdillon / AcornTV

The first episode follows the plot of the author’s debut whodunit, The Whitstable Pearl Mystery, as does the fourth, Disappearance At Oare, the fifth book in the oeuvre.

But the other four episodes are original scripts with Julie acting as executive producer and consultant.

The series premiered on streaming channel Acorn TV and follows Pearl - a restaurant owner who, having trained as a police officer earlier in her career, decides to set up a local detective agency.

She is soon embroiled in her first case when she discovers the body of a close friend, and forms an unlikely partnership with new local police chief, DCI Mike McGuire.

Whitstable Pearl has been adapted by Norwegian filmmaker Øystein Karlsen, who is said to have given the crime drama a "Scandi" edge.

The picturesque harbour features extensively in the Whitstable Pearl. Picture: Alan Langley
The picturesque harbour features extensively in the Whitstable Pearl. Picture: Alan Langley
Interior scenes where shot in St Martin's Hospital, Canterbury. Picture: Paul Amos
Interior scenes where shot in St Martin's Hospital, Canterbury. Picture: Paul Amos

Many viewers will have spotted a number of other Kent towns in the series, according to the Kent Film Office, although the programme is set primarily in Whitstable.

Pearl can be seen travelling out of the town's harbour - which features extensively throughout - in the opening scene of the first episode towards the Second War Two Maunsell sea forts.

A redecorated Oxford Mansions in Nelson Road is used as the exterior of the town's police station and the yacht club in Sea Wall features as Pearl's restaurant, The Whitstable Pearl.

Beacon House, a stunning clapboard property near Tankerton Slopes, features as Pearl's home.

Other places in the town feature, such as Seaview Holiday Park, The Old Neptune, MFA Bowl, the cemetery and the Chappell Contemporary.

Oxford Mansions in Nelson Road also feature. Picture: Jane Hearne
Oxford Mansions in Nelson Road also feature. Picture: Jane Hearne
Viewers will see the Old Neptune and West Beach. Picture: Chris Davey
Viewers will see the Old Neptune and West Beach. Picture: Chris Davey

The seafront, including West Beach and Tankerton Beach, were also filming locations, as well as the high street and Harbour Street.

But locations across the county were also used, such as the Kent Events Centre in Maidstone for interiors of Pearl's seafood restaurant.

Walpole Bay Hotel in Fifth Avenue, Margate, and Mount Ephraim House in Staple Street, Faversham, can also be spotted.

Shots were captured at Mathers Church and Canterbury Road in Westgate-on-Sea.

Interior scenes were filmed at St Martin’s Hospital in Canterbury which doubled as a police station and a hospital.

Walpole Bay Hotel is another of the filming locations. Picture: Matt Bristow
Walpole Bay Hotel is another of the filming locations. Picture: Matt Bristow

Other locations include a field near Faversham at Belmont Park and homes in Herne Bay.

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Acorn TV is available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV as well as your usual devices.

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable

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