Continuing the tradition of Halton being a popular destination for filming everything from soap to gritty drama, a new Netflix drama is coming to film on and around the Silver Jubilee Bridge.
Stay Close, stars Eddie Izzard, James Nesbitt and Sarah Parish among other top talent.
The bridge, which may be closed for up to ten minutes at a time, has been selected as they required an iconic bridge location. The filming company agreed to make a donation to the Mayors Charity.
The SJB will be closed for short duration closures on Sunday 28 March to enable the filming of the new Harlan Cobin (Safe, The Stranger) drama.
07.30 – 12.30hrs Filming on a live road on low loader and tracking vehicle
12.30 – 13.00hrs Lunch
13.00 – 16.00hrs Drone filming 10 minutes in every 1 hour (actor availability reasons)
16.00 – 17.30hrs Filming on a live road with tracking vehicle..
A few years ago local film-maker Owain Bentley made a new animation of Widnes entitled simply ‘Widnes’ which included Halton highlights like The Silver Jubilee Bridge, The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and the main shopping streets.
But before that Halton had a long association with film and TV. The area is famous for the filming of Two Pints Of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Drop Dead Gorgeous and Merseybeat. Coronation Street often films court scenes in Widnes.
Young Dracula and Millions by Danny Boyle, and island At War.
A leading Australian TV company chose it as the location for a Gatorade commercial. Tim Cahill, Everton FC midfielder joined the crew to star in the commercial by Orange Whip Films, based in Ultimo, New South Wales, which found Halton the ideal location for their client Gatorade.
Filming took place at Wigg Island and Stobart Stadium Halton, With Tim being shown training in a variety of locations and obviously in need of some refreshment.
