Despite being set in London the majority of ITV’s new factual drama Believe Me was filmed across Wales.
Despite being set in London the majority of ITV’s new factual drama Believe Me was filmed across Wales.(Image: ITV)
Have you ever watched something on the TV and thought to yourself, ‘that looks familiar, where was that filmed?’ If you answered ‘yes’, then don’t worry you are not the only one.
When it comes to TV and movies being filmed in Wales, many of us have a keen eye to spot these famous Welsh spots, whether that’s featuring in Doctor Who, Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock, or perhaps Netflix’s Black Mirror. Despite being set in London the majority of ITV’s new factual drama Believe Me was filmed across Wales.
Set in the early 2000s, the series follows the story of the sexual assault victims of black cab rapist John Worboys. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
With the support of the Welsh Government through Creative Wales, they have shot scenes across South Wales, including Cardiff, Penarth, Swansea, Port Talbot, and Newport. They also filmed some scenes on set at Dragon Studios in Bridgend.
There were some elements shot in London to set the scene of the series and the background such as the London Eye in the first episode. However, the full list of Welsh filming locations is as follows:
Cardiff
Cardiff University’s Main Building was used as the exterior of the Royal Courts of Justice.(Image: Matthew Horwood)
Believe Me was mainly shot across Cardiff, and when you see the streets and houses during the series the chances are they were filmed in the Welsh capital. You may well have spotted the much-loved Bute Park which was used for many different exterior and outdoor scenes, even doubling as London’s Finsbury Park.
Several Cardiff University buildings were used, including Talybont Court Halls of Residence which were used as Laila’s university accommodation. Additionally, the Redwood Building in Cathays was used as the exterior of the Territorial Policing HQ and Cardiff University’s Main Building was used as the exterior of the Royal Courts of Justice.
The DTI & Canteen Block in Heath Park West was used for the inside of the Holloway Police Station, the interior of the Haven Medical Centre, and the exterior of the Haven Medical Centre.
Block One at the Heath Park West was used for the interior of the Territorial Policing HQ, the exterior of the black cab, Operation Sapphire Office, the sexual assault centre, the interior of the Holloway Police Station, Sarah’s law firm, and interview rooms.
Ty’r Wyddfa was used as the interior of the maternity ward and Ty’r Garth was used as the Plumstead Police Station.
You may have spotted the familiar sticky floors of Clwb Ifor Bach and Pryzm Nightclub which were used for the bar and ladies toilet scenes.
Lastly, the City United Reformed Church in Windsor Place was used as Wakefield Prison’s chapel and the psychologist’s office at the prison.
Penarth
Penarth Pier featured in the ITV drama(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Penarth is best known for it’s beautiful seaside views, and traditional pier. Well, in Believe Me it was used to emulate a pier in Norfolk.
Meanwhile, Penarth Yacht Club also featured in the series as the interior of a bar.
Glyntaff
The hospital scenes were filmed in Glyntaff(Image: ITV)
A small village to the south-east of Pontypridd, Glyntaff was used as a location to film several scenes.
The Alfred Russel Wallace Building in Glyntaff was used of the exterior and interior of the Borough Police Station, however the library and student centre was used for the exterior scenes of the London Police Station.
The Clinical Simulation Centre in Glyntaff was used as the interior of the Haven Medical Centre and the interior of the hospital.
The exterior of one of the hospital scenes was filmed at the Elaine Morgan Building.
The library and student centre was used for the exterior scenes of the London Police Station.
Swansea
We may know it as the No Sign Wine Bar, but in Believe Me it doubled as a bar in Westminster. (Image: Mark Lewis)
Like many other productions, the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea was used throughout the series. This includes acting as HM Prison Wakefield and the Doughty Street Chambers. They also used the popular filming venue as a court room at the Royal Courts of Justice.
They also used The Queens Hotel in the Maritime Quarter for pub shots and the Museum Green in Victoria Road for the park.
The former South Wales Evening Post building in Swansea was used as the exterior of the Holloway Police Station, and Somerset Place doubled as West London.
Swansea Civic Centre was used as Croydon Crown Court and the Milbank Tower.
We may know it as the No Sign Wine Bar, but in Believe Me it doubled as a bar in Westminster. Meanwhile, the rear of Jack Murphy’s on the Strand was also used as a night club in Holborn.
Port Talbot
Many spots on Port Talbot’s high street featured in the series(Image: Richard Williams)
The popular Fresco café down Port Talbot’s Station Road featured as a cafe in Croydon, the LifeStyle Express was used as a newsagents, and the Travel House was used as a travel agent.
Much like, Netflix’s Sex Education, Aberafan Shopping Centre was also used to film some street shots.
Newport
You may also spot the footbridge near Newport Castle.(Image: Richard Williams)
In Newport, many streets were used for various outdoor London shots including Bridge Street, Stow Hill, and the High Street.
Gloucester Chambers was also used as a bar and Carousel Leisure doubled as Lewisham High Street.
The Kingsway Shopping Centre Loading Bay was used as the scene of the crime and
You may also spot the footbridge near Newport Castle.
You can watch the first episode of Believe Me on Sunday, May 10, on ITV1 and ITV X from 9pm.