If the beginning of 2025 has you feeling a little flat; this instalment of Reel Life could be just the tonic to lift your spirits. You’ll discover the latest round-up from the world of TV and filmmaking in and around the borough.
We’re not bragging but we’ve got more award winners, TV personalities and gingerbread than you can fit on a film premiere’s red carpet.
If you happened to be taking a stroll through glorious Acton Park, you may have bumped into Bafta-winning TV sports presenter Clare Balding, who was filming a health-focused TV ad. There was plenty of frisbee throwing and some very well-trained dogs who helped to set the scene. The park was in tip-top condition thanks to the tireless work of Ealing Council’s parks team.
The West London Film Office (WLFO) welcomed yet another award winner to the borough, in the form of Lord of the Rings and Sherlock actor Martin Freeman, who came to Greenford Hall along with fellow actor and rising star Molly Belle Wright. The duo were filming scenes for a film adaptation of Flavia De Luce, a popular book series about an 11-year-old chemist and amateur detective on a quest for truth, fuelled by a relentless curiosity.
Oscar winner and Ant & Dec
We’re not showing off (honest!), but yet another award winner came to film in the borough. If you’ve won multiple accolades including an Oscar, it stands to reason that you’d shoot scenes for your new comedy-drama in W3. That’s exactly what actor Riz Ahmed did while filming Quarterlife for Amazon Prime. The story tells of a struggling actor on the verge of fame, whilst also dealing with family pressures and personal insecurities.
The WLFO worked closely with residents and the council’s highways department to temporarily close a road, to film Riz walking along a busy, multi-cultural shopping area along with 50 background actors.
Our borough has always been a TV and film industry favourite for filming in private homes; and this year is already no exception. Kings of light entertainment Ant & Dec were spotted filming a trailer in Eastbourne Avenue for ITV’s 2025 Saturday night programming line-up. The trailer (which you can see here) features the great and good of UK TV entertainment. We’re sure you’ll be enjoying the trailer on your screens anytime now.
A gingerbread wonderland
As 2024 came to a close, many thoughts turned to festive ones, with a break from the 9-5 and a chance to eat gingerbread and mince-pies with family and friends.
Tesco chose the ever-popular Goodhall Street to stage its Christmas 2024 advert with an elderly father and grown-up son sharing heartfelt festive moments. The talented art department used a little movie magic to transform the street into a wonderland made of gingerbread. This tasty treat included houses, a motor scooter, shopping checkout and a boy made of gingerbread. Goodhall street was a hive of activity and lit by one of the biggest lanterns we have ever seen.
The Victorian railway cottages in Goodhall and Stephenson Street have a long history of filmmaking, reaching back to the 1930s. The film-friendly residents’ association worked closely with the WLFO, production team and residents to ensure everyone knew what was happening and when.
Want a slice of the action?
If you are the owner of a property and you are interested in letting it out to film companies for use as a TV or film location, you could earn some money. We cannot guarantee all properties submitted will make it on to the WLFO website, but if you would like to give it a try, please send in some good quality images of each room in your property, and some exterior images, by email to wlfo@ealing.gov.uk
