The film was shot primarily in London and Birmingham, and the story is linked to the long-running British crime drama that first aired in 1996. The show is now in its 29th season and is considered one of the longest-running and most popular crime dramas in the UK. The series follows a team of forensic pathologists who investigate various criminal cases in a procedural format, with each episode or pair of episodes focusing on a single case. Emilia Fox continues to play the lead role of Dr. Nikki Alexander, which she took on in season 8 in 2004. The 29th season takes viewers to various locations, including the Digbeth creative quarter in Birmingham, the Jewellery Quarter, the Worcestershire countryside, a historic prison in Shropshire, and even Oxford university buildings. The production creatively uses restored industrial warehouses, Victorian arcades, canal-side districts, and modern architectural landmarks to create a visually rich backdrop for the forensic investigations. The editing sometimes takes geographical liberties, placing buildings that are half a mile apart as if they are next to each other, which works well on screen even if it doesn't exactly match the real layout.

Filming Locations:

Chateau Impney

In the Film

The scene where this impressive Victorian chateau-style hotel appears as a key location at the beginning of 'The Disappearance of Alice Hill'. The ornate building with its well-kept grounds sets an atmospheric and slightly unexpected tone for the first episode of season 29, immediately hinting at wealth and history that later contrast with the darker forensic investigations.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a Victorian chateau-style hotel built in the 19th century and set among well-kept gardens near Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire. It now operates as a hotel, wedding venue, and exhibition center, with room rates starting from around £55 per night. Its distinctive French architecture makes the place unusual and prominent against the English countryside, surrounded by green fields and gardens.

The Bond, Digbeth

In the Film

The scene where it appears as a Bristol location in the first episode. This restored canal-side warehouse complex creates a gritty yet modern backdrop characteristic of the Digbeth area: the combination of old brick warehouses and contemporary interiors helps convey the urban atmosphere of the investigation throughout the season.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a restored canal-side warehouse complex in the Digbeth area of Birmingham, which has been turned into a creative hub with studios, offices, and cafes. The complex preserves the area's industrial heritage while giving it new life as a place for creative businesses. Digbeth itself is known as Birmingham's creative quarter, with many converted industrial buildings and an active street art scene.