The series was filmed in various locations across Greater Manchester, England, transforming real towns and landmarks into the fictional North English town of Framley. The show follows Alex Ridley, a retired detective inspector played by Adrian Dunbar, who returns to police work as a consultant. Created by Paul Matthew Thompson, also known for the long-running crime drama "Vera", the show combines classic British detective storytelling with atmospheric industrial landscapes of Northern England. The production extensively used real pubs, historic buildings, reservoirs, and town centers to create a convincing fictional world. Bolton town center served multiple purposes, including exterior and interior sets for the police station, as well as a jazz club. The picturesque town of Mossley stood in for Framley itself with its steep streets, railway station, and church silhouette. The second season expanded filming to Bury, Oldham, Altrincham, and even Derbyshire, including everything from 17th-century farms to Victorian mills along the Peak Forest Canal.

Filming Locations:

Copelton District Police Station

In the Show

Scene where the exterior of the Copelton District Police Station is shown with its imposing civic architecture, serving as the active police headquarters in the fictional town of Framley.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Bolton Civic Centre complex, a Grade II listed building completed in 1939, located along Le Mans Crescent. This impressive civic building was also used as Cedarfield Police Station in the 2020 Netflix series "The Stranger". Its semi-circular facade makes it a versatile location for filming institutional buildings.

Ridley's Lakeside House

In the Show

Scene where Ridley's secluded lakeside house stands in a picturesque waterside location; this is the retired detective's home where he retreats to think, listen to music, and sort through his cases.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Watergrove Reservoir near Rochdale in the Watergrove Valley. Built in the 1930s to supply drinking water to the surrounding area, it is surrounded by walking trails and open countryside, creating a calm and fairly remote setting ideal for the hero's solitude and reflection.

Argenti Jewellers (as Benthams Jewellers)

In the Show

Scene where characters enter the Benthams jewellery shop in the first episode of the second season "Sleeping Tiger", where one of the first plot twists in the investigation is set, launching a new series of cases.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at an independent jewellery shop in Ashton-under-Lyne town centre, about 10 kilometres east of Manchester city centre. The shop was used to portray Benthams Jewellers in the first episode of the second season "Sleeping Tiger". It is located in the commercial district of the town among other local retail outlets, with shop windows on a busy street and pedestrian traffic around.