Single-shot filming requires that filming locations be close to each other so that actors and the camera operator can move between them without stopping the shoot. Most of the series was filmed in the city of Wakefield, located in West Yorkshire. In addition to the filming specifics, this location was chosen because the lead actor Owen Cooper, who played Jamie, is from nearby Warrington. The director wanted viewers to see the character as a resident of northern England, where the series takes place.
Most of the filming took place at Production Park, a studio complex near Wakefield. Here, the production team built a police station. The Millers' on-screen home was just a few minutes' drive from the studio.
Filming of the second episode took place at Minsthorpe College in the South Elmsall area of Wakefield. The episode's shoot involved 320 teenagers playing schoolchildren and 50 adults who transformed into teachers, passersby, and parents. Filming the episode required 13 takes.

Filming Locations:

School

In the Movie

Scene where Detective Bascombe and Sergeant Frank come to the school where Jamie studies to get answers. They still have no motive or murder weapon, hoping to find the missing puzzle pieces here. At the school entrance, they are met by Mrs. Fennyweather, who agrees to show them around and take them to the classrooms of interest. Scene from the second episode of the first season.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on the grounds of Minsthorpe Community College in West Yorkshire. The school was opened in 1969 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The institution is specifically for students aged eleven to eighteen. In the series, the name was changed to "Brantwood."

Police Station

In the Movie

Scene where Detective Bascombe leads Jamie through the station corridors. They approach a sergeant who must process the arrestee on suspicion of murder. The sergeant asks Jamie for his full name, reiterates his rights, and asks if he is taking any medication. Scene from the first episode of the first season.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Production Park, located in South Kirkby, Yorkshire. This is a 100,000 square foot production center near Pontefract. Here, the series' production team built a police station as well as an interrogation room.

Parking Lot Near the Department Store (Crime Scene)

In the Movie

Scene where Jamie's father, Eddie, gets out of a van holding a bouquet of flowers. He walks to a makeshift memorial of photos and flowers that has formed at the site of the schoolgirl's murder. The crime scene is cordoned off, and a police car with an alert officer inside is nearby. Eddie places the bouquet and stands for a while looking at the memorial, lost in thought. Scene from the second episode of the first season.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the parking lot of Minsthorpe Leisure Centre. Due to the single-shot filming technique, the creators needed to find locations in close proximity to each other. Given that this scene follows immediately after the school scenes, the parking lot next to the leisure centre, located a couple of blocks from the school, was ideal.