Spotlight on Film Barking and Dagenham
From Hollywood blockbusters to acclaimed TV dramas, Barking and Dagenham is making its mark as one of London’s most exciting filming destinations. In this article, discover what makes the borough such a valuable hub for the UK’s screen industries.
Chances are, if you’ve tuned into some of the biggest film and television productions in recent years, you’ve already seen a bit of Barking and Dagenham on screen.
From Hollywood blockbusters to hit TV dramas, Barking and Dagenham has quietly become one of London’s most exciting filming destinations. With major studio developments in The Wharf and Eastbrook Studios, versatile locations and a growing pipeline of local talent, the borough is playing an increasingly important role in the UK’s screen industries.
Here are some of our location favourites:
The Switch Building is a former power station dating back to the 1930s. Decommissioned in the 1970s, it combines striking Art Deco architecture with authentic industrial textures and a unique patina created by more than four decades of disuse.
Its dramatic interiors have provided the backdrop for everything from illegal raves and secret hideouts to large-scale action sequences, making it one of the borough’s most distinctive filming locations.
Featured in: The Batman (2022), Deep Cover (2025), Heads of State (2025), Legends (2026), Fightland (2026)
Located opposite Eastbrook Studios, Dagenham Science Park is one of the borough’s most versatile filming locations. Its adaptable buildings and spaces have been transformed into hospitals, prisons, laboratories, space centres and secret underground facilities with minimal dressing.
In addition to its filming potential, the site offers production offices, green rooms, crowd holding areas, unit base facilities and extensive parking, making it an ideal all-in-one production hub.
It’s no surprise that Dagenham Science Park remains one of our most in-demand locations.
Featured in: Doctor Strange (2016), We Are Lady Parts (2021), Black Widow (2021), Legends (2026), Fightland (2026)
With its striking industrial aesthetic, stacked shipping containers and expansive operational spaces, Barking Container Yard provides a ready-made backdrop for crime dramas, action sequences, driving scenes, commercials, music videos and stills shoots.
Its versatility allows production teams to transform the site in countless ways, making it a favourite among location managers seeking an authentic and adaptable filming environment.
Featured in: Black Doves (2024), Slow Horses (2026), Hit Point (2026), Fightland (2026)
Developing the Next Generation of Talent
At Film Barking & Dagenham, filming in the borough isn’t just about locations. We’re equally committed to developing local talent and creating pathways into the screen industries.
Our skills programme supports young people and career changers across East London, offering opportunities at every stage of their journey. From film education programmes in schools to industry masterclasses, workshops and bootcamps, we help learners gain practical experience and valuable industry insight.
Film Barking and Dagenham has developed resources to help schools embed film into their curriculum, alongside an annual Short Film Competition in which students from local schools pitch original ideas to a panel of industry judges. The two winning projects are brought to life by professional film crews and premiered at a gala screening in a local cinema. The programme’s success was recognised with two nominations at the Into Film Awards 2025.
We work in partnership with organisations including Barking & Dagenham College, Ravensbourne University, New City College and Brook Sixth Form to deliver hands-on learning experiences that help bridge the gap between education and employment. Through our relationships with productions filming in the borough, we also connect entry-level opportunities with local people, providing support to both participants and production teams throughout the process.
By connecting locations, productions and people, Film Barking & Dagenham is helping to build a thriving screen industry ecosystem in East London. To find out more, please contact us at Film@lbbd.gov.uk or visit our website, filmbarkinganddagenham.com.
Many thanks to Film Barking and Dagenham for compiling this spotlight for us.
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