Kidnapped filmed in Bolton town centre wraps up today

A fleet of white vans can be seen on Le Mans Crescent as the BBC shoot new drama ‘Kidnapped’, which chronicles the abduction of a British model in Italy in 2017.

The crew, which set up in the Oldhams Estate at the end of July, started shooting in the former Magistrates Court last Monday to emulate the subsequent court case that put Chloe Ayling’s kidnappers in jail, and will move on after today.

Joseph Vernon

The drama tells the story of Chloe who travelled to Milan for a modelling photoshoot, when she was kidnapped by Lukasz Herba and held for six days in a remote farmhouse.

The series follows her terrifying kidnap, her bravery and resilience in captivity, as well as the court case.

Filming in Bolton Town Centre

Despite the convictions, Chloe faced headlines accusing her of faking her own kidnapping and she found herself at the centre of a media storm.

The series asks why Chloe was blamed for her kidnappers’ crimes. How do we relate to survivors of crime who make the front pages? And how does it feel to be an ordinary person, caught up in events so extraordinary that you aren’t believed?

The Bolton News was told on set by one of the crew: “We’ve been here since last Monday. We filmed here through the week and Sunday too, today’s our last day filming here.

“This is an excellent building to create what you need on set, it’s a very popular site to use for the outside shots and inside too.

“The building is empty, only the museum wing is in use, so the filming costs go towards the maintenance of the building.”

Working on a construction site nearby, Joseph Vernon, of South London, said: “They film quite a lot here, I’ve been told they filmed Peaky Blinders and Happy Valley here.

“It’s good for the town as it will bring money in, and it’s good for tourism.”

Neil Luetchford

While Neil Luetchford, of Bolton, added: “It’s not a given that I will watch it, it depends on what the show is really.”

The grade two-listed building is set to feature in another production, Sleepover – which The Bolton News was told will commence filming on Le Mans Crescent from September 6th.

The new ITV drama will follow a group of reporters in and out of an office, chasing and investigating a story.

One passer-by said: “I think it’s fabulous that film crews choose Bolton, it’s putting the town on the map.”

One woman said: “They are filming here nearly every week, it’s great for the town.

“It will certainly make them money. Bolton is done now shopping wise, it’s horrible it’s not as good as it was – we go to Bury to shop now.

“But we will watch this show, mainly because it’s nice seeing Bolton on the telly. The other month Ewan McGregor was here and they put snow on the town hall steps.”

Another visitor to the town centre said: “They come all the time, they are here all the time. I would like to know why? I can’t understand it.”

The drama tells the story of Chloe who travelled to Milan for a modelling photoshoot, when she was kidnapped by Lukasz Herba and held for six days in a remote farmhouse.

The series follows her terrifying kidnap, her bravery and resilience in captivity, as well as the court case.

Nadia Parkes. Image by Stanley Morgan

Nadia Parkes will play the lead role in Kidnapped and will be joined by Adrian Edmondson.

Nadia said: “This is a timely and important story about how we perceive trauma in the media. I feel honoured to be playing Chloe and to be a part of this adaptation for the BBC.”

Michael Parke, Executive Producer for BBC Studios, says: “We are delighted that the incredibly talented Nadia Parkes will portray Chloe Ayling in our drama. She has immersed herself in research and is passionate about bringing the truth about Chloe’s story to the screen.”

Fiona Campbell, Controller of Youth Audience, BBC iPlayer and BBC Three says: “We’re so pleased that filming has now begun on Kidnapped and that the hugely talented Nadia Parkes will lead the drama as Chloe Ayling, alongside such a fantastic and impressive cast.”