Essex has long been a favourite location for filmmakers, but now it’s taking centre stage in one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises. Holy Innocents Church in High Beech, Epping Forest is the star location for the third instalment of the Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
The blockbuster, featuring Hollywood A-listers Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, and Josh Brolin, hits UK cinemas this week and will stream on Netflix from 12 December. Although the story is set in upstate New York, the filmmakers chose Holy Innocents Church for its stunning Gothic architecture and woodland backdrop—perfect for recreating the American setting.
Essex Film Office’s Role
The Essex Film Office, part of Essex County Council, played a key role in making this happen. Our team secured filming permissions, coordinated with local authorities, and even arranged a road closure to ensure smooth production. We also supported the crew with logistics near a second filming location for the rectory.
Holy Innocents beat a number of churches to the top spot, offering the perfect combination of gothic style architecture and even the tree in the church yard – which matched the director’s vision for how the church yard needed to look.
Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture at Essex County Council, said:
“Having Knives Out filmed on location in Essex underlines just how attractive our county is for film and TV productions. Essex offers a diverse range of environments, and regional film offices add real value by helping productions find the right locations and navigate logistics. This work positions Essex as a go-to destination for world-class projects.”
Erica Gilson, Manager of Essex Film Office, added:
“In recent years we’ve welcomed productions like Slow Horses, Spiderman, and The Essex Serpent. Wake Up Dead Man was a major moment for us—it showed how Essex can stand out on the global stage. The filmmakers considered over 100 churches across the UK, and Essex delivered the perfect setting.”
Why Essex?
From historic architecture to sweeping countryside and coastal views, Essex offers filmmakers a wealth of options. This latest success reinforces our reputation as a prime filming destination for major productions.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is in cinemas now and streaming on Netflix from 12 December.
Interested in filming in Essex?
The Essex Film Office is your central point of contact for filming activity in the county. We work with local authorities, location owners, and production companies to attract filming into Essex and support future investment.
