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Half Broken Things - 2007

A thriller filmed in the Weald of Kent

Half Broken Things - 2007

Penelope Wilton standing on the driveway at Boughton Monchelsea Place © ITV

Part of ITV's autumn drama schedule Half Broken Things, starring Penelope Wilton (Calendar Girls, Doctor Who, Ever Increasing Circles), is a psychological thriller set gainst the idyllic backdrop of the Kent Weald.

The drama is an adaptation of the award winning novel of the same name by Morag Joss. Penelope Wilton plays Jean, a sixty-something house sitter, who is looking after Walden Manor. The house is full of mysteries and locked doors. When Jean isinformed that this will be her last job, she decides to defy all the rules and live the life she has always wanted. Soon she is joined by Michael (Daniel Mays), a thief, and Steph (Sinnead Matthews), a pregnant girl on the run from her abusive boyfriend.

Over a blissful summer, these three live in an idyll that is soon to shattered when their past begins to catch up with them and events take a dangerous and sinister turn.

Filming with views over the Weald © ITV
Filming with views over the Weald © ITV
Daniel Mays, Penelope Wilton and Sinead Matthews © ITV
Daniel Mays, Penelope Wilton and Sinead Matthews © ITV
Filming at Boughton Monchelsea Place © ITV
Filming at Boughton Monchelsea Place © ITV

 

 

The programme was shot on location throughout Kent, with the main location being Boughton Monchelsea Place,  which doubled as Walden Manor.  A stunning 16th Century manor house, Boughton Monchelsea Place has an ancient deer park and has unrivalled views across the Kent Weald.

The house is no stranger to filming. In addition to the many fashion shoots that it has hosted, last year it played host to reality TV series Australian Princess which sees young Australians going through lessons in 'royal deportment', the winner being 'crowned' Princess.

Boughton Monchelsea Place © Kent Film Office
Boughton Monchelsea Place © Kent Film Office

The house itself is not open to the public. However they are open for events, weddings and of course filming.

The programme also filmed on location in Teston and in Herne Bay.

The novel written by Morag Joss won a CWA Silver Dagger Award in 2003. She has recently completed her fifth novel Puccini’s Ghosts.

Half Broken Things is on ITV on Sunday 28th October at 21.00

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