More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A comedy drama filmed in Kent has taken Netflix by storm.
Back to Life - which is set in Hythe and was filmed in the town along with Folkestone and Romney Marsh - was added to the online streaming service last week.
Today it is listed among the top 10 shows currently being viewed in the UK, sitting at number 7.
Over the weekend, it was number 5.
The six-part series, which originally aired on BBC Three in 2019, stars Daisy Haggard as Miri, a 36 year old who has returned to her home town after a lengthy prison service.
She moves back in with her mum and dad, played by Geraldine James and Richard Durden, and attempts a fresh start at life.
But it doesn't go smoothly, as members of the community struggle to move on from what happened all those years ago.
Filming took place at Fisherman’s beach in Hythe, which also acts as the location of the small coastal town Miri moves back to.
Several references are made to Hythe, including a made up local rag called the Hythe Enquirer, and concerns from Miri's dad that Hythe could become the 'new Margate'.
The address on Miri's CV also lists Hythe, Kent.
Views of Abbot’s Cliff, in Folkestone, and its iconic sound mirror are repeatedly shown in the series.
The sound mirror dates back to before the invention of radar and was used as an early-warning device by military air defence forces to detect incoming enemy aircraft by listening for the sound of their engines.
Several were built along the coast between the two World Wars.
Scenes for Back to Life were also shot at the Dungeness Estate and the Britannia Pub Inn, and at Lydd on Sea’s Lade Car Park.
Actress Daisy Haggard, who also created the series, took to social media to express her delight at how it has been received on Netflix.
She said on Instagram: "So happy to be top of the pops on @netflixuk!
"Thank you to everyone for spreading the word and for all the gorgeous messages.
"We were not expecting any of this. Big love to all of you and stay safe."
In another post, Daisy said: "If you haven’t watched it yet WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR??!!
"That’s three hours of lockdown sorted right there!"
A second season of Back to Life has already been confirmed and is due out this year.
Parts of Netflix's current number 1 show, Bridgerton, were also filmed in Kent at the Chatham Dockyard.
To see which big budget movies were shot in the county, click here.
