Weston seafront transformed for Paramount+ Blackwell filming

Crews descended on the town on Monday, November 2, to shoot scenes for Blackwell, a new crime drama for Paramount+ and CBS Studios.

The Tropicana’s former Bay Cafe was renamed the Sunrise Cafe, while Cove West was transformed into a nightclub called Club 485.

Cove West was illuminated for filming on the seafront (Image: Contributed)

North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell said ahead of filming: “Weston is heading for the screen (again).

“Our seafront is being used for filming of Blackwell, a new Paramount+ and CBS Studios series based on Matt Brolly’s Louise Blackwell detective novels, which were based in Weston-super-Mare.”

Pictures taken during filming show action vehicles being used near the Tropicana, alongside a large production crew.

Several apparent cast members could also be seen wearing dry robes between scenes.

Filming on Monday included scenes around the Tropicana and beach, the Grand Pier near Tiffany’s Restaurant and outside Cove West.

Drone filming and staged vehicle and chase scenes were also scheduled, while the Grand Pier remained open to visitors.

The former Bay Cafe became the fictional Sunrise Cafe (Image: Contributed)

Production was due to continue from midday on Tuesday, November 3, with a staged crime scene filmed on the beach near the Tropicana.

A moped and van chase was also planned around Weston Arch and Knightstone Road.

Stop-and-go traffic controls were expected to hold vehicles for around two to three minutes at a time.

Film crews gathered near the fictional Sunrise Cafe (Image: Contributed)

Cllr Bell asked residents to follow signs and marshals’ directions and allow extra time for journeys.

He added: “I’m looking forward to seeing Weston on screen and hopefully this will be a popular series as there are lots of Blackwell books to work from.”

The drama is based on Matt Brolly’s series about Detective Inspector Louise Blackwell, who investigates crimes in Weston-super-Mare.

The first book, The Crossing, begins with a body being discovered on a beach in the town.

Weston has previously hosted filming for productions including the BBC dramas Father Brown and The Dream Lands.