Graham Norton’s North East show Forever Home on Channel 5 tonight

And North East viewers may spot more than a few familiar locations as the six-part psychological drama was filmed largely in Northumberland.

County Durham also played a key role during production, with film crews spending weeks shooting scenes in Consett and surrounding areas.

What is Forever Home about?

Everything we know about Graham Norton’s drama Forever Home. (Image: Helen Williams)

The series is based on Graham Norton’s 2022 novel and follows Carol Crottie, played by Amy Nuttall, whose life is turned upside down when she begins investigating secrets hidden within her family home.

As her older partner Robert’s dementia worsens, Carol becomes suspicious about the disappearance of his first wife.

A shocking discovery beneath the house forces her to question everything she has been told.

The cast includes:

• Amy Nuttall
• Douglas Henshall
• Denise Welch
• Kevin Whately
• Samantha Bond
• Lewis Cope

(Image: Helen Williams)

Why was the story moved to the North East?

Norton’s original novel was set in the fictional Irish village of Ballytoor, County Cork.

For the television adaptation, producers relocated the story to the fictional Northumberland town of Allentown.

Norton said the move made the story feel “fresh”, giving it new scenery and different voices.

The series had its premiere in the North East. (Image: Supplied)

The change also allowed the production to make extensive use of North East locations and local crews.

Support came from North East Screen and the North East Production Fund.

Which North East locations feature?

County Durham

County Durham’s biggest role in the production came in Consett.

Northern Echo readers first spotted film crews in the town in January, with cast and production vehicles seen at multiple locations during filming.

Later, crews returned to shoot scenes at popular Consett restaurant The Giddy Goose on Newmarket Street.

The venue was reportedly used as a café setting, with production teams installing lighting rigs and dressing the interior for filming.

Hexham and Northumberland

Much of the series was filmed in and around Hexham.

Locations include:

• Hexham Market Place
• Hexham Rowing Club and Tyne Green
• Hexham Bridge
• Tynedale Terrace
• Stocksfield

A Victorian manor house near Stocksfield was converted into key interior sets used throughout the drama.

Why is the filming significant for the North East?

The show’s arrival is another boost for the region’s growing screen industry.

Previous Northern Echo reporting highlighted how Forever Home was backed through regional funding designed to attract major television productions to the North East.

At the time filming began, North East Screen said the fund had already supported 15 productions and invested millions of pounds into the industry locally.

County Durham has increasingly become a destination for television productions in recent years, helped by efforts to make the county more film-friendly and attract bigger projects.

When is Forever Home on TV?

Forever Home began on Channel 5 on Monday, September 14, with the six-part drama airing across consecutive nights at 9pm.

Episode two airs on Tuesday, September 15, at 9pm, with the remaining instalments continuing throughout the week.

Viewers can also stream episodes through Channel 5’s on-demand service after broadcast.