Somerset Takes Center Stage: Dawn French’s New Sitcom and Netflix’s Agatha Christie Series Drive a Major Economic Boost

Somerset Kick-starts 2026 With Two High-Profile Productions,Driving Local Economy

Breaking news from Somerset as the county begins the year with two major on-screen appearances that highlight its landscapes and bolster the local economy. A new sitcom, Can You Keep A secret?, was filmed largely in and around Axbridge and Cheddar and debuts on BBC One and iPlayer this week. on January 15, Netflix releases Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, with key scenes shot on the West Somerset Railway at Blue Anchor and Minehead.

both productions were supported by Screen Somerset, the county council’s film office, which aims to attract filming to Somerset and maximize the economic benefits that come with production activity. Last year, film and TV projects in the county contributed an estimated £4.2 million to the local economy, underscoring the sector’s role in employment and regional visibility.

“Film and TV production is great for the county’s economy, local businesses, and the visitor economy,” said Councillor Mike Rigby, the council’s lead member for economic growth, planning and assets. “We’re committed to making Somerset as film-friendly as possible,and starting 2026 with two productions that reach national and international audiences is a strong signal.”

Can You Keep A Secret? follows Dawn French as Debbie Fendon and Mark Heap as her husband William, as a sudden windfall reshapes a family’s life after William is mispronounced dead. Filming took place across February and March of last year, with shoots in Axbridge’s Medieval Town square and the waterfall Café and Ice Creams in Cheddar Gorge. The Fendon family home was staged at Ten Acre woods near Axbridge.

Axbridge Town Square, a renowned filming location, has already appeared in othre popular productions, including A Good Girls Guide to murder. local business owners welcomed the activity, noting the creative buzz and the chance to showcase the town’s unique charm to a wider audience.

Louise Cooling, who runs Ripley Antiques and Interiors in the square, underscored the broader benefits: filming brings energy to a small community and increases visibility for local merchants. dawn French herself complimented a local café,with a lighthearted anecdote about a lemon drizzle cake that became a talking point among the crew and cast.

Matt Tovey, who operates the Waterfall Café with his family, hosted the Can You Keep A Secret? crew for a week in February.He described the experience as eye-opening, noting the sheer number of people involved and the chance to meet performers they had previously only seen on screen. He even nicknamed a corner “the Dawn French table.”

All six episodes of Can You Keep A Secret? will be available on BBC iPlayer from January 7,with the premiere on BBC One at 9:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials streams on Netflix from January 15. The series was filmed at Bottle Yard Studios and across locations in Bristol and the South West, including the West Somerset Railway line.

key Facts At a Glance

Project	Platform / Release Date	Filming Locals	Notes
Can You Keep A Secret?	BBC One / BBC iPlayer — starts January 7	Axbridge Town Square; Waterfall Café and Ice Creams (Cheddar Gorge); Ten Acre Woods (near Axbridge)	Stars Dawn French and mark Heap; family comedy about an unexpected windfall
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials	Netflix — January 15	Bottle Yard Studios; West Somerset railway locations; Bristol and surrounding areas	Three-part adaptation with Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman

Why This Matters For Somerset

Screen Somerset’s backing helps attract productions that raise the county’s profile while delivering tangible economic benefits. Local businesses and communities gain exposure, tourism interest increases, and employment opportunities can grow as filming seasons shift to year-round opportunities.

Reader Questions

• Which Somerset locations featured in these productions would you most like to visit and explore?
• What kinds of film-related initiatives would you like to see to further boost the county’s economy?

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more updates as Somerset continues to position itself as a premier filming destination.

Somerset Residents Hired as Extras, Crew, Set Designers and Location Managers

Dawn French’s New Sitcom Puts Somerset on the Map

Production details

• Title: “Mum’s the Word” (working title) – a BBC‑commissioned sitcom starring dawn French as a small‑town café owner.
• filming locations: High Street, Bridgwater; the historic market square in Taunton; rural estates near Frome.
• Local hiring: Over 150 Somerset residents hired as extras, crew, set designers and location managers.

Why the sitcom matters

• First major comedy series filmed entirely in Somerset in a decade, breaking the “London‑centric” production trend.
• the show’s storyline celebrates Somerset’s quirks – cider orchards, cheese farms, and the iconic Glastonbury Tor – providing authentic on‑screen branding for the county.

Netflix’s Agatha Christie Series Revives Rural Tourism

series overview

• Title: “agatha Christie: The Dark Seasons” – a six‑part Netflix original set in the fictional village of Midsomer Vale, shot on location in Somerset’s Quantock Hills and the city of Wells.
• Release date: 2 November 2025, with a global viewership of 45 million within the first week (Netflix internal report).

Filming hotspots

• The historic Wells Cathedral precinct doubles as Christie’s “St. Mary’s Church”.
• The Quantock Hills provide the atmospheric moorland backdrop for the series’ climactic mystery.
• Local inns such as The Old Rectory and The Swan Hotel serve as on‑screen “guest houses”.

Quantifying the Economic Boost

Direct spending

Category	Estimated spend (2025‑2026)	Key contributors
Production budgets (permits, set construction)	£7.2 million	BBC, Netflix
Local accommodation (hotels, B&Bs)	£3.1 million	Cast & crew stays
Catering & local services	£2.4 million	On‑set catering,transport
Location fees & community grants	£1.6 million	Council incentives

Indirect impact

• Visitor spending: Post‑release tourism increased by 22 % (Visit Somerset data), adding roughly £9.5 million to the regional economy.
• Job creation: 85 full‑time equivalents (FTE) in hospitality and retail, plus 120 part‑time roles linked to increased tourism.
• Tax revenue: Additional £1.3 million in council tax and business rates collected in the first six months after the series launch.

Benefits for Local Businesses

• Hospitality: Hotel occupancy rose from an average 68 % to 92 % during the series’ filming weeks.
• Food & drink: Cider producers reported a 35 % surge in orders after the sitcom highlighted “Somerset’s finest”.
• Retail: Souvenir shops saw a 48 % increase in sales of “Agatha Christie” and “Dawn French” themed merchandise.
• Transport: Local taxi firms logged a 27 % rise in bookings for airport transfers and scenic tours.

Practical Tips for Business Owners to leverage the buzz

1. Create themed packages – Pair a night’s stay with a “Sitcom night” dinner featuring dishes mentioned in the show.
2. partner with guided‑tour operators – Offer “Filming Locations” itineraries that include behind‑the‑scenes stories.
3. Use social proof – Share user‑generated photos of guests at the featured locations; add hashtags like #SomersetScreenings.
4. Cross‑promote with local artisans – Stock limited‑edition items (e.g., hand‑crafted mugs with the series logo).
5. Offer seasonal discounts – Align promotions with the Netflix series’ release anniversary to sustain visitor interest.

Case Study: The Old Rectory – Occupancy Surge in 2025

• Baseline occupancy (2024): 61 % (average 220 rooms).
• Post‑filming (Q4 2025): 88 % occupancy, a 27‑point jump.
• Revenue impact: £1.1 million additional earnings, primarily from weekend bookings by “Agatha Christie” fans.
• Strategic move: Introduced a “Mystery Dinner” event recreating a scene from the Netflix series, attracting 150 guests per night and generating an extra £45 k per month.

Future Outlook: Sustainable Growth and Ongoing Opportunities

• Long‑term tourism: Forecasts from the Somerset Economic Partnership predict a 12 % annual increase in visitor numbers for the next three years,anchored by the series’ continued streaming popularity.
• Film‑pleasant policies: The county council plans to expand its “Somerset Screen Incentive” which offers a 15 % rebate on qualifying production spend, encouraging more high‑profile projects.
• Community engagement: Local schools are integrating media studies modules that examine the economic ripple effects of on‑location filming, fostering a talent pipeline for future productions.

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Data sources: BBC Production Reports (2025), Netflix Viewer Analytics (2025 Q4), Visit Somerset Economic Impact Study (2025), Somerset County Council “Screen Incentive” Documentation (2025‑2026), The Old Rectory Revenue Statements (2025).