Channel 5’s detective drama Ellis returns for a second season with Sharon D Clarke back as DCI Ellis and Andrew Gower as DS Harper. The series follows the pair as they investigate troubled cases across northern England.
Even though the story is set in northern England, the show was actually filmed elsewhere. Most of the locations seen in the new season come from Northern Ireland, which doubles as the fictional towns and landscapes featured in the drama.
The second season moves between rural villages, industrial sites and scenic countryside, giving each episode a different backdrop.
Where Ellis Season 2 Was Filmed
Despite the northern England setting, the production filmed season two across several locations in Northern Ireland. The region offers a wide range of landscapes within short travel distances, which makes it a popular filming destination for television dramas.
Slemish Mountain
Slemish Mountain appears in the opening episode of the season. Scenes set around the fictional Ash Tor were filmed on the mountain in County Antrim.
The landscape offers wide views across the surrounding countryside and creates a dramatic setting for the story’s opening investigation.
Sharon D Clarke spoke about the filming experience and the scenery the cast encountered during production.
“It’s glorious. Costa del Belfast! I’m not going to lie, the weather is still brutal,” she said. “But it is so verdant.”
She added that the climb to the top of the mountain was challenging but rewarding.
“We’ve been up Slemish mountain, which was brutal, but beautiful at the top. You can see the cows grazing and wind farms. It’s just beautiful emeralds and limes and olives. There’s all manner of greens.”
Glenarm, County Antrim
The fictional village of Ashenham, which appears in the first episode, was filmed in the coastal village of Glenarm.
Glenarm is known for its harbour and for Glenarm Castle. The historic streets and coastal scenery helped create the quiet rural setting seen in the opening episode.
Belfast Industrial Site
Episode two features an industrial location connected to the investigation of a young woman’s death.
These scenes were filmed at a family run building supplies company on the outskirts of Belfast. The location was used to represent a stone works in the story.
Downpatrick and Drumaness
The villages of Downpatrick and Drumaness were used to represent the fictional town of Elmsly.
Downpatrick’s Georgian brick buildings appear in several exterior scenes, including the police station and the Quinn family home.
These locations help create the central setting for one of the investigations in the new season.
Why Northern Ireland Was Chosen for Filming
Northern Ireland has become a major filming hub in recent years. Productions often use the region because it offers coastal scenery, countryside and urban areas within a short distance.
Sharon D Clarke said the range of landscapes helped shape the filming experience.
“The fact that you can get everywhere so quickly,” she said. “You can be in the city centre, and then you can be in rolling hillsides within moments.”
She also described the scenery as one of the highlights of the production.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure seeing this countryside in all its gloriousness.”
Andrew Gower, who plays DS Harper, also praised the filming locations.
“The landscape is amazing. It gives you everything you need,” he said. “You’ve got the hills, the beaches, the industry, so it’s an amazing experience.”
He added that the scenery gives each episode its own visual character.
“It gives each episode a real backdrop and palette to play with.”
Quick Guide to Ellis Season 2 Filming Locations
| Filming Location | Used As in the Series | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Slemish Mountain | Ash Tor landscape | County Antrim |
| Glenarm | Fictional village of Ashenham | County Antrim |
| Belfast outskirts | Industrial stone works site | Northern Ireland |
| Downpatrick | Police station and town scenes | County Down |
| Drumaness | Village scenes for Elmsly | County Down |
What Ellis Season 2 Is About
The new season continues to follow DCI Ellis, a specialist investigator brought in to review failing police cases.
Each episode takes Ellis and Harper to a different community where hidden tensions often lie beneath the surface. The investigations range from the suspicious death of a respected village leader to a murder linked to a hidden network of exploitation.
Because the story moves between different towns and environments, the show relies heavily on location filming rather than a single police station setting.
FAQs
Where was Ellis season 2 filmed
Ellis season 2 was filmed in several locations across Northern Ireland, even though the story takes place in northern England.
Where is the fictional village of Ashenham filmed
The fictional village of Ashenham was filmed in Glenarm, a coastal village in County Antrim.
What locations appear in Ellis season 2
Filming locations include Slemish Mountain, Glenarm, Belfast, Downpatrick and Drumaness.
Who stars in Ellis season 2
The series stars Sharon D Clarke as DCI Ellis and Andrew Gower as DS Harper.
Where can you watch Ellis season 2
The detective drama airs on Channel 5 in the UK.
Courtesy: Manchester Evening News
