Where is Viewpoint filmed? ITV drama filming locations - and is it based on a true story

Fans of series such as the BBC’s Line of Duty will be delighted to discover there is a new cop series to binge watch - ITV’s Viewpoint.

It tells the fictional story of a branch of a town’s Policing surveillance unit, starring Noel Clarke as DC Martin Young, as he attempts to solve the mystery of a missing primary school teacher.

The five-part series debuted on ITV on 26 April and will air every Monday at 9pm. Viewers who tuned in to Monday night’s episode have been quick to question where the drama is set and where it was filmed.

So, where was Viewpoint filmed and is it based on true crime? This is what you need to know.

Where was Viewpoint filmed?

Viewpoint was filmed during 2020, in Manchester. According to Director and Executive Producer Ashley Way, the Northern city was chosen as it is a ‘filmmaker’s dream’.

She said of the location: "Manchester is a beautiful place. It's a modern city that is very much rooted in its industrial past, which for a filmmaker is a dream.”

Expanding on why it was the perfect setting for Viewpoint, she said: "There are many rich architectural textures, showing its traditional past alongside its modern future.

"You often see a lot of Castlefield and the Northern Quarter but we wanted to show people the concrete and glass, and the beautiful Georgian streets that it's not necessarily known for.

"We wanted to energise the story with all these architectural styles. Thankfully Manchester has all that in abundance."

While the scenes were shot in Manchester, the story is set in a town similar to the city.

Is Viewpoint based on true events?

While the series was filmed in Manchester, the crimes and surveillance which take place throughout the five episodes are not based on a true story, however they are inspired by real events.

The fictional storyline tells of DC Young as he uses the home of single mum, Zoe Sterling, to set up police surveillance after local teacher Gemma Hillman goes missing.

Young and his colleague, DC Stella Beckett, use the room to monitor their prime suspect, Gemma’s partner.

The show’s writer, Harry Bradbeer, explained to ITV where the inspiration for their drama came from.

Speaking to ITV, Bradbeer said a police officer once asked his neighbour if they could use her spare room for surveillance of the neighbourhood.

He said: “He was there for a couple of weeks, peering through a chink in the curtains, but never revealing who he was looking at.

“She became intrigued and gradually worked out it was a case of drug dealing in the opposite house but it was odd having this man there.

“Her husband was away on business – it was both rather tense and erotic having this strange man in her flat.

“It struck me as a great premise for a TV series. What if the police are investigating a murder and what if a relationship developed between the policeman and his host?”

Executive producer Lucy Bedford added: “As soon as Harry told me about the true story that inspired Viewpoint, I was instantly hooked and it has been a real joy to see such a rich and fruitful collaboration spring up between him and the very talented Ed Whitmore.”

How to watch Viewpoint?

Viewpoint aired on ITV from Monday, 26 April.

However, the final episode has been pulled for ITV’s schedule following sexual harassment allegations made against lead actor Noel Clarke.

The finale was due to air on 30 April, but the night before it was revealed that 20 women have made bullying and sexual harassment allegations against Clarke.

As such, ITV released a statement, it said: “ITV has a zero tolerance policy to bullying, harassment and victimisation and robust procedures in place to investigate and deal with any complaints.

“We strongly believe that everyone deserves to work in a supportive and safe environment.

“In light of the very serious nature of the allegations against Noel Clarke raised by 20 women in the Guardian’s report, ITV has decided it is no longer appropriate to broadcast the final episode of the drama Viewpoint on ITV main channel this evening.

ITV has decided it is no longer appropriate to broadcast the final episode of the drama Viewpoint on ITV main channel this evening.

“We are mindful that some of our viewers have already invested four hours of their time over the past four nights in following this thriller which was due to conclude this evening, and they have yet to see the final episode.

“As such we plan to make it available on ITV Hub tonight for a limited time for any viewers who wish to seek it out, and watch its conclusion.”