Where was No Return filmed? Spain filming locations for ITV Sheridan Smith drama set in Turkey

No Return is about a family holiday to Turkey, thrown into disarray when the oldest son is accused of sexual assault
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No Return, a new drama starring Sheridan Smith, began on ITV on Monday 7 February.

The series is about a family holiday to Turkey which is plunged into disarray when the oldest son is accused of sexual assault.

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Despite being set in Turkey, though, No Return is another drama which didn’t actually film where it was set (much like Missouri-set Ozark filming in Atlanta, or Bradford-set The Teacher filming in Budapest).

Where did No Return film?

As writer Danny Brocklehurst (Stay Close) explained, “it would have been too complicated to shoot in Turkey”, even before allowing for the problems of the pandemic. Instead, No Return filmed in Spain – which, according to Brocklehurst, “looks like Turkey anyway” and “all you need to do is change the signage”.

Some exterior shots were shot near Malaga, in particular the prison where son Noah is held. The interior of the prison (as well as the set for the hotel where the family stays) were specially built in Manchester, which is where production company RED is based.

Several scenes were also filmed in Bolton, with the now-closed British Home Stores building partially converted into the hotel set for No Return.

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A few early scenes, where the family are actually enjoying their holiday still, were filmed in Benalmadena, a town along the Costa del Sol. The production team had to work around a number of real-life holidaymakers who were staying at the resort during filming.

What did the cast say about it?

Speaking about filming in Spain, Sheridan Smith said “It was totally surreal to step on a plane for work. Just to get away was nice. They have very strict protocols and we were regularly tested. I was in most of the scenes so I didn’t really get time off in Spain. But it was amazing to be abroad.”

“The sun was blazing hot,” she continued. “They would come over with a brolly to try and keep us the same shade. But on the last day of filming I was like, ‘Please, just let me enjoy these last rays! It’s going to be raining when I get home.’ A final bit of sunshine for me. And I got back to torrential rain.”

Smith brought her young son with her, and explained that “I was in Budapest for six weeks on another job and I didn’t see him because we were just coming out of the pandemic. I missed him so much. So I hope if I do jobs in the future I can always have him with me. Even if it’s just for a little bit of it.”

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