Where was ITV's The Blame filmed? Location guide

The Blame is one of ITV's most anticipated crime dramas for 2026, pairing Brassic star Michelle Keegan with Douglas Booth as two detectives drawn into a murder investigation that exposes lies, cover-ups and corruption.

The six-part thriller opens with the discovery of the body of 16-year-old figure skater Sophie Madsen, setting DI Emma Crane and DI Tom Radley on a case that tests loyalties inside and outside the police force.

Made by Quay Street Productions, the series was filmed in and around London, with production spotted across several locations.

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You can read more about where the cast and crew were based below.

The Blame was shot in and around London.

Alexandra Palace

The ice-skating rink and exterior of Alexandra Palace feature prominently throughout the series.

East Finchley

"You had to find a police station that was visually interesting because a good chunk of the drama takes place there," said producer Matt Strevens.

"We eventually found [Pentland Centre], this empty lakeside business park in East Finchley that felt like a campus with lots of different styles of building. The one that became our police station was just perfect."

He continued: "It had this 1970’s design and was completely believable as somewhere that had been built just on the outskirts of town.

"The place was also surrounded by trees and fields, which allowed for a very easy link to the location work we were going to do."

Hertford

Pubs The Salisbury Arms and The Old Barge feature in the series, while Emma's house was also located in Hertford.

"One of my loveliest memories was going to Michelle's character’s home – we put her in a picturesque cottage by a river," said Strevens. "While filming there, all the crew camped out in an old coaching hotel called the Salisbury Arms."

The scene when Emma and Tom kiss for the first time was also filmed in Hertford.

Other key locations include:

• Parts of Epping Forest.
• Walthamstow - Tom's apartment.
• The community policing event scenes – where Sophie was last spotted – were filmed across Hertford, Walthamstow and Epping.

Where is The Blame set?

The story unfolds in the fictional town of Wakestead, but was actually primarily filmed in London.

"We knew finding somewhere that could be our Wakestead – this upwardly mobile, bucolic, aspirational Middle England market town would be a challenge," said Strevens.

"It had to be the sort of place where people would turn to and respect the local police force."

The Blame airs on ITV and ITVX on Sunday 20 September.

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