Ellis returned to Channel 5 for its second series, and while the show is set in the north of England, all the filming actually took place across the stunning landscapes of Northern Ireland. From picturesque coastal villages to dramatic mountains and industrial sites, the locations give the series a rich visual palette and almost feel like another character in the story.
The new series continues to follow DCI Ellis (Sharon D. Clarke) and her right-hand man DS Harper (Andrew Gower) as they investigate complex cases across seemingly quiet communities. Sharon teased that viewers can expect “more joy, more twists, more turns, more cases, more beautiful locations, more wonderful guests. Lots of red herrings, lots of clues to trip you up, but also things to make your head spin and make you think.”
Where is Ellis filmed?
Here are some of the stunning filming locations for the Channel 5 drama:
Glenarm
The fictional village of Ashenham, seen in episode one, was filmed in the coastal village of Glenarm, famously home to Glenarm Castle. Sharon described the Northern Ireland scenery as “glorious… Costa del Belfast!” adding that “you can get everywhere so quickly. So you can be in the city centre, and then you can be in rolling hillsides within moments.”
Downpatrick and Drumaness
These towns doubled as the hero village of Elmsly. Downpatrick’s Georgian brick buildings were used for the exterior of the police station and the Quinn family home, providing a striking backdrop for key scenes.
Belfast outskirts
The industrial site in episode two was filmed at a family-run building supplies company, giving the series a gritty, authentic feel.
Slemish Mountain
Dramatic scenes for Ash Tor were shot on Slemish Mountain. Sharon called the experience “brutal, but beautiful at the top… you can see the cows grazing, and there’s wind farms, and it’s just beautiful emeralds and limes and olives, there’s all manner of greens.”
Andrew Gower added: “It’s special. The landscape is amazing. You’ve got the hills, the beaches, the industry, so it’s an amazing experience. Northern Ireland really offers that. It gives each episode a real backdrop and palette to play with.”
The show’s location-based approach means viewers aren’t stuck in the same police station week after week. Each episode takes Ellis and her team to new villages, rural areas, and industrial backdrops, keeping the investigations visually engaging and adding to the drama’s suspenseful tone.
Ellis Series 2 began on Tuesday 10th March on 5. It arrives on digital 31 March and DVD 18 May from Acorn Media International.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. A devoted bookworm and TV fan, she’s always immersed in the latest shows or catching the newest films and theatre productions. When she’s not writing, Arabella enjoys cooking and exploring the outdoors with her dog.