After the Flood is set in the fictional town of Waterside, but where did filming for series two actually take place?
After the Flood, starring Sophie Rundle, subtly deals with climate change (Image: ITV)
After the Flood is set to return for a second series following its gripping debut in January 2024, which left viewers on the edge of their seats with a dramatic cliffhanger.
The ITV drama, which subtly explores climate change and its impact on lives, centres on the fictional town of Waterside and follows detective Jo Marshall, portrayed by Sophie Rundle. In the upcoming series, Jo has received a promotion and finds herself tackling a perplexing new murder case.
According to the synopsis: “The second series of After the Flood finds newly promoted detective Jo Marshall (Sophie Rundle) on the trail of a baffling new murder investigation. As tensions simmer in Waterside amid the rising threat of moorland fires and the subsequent risk of further flooding, a body is discovered in bizarre circumstances.
“Jo’s race to stop the killer brings her into direct conflict with powerful and influential forces within the town, ultimately drawing her into an investigation that becomes deeply personal. One that will require her to operate in secret if she is to have any hope of rooting out the corruption that has blighted the town’s police force – and her own family – for decades.”
Sophie Rundle as Joanna Marshall in After the Flood which is filmed in and around Manchester(Image: ITV)
The drama boasts an impressive ensemble cast, with Nicholas Gleaves playing corrupt officer Phil Mackie, Lorraine Ashbourne appearing as Molly Marshall, and Philip Glenister taking on the character of Jack Radcliffe.
Joining the series this year are Alun Armstrong, portraying Alan Benson, Jill Halfpenny, who assumes the role of DS Sam Bradley, and Ian Puleston-Davies, who plays councillor Tony Rower, reports the Mirror.
After the Flood is shot in and around Manchester, which arguably becomes another star of the show given the significant role the location plays in the drama’s themes.
Discussing what viewers can anticipate, writer Mick Ford described the fictional town and community, he said: “There’s murder, mystery and moral dilemmas. Waterside, the moorland town devastated by the flood, is now protected by a new flood wall, but appearances are deceiving.
Sophie Rundle as Joanna Marshall and Jill Halfpenny as DS Sam Bradley(Image: ITV)
“The community must live with the long-term consequences of climate change. So, this season examines how people carry on after disaster, when the waters have gone but the damage remains.”
Elaborating on what the North West of England location contributes to the storyline, Mick added: “The location is a beautiful character to the story because it looks so good, it’s pretty, but at the same time, this is a place where a lot of flooding is happening and where other communities are suffering.
“Locating it in places where real-life events are happening makes it feel more authentic. I always like filming in the North West, and we’ve got a brilliant cast and crew. That’s what After the Flood is taking advantage of – that we have people who work really hard, understand the local problems and how we work together to make a really good team.”
Sophie Rundle as Joanna Marshall in After the Flood series two (Image: ITV)
Most of the settings for the fictional Waterside town are in Glossop, with a few key locations found in Littleborough. The moorland outside of Waterside is actually the moorland near Wardle, Rochdale.
Series two also saw filming take place at Alderley Edge and Jackdaw Quarry in Capernwray, while scenes were additionally shot in Wythenshawe, Cheadle and Clitheroe.
After the Flood starts on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm on Sunday, January 18.