Greater Manchester has firmly cemented its reputation as a premier filming destination, having hosted high-profile productions such as Happy Valley, Peaky Blinders, and numerous Harlan Coben thrillers. Now, major studio productions are increasingly looking to the North West for their next hits—including DC’s newly-released gritty blockbuster Clayface.
Bringing the gothic decay of Batman’s Gotham City to Northern streets, the cast and crew set up shop across Manchester and surrounding areas last year, with the movie officially hitting the big screen on 23 October, 2026.
What is Clayface?
A far darker departure from conventional superhero blockbusters, Clayface explores the tragic lore of the shape-shifting creature who haunts Gotham City, alternating between formidable adversary and reluctant ally to Batman. Multiple characters have borne the Clayface mantle over the decades, each defined by body alteration, tragedy, and madness.
The film leans heavily into body horror, folk horror, psychological terror, and creature features alongside classic action-fantasy elements. The pedigree behind the camera reflects this horror-forward direction: the screenplay is written by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, Gerald’s Game), with James Watkins (Eden Lake, Speak No Evil) directing.
The cast showcases prominent British talent, led by Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen (Clayface), Naomi Ackie (The Thursday Murder Club) as Caitlin Bates, alongside Eddie Marsan and Max Minghella.
Clayface filming locations in Greater Manchester
Stockport Plaza
The striking 1932 Art Deco façade of the Stockport Plaza served as a dramatic setting for a high-profile movie premiere sequence. On-set posters revealed the premiere was for a fictional film titled The Light Between. Star Tom Rhys Harries was spotted dressed in a tailored blue suit sprinting through crowds of screaming fans, paparazzi, and red-carpet setups.
Castlefield
The historic industrial viaducts and railway arches of Castlefield in Manchester city centre were dressed to reflect Gotham’s grittier underbelly. The area was transformed with dilapidated encampments, litter, empty shopping trolleys, and weathered street posters hinting at Gotham’s turmoil. Both Harries and Naomi Ackie were seen on set, alongside Gotham City police cruisers and evidence unit vehicles indicating a major crime scene investigation.
Merseyside & Liverpool filming locations
Production also expanded across the wider North West, utilising distinctive architecture and waterfronts across Merseyside:
- Seacombe Promenade (Wirral): The ferry terminal was cordoned off for filming, with production teams utilising the entrance to the disused Birkenhead tunnel.
- Liverpool Crown Court: The civic building’s exterior was dressed to serve as Gotham Hospital.
- Liverpool Philharmonic Hall: The historic concert hall was fitted with vibrant neon signage to transform its classical exterior into “Vesuvius,” a flashy Gotham nightclub. Max Minghella was seen on location alongside arriving police vehicles, seemingly portraying a Gotham detective.
- New Brighton: The coastal town provided a nostalgic carnival backdrop, utilising seaside amusement arcades, fairground rides, and vintage automobiles outside Adventureland.
- The Cunard Building: Industrial water towers created torrential downpours across the Pier Head as umbrella-holding actors were swarmed by eager reporters outside the building, redubbed “Pinkney Tower.”
- Water Street & India Buildings: James Street station was disguised behind a vintage subway sign reading “Chestnut Avenue,” while the monumental India Buildings nearby were outfitted as Gotham City Hall.
- The World Museum: Early production days saw the grand classical exterior of Liverpool’s World Museum converted into the Gotham City Courthouse.
Clayface is now playing in cinemas across the UK. Please note the 18 certification.
