The filming for a new crime series caused some panic at the weekend in Bermondsey, including one passer-by who reported the convincing set ‘looked like a real incident.’
Steve Cornish, a Rotherhithe resident, said he was driving along on Sunday 8 October and spotted the unusual sight down Spa Road, near where it meets Grange Road.
He described what appeared to be a bus with its roof blown off – surrounded by debris.
“I quickly put the brakes on,” he told us. “I thought it was a major incident.”
He said he got out of his car and walked towards the park where he saw a man in a high-vis Southwark Council jacket.
“I asked what was going on and he said there was no need for alarm – that it was a film set.”
Steve commented on the ‘lack of signage’ to say it was a set. “They could have put signs up. There were only road diversion signs but it wouldn’t have scared me so much if I’d known. It looked so real.”
Like Steve, others went to social media to share their initial panic.
Saw this on the way to local shops this afternoon , must admit it did make me a little panicked until I realised it was a film set https://t.co/okpK7eEf2L
— Derren Harvey (@harvey_derren) October 8, 2023
One Twitter user wrote: “Saw this on the way to local shops this afternoon, must admit it did make me a little panicked until I realised it was a film set.”
Someone else on Facebook was also duped and posted a photo of the scene with the caption: “Bus blew up down Spa Road.”
But some people had answers, claiming they had been told filming would be taking place – like Bell Zeki, the owner of a cafe in Bermondsey Spa Gardens.
Asked what they were filming for, a Disney+ spokesperson said: “Disney+ were filming a new series “Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.”
Jean Charles da Silva e de Menezes was a Brazilian man killed in 2005 by Met Police officers at Stockwell station on the London Underground after being wrongly deemed one of the people involved in a failed bombing attempt, following those of the 7th July (the 7/7 bombings).
The series is being produced by Etta Pictures (part of ITV Studios), Jeff Pope and Kwadjo Dajan.
We approached the film company for comment following concerns over a ‘lack of signage’.
The Disney+ spokesperson said: “We worked closely with TFL, the police and the local council to ensure filming regulations were meticulously followed, with film signage and barriers in place, alongside marshals and security canvassing the area to make members of the public and local residents aware that filming was taking place.”
They assured production is adhering to all regulations, and told us all local residents and businesses surrounding the site were notified in advance of filming through letter drops.
A Southwark Council spokesperson, added: “We are sorry for any initial distress caused to some residents by the film scene on Spa Road.
“We took measures to ensure that the film company notified residents weeks ahead of filming and stationed marshals onsite to provide assurances and minimise any disturbances.
“On the day, officers were onsite and quickly advised that additional signage was needed and placement improved to avoid confusion. As a result, the film company promptly moved signage to address any blind spots.”
Currently, no more details are available regarding the dates of release.