How a TV show has drawn Australians and Americans to a seaside town
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What happens to a pretty seaside town when film crews descend upon it?
People in “Port Devine” – with its multi-coloured houses, a lighthouse and spectacular views over Scotland on a clear day – have been experiencing the effects for five years now.
Its real name is Donaghadee and while its coastal charm has been long appreciated by locals and day-trippers alike, its alter ego has captured the hearts of many more as home to the popular BBC police drama Hope Street.
Fans have flocked to the County Down town since filming first started in 2021.
Kathryn Strain, who is a member of the Chunky Dunkers sea swimming group in Donaghadee, says it’s common to see tourists from cruise ships visiting Belfast making trips to the town.
“You can hear them saying, ‘oh, that’s where the police station was, and oh, this is so and so’s house’,” so it has been great, it has been good for the town, definitely,” she told BBC News NI.
Some of the Hope Street cast and crew have also braved the cold of Irish Sea and enjoyed – or maybe not – a dip.
Like many locals, Kathryn can be spotted in Hope Street episodes as an extra.
“I think my most famous [part] was, and as my husband says I’ve got the face for a funeral, I was in it at a funeral,” she jokes.
Her friend, Bridie McElhill, who also swims with the Chunky Dunkers, says the show has helped put Donaghadee “on the map”.
“People come to Donaghadee now to see the town and see all the locations where the filming has taken place.
“I do think it has brought people into the town, and that’s great for the town.”
BBC/Long Story TV
Fans can also now own a piece of Hope Street history as a local charity shop is selling costumes from the show.
A feature film – starring Finnian Garbutt who died in April from skin cancer – is due to be released in the autumn.
At the Stormy Cup cafe, staff had become accustomed to serving cast and crew members in recent years, but now they are catering for more tourists.
Cafe manager, Brooke Pennick, says when Hope Street first came to town there was a buzz.
“For locals, being able to see it happen right in front of their eyes, in front of their front doors, to crowds gathering down at the pier in the evenings to watch parts of that was such a special thing.”
Now, thanks to the show, she says more visitors are arriving in the town.
“We do have a lot of tourists coming here and wanting to see where things were filmed and go to proper sets and understand the logistics behind it.
“It’s been wonderful, it’s been something really special.”
A local pub and restaurant was used as the fictional venue The Commodore in the drama.
Sarah Cochrane, general manager of Pier 36, says people are coming to the town to find out more about sites and venues used for the drama.
“Over the summer we’ve had visitors from America, we’ve had Australian visitors that have watched the show.
“We’ve seen people from all over the place.”
One of Our Own – A Hope Street Film will air on the BBC this autumn following a cinema release across Northern Ireland in September, and further UK releases in October 2026.
