The Hollywood whodunnit hosted by the village church

Last summer, a quiet corner of one of Englands oldest forests became the backdrop for Hollywood cameras. Birdsong mingled with the buzz of boom mics as the latest Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man, began shooting.

Holy Innocents Church at High Beach in Epping Forest, which has a regular congregation of around 60 parishioners, welcomed some of Hollywoods biggest names, including Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, and Mila Kunis. The small Essex church was transformed to represent a neo-gothic church in upstate New York, chosen for its historic architecture and forested surroundings.

The Reverend Jane Yeadon, team vicar at Holy Innocents, was so eager to oversee the filming that her presence on set was written into the contract. This ensured the church, built in 1873, and its graves were protected, and also reflected her enthusiasm as a fan of the series. At one point, Mila Kunis even mistook Yeadon for a film extra, causing a memorable moment of amusement.

Filming in summer 2024 made the area around the church unexpectedly busy. Yeadon described the scene as "surreal," recalling her starstruck reaction when meeting Glenn Close and the laughter sparked by Kunis mix-up. Although the church had hosted occasional student films before, it had never accommodated a commercial production of this scale.

Location manager Rachel Hyde explained that the graveyard, surrounding roads, and church interior were all used extensively, with the latter serving as a green room for actors. She noted that as London has become congested with filming, utilizing areas like the Home Counties has become increasingly valuable.

The crew also discovered that Epping Forest has a long tradition of ghost stories, with legends of figures such as highwayman Dick Turpin and Queen Boudicca. Some of the security staff reported being spooked while guarding the set late at night, adding an extra layer of atmosphere to the mystery film.

While financial details were not disclosed, the church reportedly received enough to fund essential repairs to its Grade II-listed building, including work on the boundary wall and organ. Beyond the church, the local economy benefited significantly: the Essex Film Office estimates that Wake Up Dead Man generated over 1.3 million through catering, travel, and accommodation.

With the film now released, Epping Forest is expected to attract screen tourism, thanks to the global popularity of the series. Erica Gilson of the Essex Film Office highlighted the potential to promote the region to both domestic and international visitors.

Reverend Yeadon is excited to watch the complete film, having only seen scenes filmed on location. During production at Leavesden Studios in Watford, director Rian Johnson invited her to view how the church appeared on screen and even teased her about identifying the films murderer, a moment that left her intrigued.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is now available in select cinemas and on Netflix starting 12 December.

Author's Analysis: Hollywood in High Beach

The recent filming of Wake Up Dead Man at Holy Innocents Church in Epping Forest highlights the growing trend of large-scale productions moving outside London. The choice of a small, historic church in Essex provided both a visually rich setting and practical space for actors and crew.

The presence of stars like Daniel Craig and Glenn Close drew attention not only to the film but also to the local community. Reverend Jane Yeadon’s inclusion in the filming contract ensured the preservation of the church’s 19th-century architecture and its surrounding graves, reflecting a careful balance between commercial use and heritage protection.

Economically, the production brought measurable benefits. Beyond the church’s ability to fund essential repairs, local businesses gained from catering, lodging, and transportation services, with estimated revenue exceeding £1.3 million. This underscores the potential of “screen tourism” to promote regional areas internationally.

From a cultural perspective, Epping Forest’s historical and legendary background added authenticity to the film’s atmosphere. The engagement of local staff with the site’s ghost stories, combined with the on-location filming experience, illustrates how production teams increasingly leverage unique local histories to enhance cinematic storytelling.

In conclusion, the Epping Forest shoot serves as a case study in managing high-profile productions within small communities while preserving heritage, boosting local economies, and creating opportunities for long-term tourism promotion.

Sources:

• The village church that hosted a Hollywood whodunnit