Havering has provided the backdrop to sci-fi films, hosted EastEnders actors, and even been transformed into famous streets from Harry Potter in recent years.
A surprising number of places across the borough have been used as filming locations, for everything from football hooligan movies to Pepsi Max ads.
After a pub in Harold Hill was used to shoot scenes for a new action film at the beginning of the month, we thought we would explore some of these locations.
Here are five streets, shopping centres and buildings across Havering you might not know have been used for filming.
Did you spot the film crew, actors or drones at the time? Let us know in the comment section below 👇🎥
Romford Shopping Hall
Danny Dyer visited Romford Shopping Hall in February 2024 to shoot scenes for Marching Powder, an action-comedy featuring football hooligans.
The former EastEnders actor was pictured at the historic shopping hall as filming took place between 5pm and midnight, alongside around 100 cast members, film crew and shopkeepers.
Springfield Gardens, Upminster
Springfield Gardens in Upminster was reportedly transformed into Privet Drive for filming of the new Harry Potter HBO series.
Tudor-style houses on the residential street resemble the version of the famous street created as a set for the original Harry Potter films.
The crew is believed to have captured drone-style, sweeping footage for scenic shots in August 2025.
Bretons Manor, Rainham
Film crews descended on Bretons Manor in April 2022 to shoot scenes for sci-fi film Dream Hacker.
The Grade II-listed manor, which dates from 1742, welcomed a cast and crew for the production, which featured Glynis Barber, Molly Hanson and Mark Williams.
The Mercury Shopping Centre, Romford
The Mercury Shopping Centre became a filming location in earlier this year when production crews arrived to work on a Pepsi Max advert.
PepsiCo confirmed filming for the advert had been taking place in Romford, with crews spotted across several locations in the town, including The Mercury and South Street.
Beauly Way, Rise Park
Residents spotted cameras and production vehicles around Beauly Way in Rise Park in September 2025.
Film crews from Quay Street Productions were shooting for an unidentified television series, although the production company declined to confirm any details about the show at the time.
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