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Have you ever been watching a hit TV drama and thought: 'I'm sure I've walked past that building before?'
You aren't imagining it; Leeds has quietly become a powerhouse for television production, serving as the backdrop for some of the biggest global hits of the last decade.
From the rolling hills of the Dales to the gritty, industrial corners of our city centre, Yorkshire has long been a favourite of location scouts and directors.
But while many shows wear their Yorkshire heart on their sleeve, others use Leeds as a 'chameleon,' with our local landmarks doubling for everything from 1920s Birmingham to the streets of London.
Be it 1970s soaps to modern Netflix mega-hits, here are 17 essential Yorkshire-filmed shows every local should see, including 10 that were made right here in Leeds.
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7. Emmerdale (1972–Present)
The ultimate Yorkshire soap is firmly rooted in Leeds. While interior scenes are filmed at the ITV Studios on Kirkstall Road, the famous village set is located on the Harewood Estate. | ITV
8. National Treasure (2016)
The Channel 4 drama starring Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters was filmed in Wakefield's County Hall, as well as parts of Pontefract and Normanton. All episodes are available on All4. | Channel 4
9. Happy Valley (2014–2023)
While famously set in the Calder Valley, Leeds makes several major cameos. Leeds Railway Station and Kirkgate Market both feature in high-tension scenes, including Tommy Lee Royce’s infamous escape in season three. | BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire
10. Drifters (2013–2016)
Written by Bingley-born Jessica Knappett, this cult classic follows three graduates navigating a quarter-life crisis in Leeds. While much of the filming took place in the south, the show is a love letter to the city, featuring Headingley flat-shares and the painfully relatable struggle of handing out flyers on Briggate. | Channel 4
11. All Creatures Great and Small (2020–Present)
This modern reboot of James Herriot’s cherished stories is essential viewing. While the 1970s original was a staple of British TV, the new series has brought the Dales to a whole new generation. Filming is centred in the historic village of Grassington, which doubles as the fictional town of Darrowby. | Channel 5
12. Gentleman Jack (2019–2022)
This production is a love letter to Halifax, filming extensively at Lister’s actual ancestral home, Shibden Hall. The show also makes brilliant use of The Piece Hall and the winding streets of Sowerby Bridge and Ripponden, bringing the grit and grandeur of industrial-era West Yorkshire to life with incredible authenticity. | BBC