PATIENCE is a six-part British-Belgian detective drama television series that introduces viewers to Detective Inspector Bea Metcalf, portrayed by Laura Fraser, and Patience Evans, played by Ella Maisy Purvis(herself autistic), an autistic police archivist. Set in the historic city of York, the show centers on the professional partnership between Bea and Patience, offering a fresh, sensitive look at neurodiversity within the crime drama genre. Inspired by the French series Astrid et Raphaëlle, Patience takes care to authentically depict neurodiverse characters—played by neurodiverse actors—while wrapping their stories in compelling criminal investigations.
Though the story is deeply rooted in York, many scenes were also filmed in Belgium and France, lending the series a blend of British heritage and continental modernism.
WHEN AND WHERE WAS PATIENCE FILMED?
Filming for Patience began in April 2024, with production crews spotted in York from April 23–29. Several iconic landmarks and hidden corners of the city were transformed into shooting locations. While the exteriors were mainly filmed in Yorkshire to establish an authentic sense of place, interior and supplemental sequences were shot in Belgium and France, making the most of practical, cost-effective studio options and unique architectural features.
One of York’s most recognizable streets, The Shambles—a narrow, medieval alleyway with overhanging timber-framed buildings—was featured prominently in several episodes. Despite its popularity with tourists, the production managed to capture quiet, near-empty shots of this often-crowded street.
2. York Minster & Precentor’s Court
Precentor’s Court, located just opposite York Minster, served as the location for Patience’s godfather’s home. York Minster itself, with its grand Gothic architecture and spires, appears throughout the series in sweeping establishing shots. The south side of the Minster, near the statue of Roman Emperor Constantine, was a key filming site.
3. River Ouse & Lendal Bridge
The River Ouse and its scenic embankments feature in multiple sequences, including one involving Laura Fraser’s DI Metcalf. The Lendal Bridge, a 19th-century structure with striking Gothic towers, adds charm and historical weight to the visuals.
4. The Grand Hotel (Railway Hotel)
The luxurious Grand Hotel, a five-star establishment and former North Eastern Railway headquarters, doubled as the fictional “Railway Hotel.” Key scenes involving DI Bea Metcalf and DS Jake Hunter (played by Nathan Welsh) were filmed here.
5. Clifford’s Tower
Clifford’s Tower
A powerful York symbol, Clifford’s Tower appears in the fifth episode, “My Brother’s Keeper.” Built by William the Conqueror, it towers over the city and offers panoramic views—both real and cinematic.
6. York Castle Museum
In Episode 3, “The Missing Link,” exterior shots of the York Castle Museum were used. Although the interior was not filmed on site, its historic façade was essential in grounding the location in York.
7. Monkgate Yard, Stonegate & Blake Street
These bustling central York streets added rich urban texture to the series. Monkgate Yard, close to York’s medieval walls, and Stonegate, a historic shopping street, were used for street-level detective scenes, providing a glimpse into the city’s charming yet intricate layout. Blake Street, with its Georgian façades, offered a more modern yet classically British backdrop.
8. Claremont Terrace (Gillygate Area)
Tucked off Gillygate, this Victorian-era residential street features distinctive brick terraces and ornamental ironwork. Its traditional architecture provided an ideal setting for more intimate scenes, including neighborhood-based investigations in the series.
9. Station Rise
Filming took place near Station Rise, a road adjacent to York railway station. This area was partially closed off during production. The site’s proximity to The Grand Hotel gave it a natural cinematic flow for scenes involving character arrivals and departures from the fictional “Railway Hotel.”
A serene residential street near Fulford, New Walk Terrace allowed the showrunners to capture a quieter, more suburban atmosphere, contrasting nicely with the city center sequences.
11. Victoria Bar
This lesser-known 19th-century gate in York’s historic walls, opened in 1838 to ease traffic, served as a subtle but important backdrop in a few chase and transition scenes. Its presence subtly anchors the narrative within York’s unique city structure.
12. Monk Bar
One of York’s most iconic medieval gates, Monk Bar features prominently in the first episode, “Paper Mountain.” Built in the 14th century, it is the tallest and most elaborate of York’s remaining bars (gatehouses), and provides a strong historic visual for scenes introducing viewers to the city.
13. York Art Gallery & Bootham Bar
In the fourth episode, “The Locked Room,” a critical investigation takes place near York Art Gallery, just steps from the ancient Bootham Bar gate. This area allowed the production to showcase York’s artistic and architectural duality—mixing centuries-old defense walls with cultural institutions.
14. York City Rowing Club
Located along the River Ouse, this club provided a striking riverside location for scenes involving Patience Evans, played by Ella Maisy Purvis. The club’s placement by the water adds depth to moments of reflection and private dialogue.
BELGIUM FILMING LOCATIONS
Much of the series’ interior filming, including police station and apartment scenes, took place in Belgium.
1. Lier (City of York Police Station) The fictional York police station was actually filmed in Lier, Belgium, in a Brutalist-style administrative building on Kruisbogenhofstraat. The building, vacant at the time, gave the production team creative freedom to adapt it for their needs.
2. Antwerp (Patience’s Apartment) Patience Evans’ attic flat was filmed in a residential home in Antwerp, Belgium. The city provided the production with a mix of residential and institutional settings suitable for transforming into British equivalents.
3. CBR Building (Near Brussels) The modernist CBR Building near Brussels, notable for its place in MoMA’s list of iconic architectural works, was used as an exterior location for administrative sequences.
FRENCH FILMING LOCATIONS
Natural History Museum of Lille
The interior of the York Castle Museum in Episode 3 was actually filmed inside the Zoology section of the Natural History Museum in Lille, France. Lille’s proximity to the Belgian border made it a convenient extension of the European shoot.
PATIENCE SEASON 2
Following the success of its debut season, Patience has been renewed for a second season, with filming taking place in May 2025. Actress Jessica Hynes is joining the cast for the new episodes.
The makers of Patience crafted a visually rich and geographically layered world by blending real-life Yorkshire charm with the versatility of Belgian and French settings. From the winding alleys of The Shambles to the bold lines of Brutalist Belgian buildings, the production made full use of its filming locations to support the series’ themes of contrast, complexity, and connection.
For fans of TV tourism, many of these York locations are open to the public and waiting to be explored.
PATIENCE SEASON 2 TRAILER
For an earlier overview of Patience, including cast and storyline, read our January feature [here].
For more updates and filming locations of other British dramas, stay connected with netfilming.com.
Hazel Lewis is the Senior News Writer at Net Filming and a passionate fan of movies, comics, and television, with a collection to match. When she's not diving into pop culture, Hazel enjoys spending time with her two daughters and her beloved dog. She's also an avid gym-goer, a fine coffee enthusiast, and a devoted doughnut lover.
