In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2025, we look back on Tinsel Town and its release.

It’s fair to assume few Knaresborough locals would have expected to see Kiefer Sutherland around town one cold February morning - or, perhaps, ever.

But alas, stories about Sutherland and his co-stars Rebel Wilson and Danny Dyer dominated the Stray Ferret’s headlines earlier this year - and have continued to do so – as the stars descended on Knaresborough during filming for Tinsel Town.

The film needs little introduction at this point, but for those of you reading who haven’t heard of Tinsel Town, it’s a festive comedy that was largely shot in Knaresborough in February.

The town was buzzing with excitement and residents eagerly awaited Knaresborough's on-screen feature until the film was released on December 5. 

Tinsel Town tells the story of Hollywood actor Bradley Mack (Sutherland) whose career is spiralling into decline. With little other option, his long-suffering agent (Katherine Ryan) lands him a theatrical role in England.

The catch: it’s a small Yorkshire town’s production of Cinderella.

It’s there Bradley becomes embroiled in the weird and wonderful world of British pantomime. 

The Hollywood takeover

Knaresborough might have played the fictional role of Stoneford, but as Kelly Teggin, owner of Kelly Teggin Hairdressing on Castlegate and member of Knaresborough and District Chamber, put it, the production felt “so authentic”.

“It’s nice to have some attention on Knaresborough. The crew haven’t covered the shop names, which made me feel so pleased for the whole street”, she told the Stray Ferret in February.

Filming took place on various streets around Knaresborough and several local businesses – including Kelly’s salon and Tommy’s Barber Shop – were visible in scenes.

Although not all the nearby businesses were spotted in the film, the streets they call home were easily identifiable: Sutherland’s character stops a burglar on Green Dragon Yard, Kieran (Dyer) goads Bradley outside The Mitre, Castle Yard is transformed into a festive Christmas market and the exterior of Knaresborough House doubles as Stoneford Magistrates Court.

Aerial shots over the River Nidd and glimpses of Waterside are brilliant adverts for a town already at the top of many tourists’ bucket list. 

Harrogate even makes a brief cameo in the film, when Park Parade doubles as a London street.  

Celeb sightings and London premiere

Residents were pictured smiling ear-to-ear with the star-studded cast during filming. 

Staff at Harrogate's Mint Velvet were shocked to see Wilson, known for her role as Fat Amy in the Pitch Perfect franchise, shopping for a coat in between takes.

“It was just like serving a normal customer – she was so friendly”, deputy manager Lucy Nightingale told the Stray Ferret at the time. 

The Stray Ferret was one of a handful of news organisations picked to attend the world premiere of Tinsel Town, which took place at Vue in Leicester Square on November 27.

We spoke to the stars, who raved about their time in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Ayda Field Williams – wife of Robbie – could be forgiven for pronouncing Knaresborough ‘narrows-borough’ after declaring her love for the local area:

Her daughter Teddy, who plays Wilson’s on-screen daughter in Tinsel Town, said the Harrogate district is “so pretty”.

The Williams family paid a visit to Bettys in between filming, which Teddy said she will “100%” be returning to.

Wilson, who also squeezed in a Bettys trip, told the Stray Ferret on the red carpet:

Wilson also praised the “lovely and warm” locals, who she said were “so embracing of us filming”.

“They were so excited about a movie like this being filmed in their town and I just really liked meeting all of them”, she added.

Comedian Katherine Ryan predicted Knaresborough will become a “tourist hotspot” in the wake of Tinsel Town. 

Success?

The film got the seal of approval from a small cohort of Knaresborough locals following an early screening of Tinsel Town on December 2. 

To celebrate the town’s stardom, a local resident named Matthew contacted a representative of Sky on LinkedIn and asked if the company would allow him to screen the film in Knaresborough ahead of its release.

The representative agreed and Matthew passed the film on to The Frazer Theatre, where two exclusive screenings were held.

Mayor of Knaresborough, Helen Westmancoat, rated the film a nine-out-of-ten at the screening and said it would be a “real boost for the town”.

Kath Barton, who lives in London but joined her friends from Knaresborough at the screening, described Tinsel Town as “joyous” and said it is a “brilliant advert” for the town.

It also proved a big hit with The Telegraph’s Gabriel Tate, who wrote the film is “more fun and insightful than your average festive flick”.

Across the pond, The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck seemed a little less impressed. In his review, he said the ending could leave viewers feeling “overstuffed, as if you’d gorged at a Christmas banquet.” Ouch. 

It has certainly been a memorable year for Knaresborough. But as viewers across the globe are treated to their first sightings of Knaresborough, Tinsel Town is a gentle reminder of the beauty local people are lucky enough to have on their doorsteps.