It seems to be widely accepted these days that Stephen Merchant was the real brains behind The Office and Extras… And his latest TV show, the crime-thriller-comedy, The Outlaws – about a group of strangers from different walks of life forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol – is no less loved.
Utilising Bristol locations as varied as the characters in the show – from Clifton Village to Barton Hill – it often looks like a love letter to the city. So, of course, we’re excited about its third series return next week (May 30 on BBC One), with the whole of Bristol (or at least it feels like it) turning up for the new five-part series.
Production was again based at The Bottle Yard Studios, where sets were built for key interiors, but a host of city locations and beyond featured during the 14-week shoot. This includes St Werburgh’s City Farm, which features prominently as its where our ‘Outlaws’ are completing their community service, as well as on the coast of nearby Weston-Super-Mare.
“I love the fact we get to feature different pockets of the city, and in the instance of series three, we are in a city farm,” said writer/director, Stephen Merchant (who also plays Greg). “I love showcasing the city. It’s very visual, it’s full of street art, and it’s very hilly which adds interesting depths to the show. Also, the people of Bristol are very welcoming to us. I like the idea of making it another character in the show. In this show, it gets to play itself”
Filming at St Werburgh’s City Farm took place from the end of May to mid-June 2023. . An independent registered charity, the Farm offers “a green oasis in the heart of Bristol. It also provides educational and recreational services, including a working livestock farm, gardens and playground open daily with free entry, environmental youth work, community events, building hire and café.
The Outlaws series 3 filming locations:
- The Bottle Yard Studios, Hengrove (including Greg’s flat, Myrna’s flat, Ben’s flat, Halloran & Sons factory offices, probation offices, police station interview rooms and a fertility clinic.)
- St Peters Rise, Knowle
- Belland Drive and Emmet Wood, Whitchurch
- The Washington Guesthouse, Clifton
- Guthrie Road, Clifton
- The Kensington Arms, Redland
- Francombe House and Redcliffe Underpass, Redcliffe
- The Architect Bar, Bristol Harbourside
- King Square, Stokes Croft
- Hillyfield Road, Headley Park
- Somerset Street, Kingsdown
- The Tablisi Room, Bristol City Hall
- Unite Students, Brunel House, St George’s Road
What do I need to know about The Outlaws’ Series 3?
If like us, you’ve completely forgotten what happened in the previous two series, hopefully this description will jog some memories:
As series three begins, with crime boss The Dean, (Claes Bang, Bad Sisters) behind bars awaiting trial, The Outlaws are moving on with their lives—until one of their own returns with a deadly secret, hurling them back into mortal danger. As a murder manhunt closes in on the gang, can they prove their innocence before The Dean’s case collapses, and he comes looking for revenge?
You can also watch the trailer here:
The Outlaws is a Big Talk Studios and Four Eyes production co-created by Stephen Merchant—who also serves as an executive producer, director, and writer—and Elgin James. Series 3 begins May 30 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and May 31 on Amazon Prime Video.