The period comedy-drama ‘Wicked Little Letters’ based on true events that occurred in early 1920s England, the film stars Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman as two acquaintances whose relationship is strained by a series of hostile letters. It’s all set in Littlehampton, Sussex, where the events truly occurred – a beach village that became the focus of a nation when the mystery surrounding the poison-pen letters was revealed in the press.
Directed by Thea Sharrock (‘Me Before You’) and penned by writer-comedian Jonny Sweet, the film used a little production magic to bring ’20s Sussex back to life on screen – whispering neighbours, busy police constables, inquisitive broadsheet hacks, and all. Here’s how they did it.
‘Wicked Little Letters’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 9 September 2023, and was released in the United Kingdom by StudioCanal on 23 February 2024. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
The film centres around the toxic relationship between Littlehampton’s pious Edith Swan (Colman) and Irish single mum Rose Gooding (Buckley), the woman she accused of sending a series of insulting and obscene letters. Investigating police officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) quickly realises that Rose may not be the culprit.
Where was “Wicked Little Letters” Filmed?
Production began in September 2022 and continued till early October in Arundel and Worthing, with some scenes filmed in and around the former Crown Court in Aylesbury. Ben Davis served as cinematographer. Principal photography took place on Stage 1 of Pinewood Studios.
Rather than shoot in Littlehampton itself, a radically different-looking town a century on, the production used the nearby Sussex towns of Arundel and Worthing to recreate it, after initially looking at locations in Norfolk.
Arundel, Sussex
The film crew chose Arundel to recreate Littlehampton as it was in the 1920s. Arundel locals will notice their town’s high street, Bond Street, and Tarrant Street in the movie. Western Road, where Rose and Edith both live, was recreated in Arundel. The production team added fences, boards, and corrugated metal to give it an authentic period look.
Worthing, Sussex
Worthing beach and lido also feature in the movie. Worthing is famous for its appearance in another period film, ‘My Policeman’ starring Harry Styles.
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Some scenes were filmed in and around the former Crown Court in Aylesbury. This location added to the historic feel of the movie.
Pinewood Studios
Principal photography took place on Stage 1 of Pinewood Studios. This famous studio provided a controlled environment for shooting many scenes.
Art Direction and Costumes
Art director Romain Hémeray used old books and sepia postcards to recreate 1920s Littlehampton. These old materials provided better quality and detailed descriptions than internet photos.
The costumes were also carefully designed. Pictures of the real Gladys Moss were used to create her costume. She wore a flat cap, skirt, and scarf, just like in the old images.
‘Wicked Little Letters’ brings the 1920s to life with careful attention to detail in locations, set design, and costumes. The movie’s setting and visuals help tell the intriguing story of poison-pen letters in a small English town.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Wicked Little Letters
Q: Where was ‘Wicked Little Letters’ filmed?
A: ‘Wicked Little Letters’ was primarily filmed in the Sussex towns of Arundel and Worthing. Some scenes were also shot in and around the former Crown Court in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Principal photography took place on Stage 1 of Pinewood Studios.
Q: Why was Littlehampton not used for filming?
A: Littlehampton was not used for filming because it looks very different from how it did in the 1920s. Instead, the production team chose nearby Sussex towns, Arundel and Worthing, to recreate the 1920s setting more accurately.
Q: When did filming for ‘Wicked Little Letters’ take place?
A: Filming for ‘Wicked Little Letters’ began in September 2022 and continued until early October 2022.
Q: When did ‘Wicked Little Letters’ premiere?
A: ‘Wicked Little Letters’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023.
Q: When was ‘Wicked Little Letters’ released in the United Kingdom?
A: ‘Wicked Little Letters’ was released in the United Kingdom by StudioCanal on February 23, 2024.
