From Hollywood to Prime-Time TV: Behind the Scenes With Thames Rockets

Behind the Scenes With Thames Rockets

Harry Potter, Top Gear, The Apprentice and a James Bond-inspired Joe Swash. What do they all have in common? They've all brought a little television and movie magic to the River Thames, with Thames Rockets playing a part behind the scenes.

London is no stranger to the spotlight. From Hollywood blockbusters to Saturday night television, the capital has been stealing scenes for decades. And while the cameras are usually pointed towards its famous streets and landmarks, some of the most interesting filming happens right in the middle of the river.

At Thames Rockets, we're best known for high-speed sightseeing adventures, but there's another side to what we do. Over the years, our boats and crews have supported an impressive collection of film and TV productions in London, working with broadcasters, production companies and creative teams looking to capture something a little different.

And when we say we've had some interesting days at work, we really do mean it.

From Hogwarts to the River Thames

Let's start with a little Hollywood magic.

Long before we were welcoming today's thrill-seekers aboard our famous red speedboats, our filming history included one of the biggest film franchises in the world: Harry Potter.

Our vessels were involved in the Thames scenes of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a rather impressive addition to the company CV.

Now, we can't promise a trip to Hogwarts or a personal introduction to Professor Dumbledore, but being part of a production of that scale certainly says something about the versatility of filming on London's most famous waterway.

It's also a reminder that filming on the River Thames isn't simply about capturing a pretty skyline. Sometimes the boats themselves are part of the production. Other times, it's about getting a camera crew into the right position to capture a scene that wouldn't be possible from the riverbank.

And while we haven't quite mastered the art of flying broomsticks, navigating the Thames is something we know rather well.

Top Gear, The Graham Norton Show and a Rather Impressive TV CV

Of course, Hollywood isn't the only industry that's discovered the appeal of a London speedboat.

Over the years, Thames Rockets has worked with productions including Top Gear, The Graham Norton Show and Soccer AM, bringing a healthy dose of speedboat action to the world of British television.

Then there's The X Factor, Surprise Surprise, Dogs Might Fly, ITV News and BBC Children in Need. Quite the collection, really.

It's an interesting mix because these productions aren't all looking for the same thing. An entertainment programme might want an exciting experience for its presenters or guests, while a news crew or documentary team may need a completely different approach to TV filming on the Thames.

That's what makes the river such a brilliant location. One day it's the setting for a lively television segment, the next it's helping a production team capture the London skyline from an entirely new angle.

We may not have a dressing room full of celebrity riders or a Hollywood-style trailer parked beside the pier, but we do have a fleet of boats, experienced skippers and a city that rarely needs much help looking good on camera.

Even Lord Sugar's Candidates Have Been on Board

If there's one television programme where you might expect people to be put through their paces, it's The Apprentice.

But not every challenge has to involve selling something questionable on a market stall.

Thames Rockets was selected to take some of Lord Alan Sugar's candidates out on the River Thames, swapping the boardroom for something considerably faster.

And honestly, after all those tense meetings and boardroom showdowns, a blast along the Thames probably felt like a welcome change of scenery.

It's exactly the sort of experience that works so well on television. There's genuine excitement, plenty of personality and the sort of reactions that are difficult to manufacture in a studio.

For us, it's another example of how London speedboat experiences can become part of a production's story rather than simply providing transport between locations.

Although we should probably point out that nobody gets fired at the end of our trips.

The Name's Swash. Joe Swash.

Now, this is where things get particularly entertaining.

When ITV came to Thames Rockets to film a James Bond-inspired segment for Loose Women, presenter Joe Swash arrived at London Eye Pier looking every inch the secret agent.

Tuxedo? Check. Film crew? Check. Speedboat waiting for action? Absolutely.

Subtle, sophisticated undercover behaviour? Well, not quite.

According to our original account of the filming day, Joe discovered the boat's stereo system and promptly turned up Girls Just Want to Have Fun, dancing around the deck before the cameras got properly rolling.

Not exactly the entrance you'd expect from 007, but considerably more entertaining.

Once the filming began, our crew took Joe and the production team along the Thames to capture pieces to camera at recognisable Bond-related locations, finishing with some high-speed action near MI6.

It had all the ingredients of a proper London television moment: iconic locations, a famous face, a little action and a presenter who clearly wasn't taking the whole secret-agent business too seriously.

You can read the full story in our original feature, The Name's Swash... Joe Swash.

And if you're wondering whether filming days are always quite that entertaining, we'd love to tell you yes. But not everyone arrives with their own impromptu dance routine.

Behind the Camera, There's a Lot More Going On

The finished footage might only last a few minutes, but getting those shots on the river takes considerably more planning.

For production teams, boat filming in London presents opportunities you simply don't get on dry land. Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, The Shard, Canary Wharf and the London Eye all offer recognisable backdrops, with the changing river perspective adding movement and depth to a shot.

But the Thames is also a working waterway. Tides, river traffic, weather, filming equipment and the proposed route all need to be considered before anyone calls 'action'.

That's where our experience comes in.

Thames Rockets has spent years working on the river, providing vessels and crew for everything from television appearances to commercial filming in London. We understand that production schedules matter, that camera crews need time to set up and that getting the right shot sometimes means approaching a location in a very particular way.

A good filming day isn't just about how exciting the footage looks afterwards. It's about making the practical side work so the creative team can concentrate on what they're there to do.

For anyone planning a shoot, Film London's filming guidance is a useful starting point for understanding location permissions. Commercial filming on the tidal Thames also requires the appropriate approval and licence from the Port of London Authority, as outlined in Film London's River Thames location guidance.

Because even Hollywood has to follow the river rules.

Lights, Camera, Rockets. What's Next?

From a Hollywood blockbuster to some of Britain's best-known television programmes, our filming history has taken us into a few rather unexpected corners of the entertainment industry.

And that's part of what makes working on the Thames so interesting. Every production arrives with a different idea, a different brief and a different vision of London.

Some want dramatic high-speed footage. Others need a moving camera platform, a recognisable London backdrop or a memorable experience for the people appearing on screen.

Our River Thames filming services are designed to help production companies, broadcasters, photographers and creative agencies explore what's possible, with vessels, experienced crews and local river knowledge.

So, if you're planning your next London film production, television segment, documentary or branded campaign and think the River Thames deserves a starring role, we'd love to hear about it.

Hollywood blockbusters? Done. Prime-time television? Been there. Your next big production? We're all ears.

Contact Thames Rockets at bookings@thamesrockets.com or call 020 7928 8933 to discuss your filming requirements.