When Chris Pegg picked up the phone quite late into the day, he thought someone was playing tricks when they said they were interested in using City Cruises York as a location for a crime thriller to be released on Netflix.
After a year of anticipation, the City Cruises York team finally celebrated the release of Bodies on Netflix today (Thursday 19 October).
The team dedicated themselves to ensuring the filming process was a resounding success. This involved collaborating with location scouts, early mornings and long days filled with action-packed stunt scenes on board, all while continuing their regular scheduled sailings.
Bodies is a British crime series created by Paul Tomalin and inspired by the DC Vertigo comic and graphic novel written by Si Spencer.
Described as ‘thrilling’ by the Guardian the show presents an enthralling narrative that spans different time periods, as it follows the investigations of four unique detectives in pursuit of solving a complex murder mystery.
Bolstered by an exceptional ensemble cast headlined by Stephen Graham, it is set to be a huge autumn hit.
York’s popular boat company takes centre stage in episode 6 of Bodies titled ‘The World Is Yours’.
This is an action filled instalment. It features Supt Boothroyd (actor Kae Alexander), DS Shahara Hasan (Amaka Okafor), DCI Jack Barber (Michael Jibson) and Elias Mannix (Gabriel Howell), in a plot which includes a bomb detonator and shootout.
From 11 minutes 30 to 21 minutes 45, City Cruises York Boatyard and boat makes its debut.
Filming took place last October on both the River Prince, primarily used for sightseeing and private charters, and the City Cruises Boatyard, a York institution for over 30 years.
The boatyard has witnessed the evolution of the company from White Rose Line and YorkBoat to the current iteration of City Cruises York under the City Experiences brand.
It also serves as the headquarters for over 40 dedicated staff and is home to seven passenger boats, along with a fleet of 14 self-drive boats.
Chris Pegg, the commercial and marketing manager at City Cruises, shared his excitement about the collaboration.
“Working with Netflix on their latest production, Bodies, was an absolute thrill for City Cruises,” he said.
“This opportunity not only marks a significant moment for our team but also provides a captivating platform to showcase the beauty of our cruises to a global audience.
“This collaboration is undoubtedly one of the most exciting things to happen for us in a long time. We have eagerly awaited the release and are thrilled with our cameo appearance in this thrilling project!”
City Cruises hopes that this collaboration will shine a well-deserved spotlight on the enchanting city of York, while encouraging more filmmakers to explore the limitless possibilities that this historic location offers.