Film lorries, cranes, and trailers filled the area surrounding Calshot Activity Centre, with filming expected to continue from 3pm to 11pm today.
The Daily Echo understands that the production is for the Netflix sci-fi series 118117, which stars Greta Lee, Wagner Moura, and Emma Ho.
Filming appeared to be centring around a boat moored off the seafront.
One of the filming vessels was a sailing yacht made to look very well worn, covered in algae with a frayed flag. One resident, 64, described it as “manky” adding: “I come down every day on my bike, I saw thing turning up. I thought there was going to be a triathlon. I heard they are going to be shooting a lone fisherman down by the pier at around 9.30pm.”
Publicity material for the show describes it as a story about a family trapped inside their home by a mysterious force, forced to survive as supplies run out.
Pauline Irvine, who was walking nearby with her husband, said: “Some of the beach was closed off along with the car parks due to filming taking place on the beach.
“Lorries were going down the road every few minutes so it seems to be quite a major film crew.
“We were told from somebody who works in the area that it could be Netflix.
“There’s lot of cranes and winnebagos, it looks like they could be here for a night shoot and even a few days.
“We didn’t see any stars but we’re excited to find out what it is that’s being filmed on the beach.
“We think the crews just turned up and today is the first day anyone has seen them.
“There were lots of pink signs saying ‘CP’, it’s unclear what that stands for but it’s certainly not something you see every day.”
The crew has built a pontoon next to the RNLI station, with a boat moored and fitted with cameras.
An American flag is flying at the end of the pier, which now features a sign reading ‘public fishing pier 21.’
Paul Courcha, who was watching the activity, said: “There are hundreds of people walking around and they all seem to know what they are doing.
“It is quite exciting isn’t it.”
The bustling scene has drawn the interest of residents and visitors alike, eager to see what’s being filmed.
One of the only vehicles allowed into the area taken over by the film crew was an ice cream van, with most vehicles being stopped at the Calshot Beach Car Park.
Despite the commotion a number of people are still fishing on the beach next to the production, enjoying the heatwave.
