Some shows tease you slowly. Tales of the Unexpected has been doing exactly that — dropping cast reveals and mystery set photos for weeks, building genuine anticipation for one of Netflix’s darkest literary adaptations yet. Now, with production rolling through Bolton, the picture is finally coming into focus.
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Tales of the Unexpected: Roald Dahl Production Snapshot
| Detail | Update |
|---|---|
| Latest filming location | Bolton, UK |
| Cast spotted | Nicola Coughlan, Toby Jones, Josh Finan |
| Earlier filming stops | Scarborough, Whitby, Saltburn |
| Writer | Danny Brocklehurst (Fool Me Once, Brassic) |
| Director | Runyararo Mapfumo (Sex Education) |
| Source material | Roald Dahl’s short story collection |
From a Police Station to the Streets of Bolton
The production’s journey began with Coughlan filming outside a police station near Manchester, in a scene involving a police dog and a very pregnant character carrying a floral duffel bag. That early glimpse later turned out to be Coughlan playing Mary Maloney, the lead in an adaptation of one of Dahl’s most iconic dark tales, Lamb to the Slaughter.
Since then, the crew hasn’t stopped moving — hopping between UK seaside towns before settling into Bolton for the latest round of filming.
Toby Jones and Josh Finan Join the Frame
This latest location shoot gave fans their first real look at Toby Jones and Josh Finan in character. Jones, dressed in a clerical collar and tweed coat, is widely believed to be playing Mr. Boggis, a character pulled straight from Dahl’s story Parson’s Pleasure. Finan, meanwhile, was caught mid-scene in a tense street confrontation, complete with a dramatically kicked wheelie bin.
Why This Adaptation Feels Different?
Unlike the original 1970s ITV anthology series it’s loosely inspired by, this new version is being built as something more interconnected — weaving multiple Dahl stories together rather than presenting them as standalone episodes. Roald Dahl’s body of short fiction has long been considered some of the most darkly inventive work in British literature, making this adaptation one of the more ambitious literary translations Netflix has attempted in recent years.
With a stacked cast and a script from a proven dark-comedy writer, expectations are climbing fast — even without an official synopsis yet.
For more Netflix production updates and streaming news, keep following TechnoSports.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Nicola Coughlan playing in Tales of the Unexpected?
She’s reportedly playing Mary Maloney from Dahl’s story Lamb to the Slaughter.
Q2. Where has the series been filmed so far?
Locations include Manchester, Scarborough, Whitby, Saltburn, and now Bolton.
