Apparently, though, the stories did spook some of the security team, who had to guard the set late at night.
While no-one will say how much money the church received for hosting the film-makers – the information is considered commercially sensitive – it was enough to fund some much-needed repairs.
And given that it is a Grade II-listed building, restoring the church’s boundary wall or renovating its church organ does not come cheap.
But the economic benefits of Hollywood rolling into town would have been felt far beyond this woodland parish.
The Essex Film Office believes that after catering, travel and accommodation are considered, Wake Up Dead Man has contributed more than £1.3m to the local economy.
And now the film has been released, it is thought Epping Forest will see an increase in “screen tourism”, particularly given the global appeal of the series.
Erica Gilson from the film office says: “It is really exciting what opportunities that could open up into showcasing Essex to domestic and international travel.”
