North Street in Carrickfergus has stepped back in time after being transformed into a film set for the upcoming comedy movie, Bender.

The town centre spot was packed with crew and vintage props on Friday, June 26 as filming got underway for the coming-of-age tale, which stars Chris O'Dowd and Bill Burr.

Set in 1970s Ireland, Bender is based on the real life experiences of Irish-Canadian screenwriter Adrian Cunningham, who penned the script with comedian Ciaran Bartlett.

Combining the irreverence and grit of Derry Girls and Superbad with the warmth of The Full Monty, the movie celebrates the rebellious spirit of youth through a soundtrack featuring the Buzzcocks, Blondie, and Siouxsie and the Banshees, according to co-producers Reflektor Media.

Images from North Street in Carrickfergus as filming took place for the comedy movie 'Bender'. Photo: Stewart Dickson

placeholder image — Images from North Street in Carrickfergus as filming took place for the comedy movie 'Bender'. Photo: Stewart Dickson

The company’s website notes: "[The film] follows a group of teenage outsiders navigating identity, rebellion and first love against the backdrop of Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Ireland.

“The story centres on Jules, an eyeliner-wearing new waver trapped between family turmoil and small-town life, who sees the Pope's visit as his chance to find love, freedom and himself.

“Bill Burr plays Mo Kelleher, a gruff American record shop owner and musician whose unlikely friendship with Jules, forged over vinyl records and shared disillusionment, becomes a catalyst for change.”

The production saw some of North Street’s buildings undergo a retro makeover with the addition of fictional shop fronts, including a record store.

Stewart Dickson and Noel Williams in front of the record store façade in North Street. Photo: Stewart Dickson

A number of vintage cars also lined the route and, in another nod to decades past, an advert for Green Shield stamps was visible in the window of a greengrocers.

It’s not the first time that the town has served as the backdrop for a big screen production.

In 2021, scenes for the fantasy movie Dungeons and Dragons – starring Hugh Grant, Chris Pine, and Michelle Rodriguez - were filmed at Carrickfergus Castle.

The area around the medieval landmark was also previously used to capture footage for the 2014 picture Robot Overlords, which featured Sir Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson.

Meanwhile, filming activity at Whitehead’s seafront at the end of June is not connected to Bender, according to Adrian Cunningham.