Blackburn is the unlikely setting for a film based on murders by one of the most notorious serial killers of modern times.

Asif Pervez, from Blackburn, was tasked with making a film based on events surrounding the killings by Joseph James DeAngelo Jr - an American serial killer, rapist, burglar, peeping tom, former police officer, and former mechanic who evaded justice for over 40 years.

He committed at least 13 murders, 51 rapes, and 120 burglaries across California between 1974 and 1986. He was eventually imprisoned in 2018. DeAngelo made a confession after his arrest saying an inner personality named ‘Jerry’, had forced him to commit the wave of crimes that ended abruptly in 1986.

He was known as the ‘Night Stalker’ and later the ‘Original Night Stalker’ in order to differentiate him from the infamous Richard Ramirez.

Filmmaker Asif has been scouting a number of locations in Lancashire for the feature film, which is based on a book ‘Mommy, I Don't Want To’ by Chris Friedman, released in 2015.

The book explores the killings, which at the time were unsolved, which gripped the San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento and Santa Barbara County in the seventies.

With much of the filming done late at night, the locations did not matter so much to Asif and his team.

He said: “We have used 27 locations across the North West and Blackburn is one of them. There are 32 characters with actors from across the country who have taken up the roles.

“We had a short window and a strict filming schedule.

“We have used locations such as Blackburn Central Library as well as Corporation Park and Church Street.

“Much of the filming has been done after dark as that is when the film is set and we were also looking for places and backgrounds that could pass as the 70s and 80s. 

"Audiences will have to see how we manage to make the town look like California in the 70s and 80s.

“As Blackburn is my hometown town I am really proud of the setting.”

Lancashire Telegraph: The crew at Eanam Business Development Centre in Blackburn and actor Mark Charlesworth who plays Detective Remming in the movie

Lancashire Telegraph:

Asif said he has been supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

“The council have been really good and offered their support wherever they can.

Recently, we were filming in the town centre and the police station was supportive too.

“We are hoping do a premiere later in the year and it will be great to have this in Blackburn too.”

As well as Blackburn the film has been shot in Bolton and Manchester.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Asif Pervez from Blackburn was tasked with making the film

Norwegian actor Petter Berg plays the lead role.

The home of Jane Law was used as part of the film. Jane has been accommodating Petter, who has been staying with her as she is a local Airbnb host.

The film crew even shot a scene in the back garden of her home.

Jane said: “It was only after Petter arrived that I was told he was an actor and they were filming a movie in and around Blackburn.

“He did joke that the movie was about a serial killer and not to get worried if I heard him rehearsing his lines!

“It was quite surreal to be honest.

“I guess I shall be dining out on the story of 'my serial killer guest' for years.”