Pitzhanger Manor Turned into 'Genius HQ'
Venue stars in Channel 4 show along with Alan Carr and Susie Dent
Alan Carr and Susie Dent on the lawn in front of Pitzhanger Manor. Picture: Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery
February 11, 2026
Viewers tuning into Channel 4’s new prime‑time series Secret Genius may find the show’s headquarters looking strangely familiar. That’s because the production’s “Genius HQ” is none other than Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery and the surrounding Walpole Park — one of Ealing’s most recognisable historic landmarks.
The series, hosted by Alan Carr and lexicographer Susie Dent, celebrates ordinary people with extraordinary minds, putting contestants through a series of Mensa‑inspired challenges designed to reveal hidden intelligence. But while the puzzles take centre stage, Pitzhanger’s architecture quietly steals the scene. The manor’s neoclassical interiors, sweeping staircases and landscaped gardens appear throughout the programme, providing a backdrop that needs no caption: the building does the talking.
The Grade I listed status and its recent meticulous restoration have made it a favourite for film and television productions, but Secret Genius marks one of its most prominent screen roles to date.
A spokesperson for the venue said, “It’s a thrill to see Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery appear on screen. We are proud that our manor and gardens could serve as ‘Genius HQ’ and showcase this beautiful cultural setting to a national audience.”
Filming took place across the manor’s historic rooms and within Walpole Park, which frames the house with its ornamental bridges, water features and long vistas. Staff worked closely with the production team to ensure the building and grounds were protected at every stage — from safeguarding original plasterwork to managing equipment access through the park. Although the crew were on site for an extended period, the manor remained open to visitors for much of the time, with filming scheduled around public hours to minimise disruption.
The show aims to reveal the hidden talents of the contestants.
Picture: Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery
The production also coincided with an unexpected twist in Alan Carr’s own year. Midway through filming Secret Genius, Carr temporarily left the set to take part in — and ultimately win — Celebrity Traitors. When he returned, he later admitted that a cameraman on Secret Genius tricked him into accidentally revealing the secret of his victory.
Secret Genius is broadcast on Channel 4 every Sunday and Monday at 9pm.
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery is at Ealing Green, (W5 5EQ).
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