But St Nicholas in Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth, found itself at the centre of a feature-film thriller when a production crew moved in to shoot a funeral scene.

Rector Steve Deall, 57, was even promoted from parish priest to on-screen vicar after the filmmakers needed someone who could convincingly lead the service.

"The last time I acted I was eight years old, in a school play," he said. "But it was great fun, and fascinating to see how a film is actually made."

Rector Steve Deall at St Andrew's Church in Bradwell where a production crew filmed a scene for a new action movie. (Image: Supplied)

The film is called Until We Bleed and is being directed by Tom Bennett, 29, who lives in Hopton.

It follows a team of private military contractors hired by a wealthy businessman who claims his daughter has been kidnapped.

As they dig deeper, they uncover all is not as it seems and they become embroiled in a government conspiracy.

On the scene for the movie 'Until We Bleed' which is being filmed in Norfolk and Waveney. (Image: LizzKingshottPhotography)

One of the actors, who happens to be a member of St Nicolas's congregation, helped connect the production with the church when they began searching for a filming location.

Several parishioners were recruited as extras.

Mr Bennett, who has "always been interested in film in general", created the story with his friend Luke Burge.

Action movie 'Until We Bleed' being filmed at St Andrew's Church in Bradwell. (Image: LIZZ KINGSHOTT)

They started shooting in February 2024 at locations along the coast between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

Both men are funding the production and also take starring roles in the movie.

They are hoping to premiere the film locally in the summer before submitting it to festivals and releasing it on YouTube.

The funeral scene for 'Until We Bleed' was filmed at St Andrew's Church in Bradwell. (Image: LIZZ KINGSHOTT)

The church later shared the experience on Facebook under the cheeky headline, "Hollywood comes to Bradwell!."

“Not your average day at church! Today we welcomed a production company who spent the day filming for a feature film - and they couldn’t have been more professional or friendly.”

The post also thanked the Diocese of Norwich communications team for helping everything run smoothly.

© Eastern Daily Press