Danny Hargreaves: British Special Effects Technician and Titan of the Industry

Living in a Cardiff lock-up surrounded by rats, mice, and prostitutes, 24-year-old special effects technician Danny Hargreaves was forced to beg, borrow, and steal equipment. With a newborn baby to support, he was determined to change his fate.

Today, Hargreaves and his company, Real SFX, are behind the explosive special effects in some of the biggest TV shows and blockbuster films in the industry. Notably, Hargreaves is the only person to have worked on all 188 modern Doctor Who episodes, including Ncuti Gatwa’s current season and the new spin-off, The War Between Land and Sea.

A Passion for Problem-Solving in Special Effects

"It’s the ultimate job for problem-solving," says Hargreaves, who’s known for mastering everything from massive fire sequences to intricate water and weather effects. "It’s all about adapting and reacting." His career began in the 1990s, lying about his age to gain work experience at a London-based SFX company. He laughs, recalling: "I said I was 16, but really, I was 14."

After working on major UK TV shows like Hornblower and London’s Burning, Hargreaves landed his dream job on Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). "I’m a massive fan, so working on the prequels and seeing stormtroopers running around was incredible," he says.

From Doctor Who to Hollywood Blockbusters

Hargreaves’ biggest milestone came when he became a key player in the Doctor Who franchise. His journey as an SFX technician on the show began in 2004, and by 2008, with Matt Smith’s arrival, he was handed a million-pound contract to start his own business, Real SFX. The company was born, and Hargreaves found himself on a cold, wet South Wales beach, excited to begin a new adventure with Smith.

“Doctor Who has been ever-present for 20 years of my life," Hargreaves reflects. "There’s been tears and stress, but it’s been a hell of a ride."

Over the years, Hargreaves worked on productions like Sherlock, Peaky Blinders, and more recently, The Expendables 4 (2023). His work has become legendary in the industry, but it’s not just the explosive effects he’s known for; it’s his ability to solve problems under pressure.

Explosions and Innovation: A Signature Style

One of Hargreaves’ most memorable moments came during the finale of Peaky Blinders, when he was responsible for blowing up the Shelby mansion. "During rehearsal, Cillian Murphy (Tommy Shelby) said, ‘Danny, less panto.’ Doing the explosion in-shot was less nerve-wracking than the acting!" Hargreaves laughs. "Unfortunately, the show’s creator, Stephen Knight, declined a Danny Bang spin-off."

Hargreaves' career has also led to a new chapter in action movies, such as his experience on The Expendables 4. "I went along to the first meeting in Bulgaria, and everyone got sacked after a fallout with Jason Statham except me, which was hilarious," Hargreaves recalls. "Working with my hero Sylvester Stallone was fantastic, though I can’t say the film was the greatest."

Real SFX: Leading the Charge in Special Effects

For Hargreaves, building a world-class special effects company in Wales has been a key goal. "Real SFX is the industry’s poster company here," he explains. "We’re expanding regionally to create more opportunities." While CGI is on the rise, Hargreaves believes there’s still a strong demand for practical effects. "Smoke and wind make sets feel alive," he insists.

Winning an Emmy for his work on Sherlock’s 2015 special was a career highlight. "I’d won seven BAFTAs, but the Emmy came when I was low on motivation and money. That award gave me the fire to move forward."

A special effects company from Cardiff has bagged an Emmy for its work on Sherlock - Wales Online

However, Hargreaves’ proudest achievement is mentoring new SFX talent. "Seeing beginners grow into SFX professionals within three years is amazing," he says.

Looking to the Future: What's Next for Danny Hargreaves?

Looking ahead, Hargreaves is working on Prisoner for Netflix and spending time in Jamaica this spring and summer with Gugu Mbatha-Raw for Sky’s supernatural thriller Inheritance. But despite the success, his most important moment remains hearing his son Harry say, “You inspired me.”

For Hargreaves, that’s what makes all the struggle worthwhile.