How an innovative programme for scripted film and TV companies across the North of England is helping build a more skilled and accessible joined-up screen sector.

As a new leadership programme for the screen sector, Into the Lead, comes to a close, Screen Alliance North is celebrating an exceptional group of SME leaders who are transforming the scripted screen sector in the North of England as they navigate industry changes, leverage new technologies and nurture positive workplace cultures.

Delivered by Under The Moon Ltd and Creaticity Ltd on behalf of the four Northern regional screen organisations that together make up Screen Alliance North, the programme set the stage for unprecedented collaboration, igniting fresh momentum and new possibilities among independent businesses across the North.

“Into the Lead has been a gamechanger for the scripted screen indies in the North, empowering leaders to dream bigger and act bolder and encouraging them to build a more sustainable future, one that embraces innovation and puts people, and the environment first. Collaboration is no longer just a buzzword – it’s the driving force behind our brightest creative breakthroughs,” says Penny Hall, partnerships lead at Screen Alliance North.

The 17 scripted Into the Lead participants selected for the programme are already leveraging new knowledge and connections they’ve gained – creating original IP, pioneering innovative formats, securing new funding and breaking down regional boundaries for the first time.

“It’s such a powerful statement about leadership, ambition and creative confidence outside London,” says one participant, with another adding “This programme has arrived at exactly the right time, offering me space to reflect, not just on projects but on how to lead people and ideas in a shifting industry.”

Most remarkable of all, this cohort has forged an enduring peer network – a powerhouse of advice, opportunity and unwavering support, continuing well beyond the formal programme.

As a third participant says, “I can already see how the peer network created through this training will be an important source of support, insight and collaboration going forward.”

In a sector undergoing rapid transformation, Into the Lead sends a rallying call: leadership development, strategic vision and regional collaboration aren’t just desirable – they’re the bedrock of a bold, accessible and sustainable screen industry.

Running between January and March 2026, Into The Lead consisted of an in-person networking event and six modules featuring presentations, industry speakers and collaborative challenges.  It was specifically designed to upskill business leaders in good working practice, sustainability and inclusivity and to help business leaders respond to shifting commissioning models, longer development cycles and growing pressure to diversify income – challenges that have become increasingly familiar across the UK screen industry. Specific sessions were delivered in partnership with partners BAFTA Albert and the BFI’s Workwise for Screen Programme.

“Strong companies need strong leaders. Programmes like this are the lifeblood of creative business – powering survival, adaptation and dynamic growth,” says Ruth Pitt, Programme Director.

The programme was funded by Screen Alliance North, a BFI Skills Cluster, supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery funding. https://www.screenalliancenorth.co.uk/into-the-lead/

Screen Alliance North, the skills cluster made up of Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire, is proud to launch the first cohort of their Sustainability Managers Training programme. This is the first-ever training course built specifically on the newly created National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Sustainability Managers.

8 TV and Film professionals from across the North of England will take part in a newly developed course, supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding. The course will be focused on practical, professional outcomes that will allow participants to lead transformation on set and is the first head of department level training for sustainable production roles.

Sally Mills, course lead and sustainability programme director:

This is the first course to align with the pioneering Sustainability National Occupational Standards, launched by ScreenSkills, the BFI and BAFTA albert, with the support of our TV and Film industry last year. It will ensure sustainability is a core, expertly-managed part of every production across the North.

We are combining intensive theory, led by experts, with a practical 8-10 week production placement. This course will equip professionals with the skills needed to protect and celebrate the environment, reduce carbon emissions and create a more climate conscious production sector, whilst always making great programmes.

The first cohort consists of professionals with a background in film or TV from Production Management and Location roles to Heads of Departments. Leading sustainability figures in the industry will be guest speakers including Logan Jackson at Netflix, Charlotte Ashby, Head of Production at Carnival Films, Tom Gray, Head of Nature Positive at the BBC, Michael Largey of BAFTA Albert and Phil Holdgate, Head of Production Sustainability at ITV Studios.

Penny Hall, Screen Alliance North Partnership Lead:

We are aiming for the North to be a beacon of sustainable production, where we lead, innovate, guide and share knowledge on sustainability practices. Participants on this tailored course will gain the skills to navigate the climate landscape, master carbon competence, build strategic sustainability plans, drive cultural change within productions, and develop advanced problem-solving expertise. We are excited to equip these professionals with the vital skills to help the progression of our industry and the preservation of our planet.

The 2026 cohort is:

• Emma Oxton – Manchester
• Tracey Schawsmidth – Yorkshire
• Diva Rodriguez – Yorkshire
• Theresa Pine – Liverpool
• Julie Roberts – Yorkshire
• Ollie Adebisi – Liverpool
• Julie Moran – North East
• Daniel Shepperson – North East

Learn more about Screen Alliance North sustainability work

Northumberland is set to take centre stage in a brand new BBC drama, The Northumbria Mysteries, with Newcastle‑based Lonesome Pine Productions creating and filming the eight‑part series in the region. Supported by North East Screen through the North East Production Fund, the show will bring a fresh detective story to life across some of the county’s most distinctive landscapes.

Starring North East actor Robson Green, the series follows Joe Ruby, a jack‑of‑all‑trades whose past catches up with him as he becomes entangled in a series of mysteries. Set entirely in the region, the drama promises to showcase Northumberland’s unique character – both in its landscapes and its communities – while highlighting the strength of storytelling rooted here.

The production marks another significant moment for the North East following the BBC’s renewed commitment to the region through their MOU, which extends its collaboration with local partners through to 2027. For companies like Lonesome Pine, now one of 8 North East businesses regularly commissioned for television — a number that has quadrupled in recent years — it reflects the growing scale and ambition of projects being developed locally.

Support from the North East Production Fund is enabling productions such as The Northumbria Mysteries to base more of their work in the region, drawing on local crew, facilities and expertise. With more high‑end scripted series choosing to film here, the Fund continues to help anchor projects that both celebrate and strengthen the North East’s creative identity.

Gayle Woodruffe – Operations Director, North East Screen:

Lonesome Pine’s Lesley Douglas has made a real commitment to the North East since returning to the region and has not only brought drama from 5 but now our first homegrown BBC drama in the shape of The Northumbrian Mysteries. It’s a real pleasure to support them not only with the North East Production Fund but also with our joint ambition around skills and to find the very best locations for what I’m sure will be a great success. Looking forward to working with them on many more north east ventures.

The Northumbria Mysteries adds a compelling new chapter to the region’s expanding screen portfolio – bringing new drama, new opportunities and a fresh spotlight on the North East’s world‑class talent and locations.

The BBC has today announced new commitments to the creative growth of the North East in an extension of its successful collaboration with the region as part of its Across the UK strategy.

The agreement with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, commissioned through the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), will continue to strengthen and broaden production activity and skills produced from the region, including with new daytime drama The Northumbria Mysteries, which will be filmed and set in Northumberland.

As part of its Green Paper response earlier this month, the BBC has confirmed the North East creative cluster as an ongoing priority region during the next Charter period, subject to future funding.

The BBC has ambitious new targets to have more senior leaders, commissioners and network spend outside of London to continue to grow creative clusters across the UK, including the North East, which is the UK’s fastest growing production sector.

The extended memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the region sets out further commitments up to the end of December 2027, to align with the BBC’s current Charter period.

It includes increasing Network TV commissioning spend in the North East to include an additional £15m of investment, taking the total investment to a minimum of £40m.

It also commits to bringing further major BBC events to the region, such as Radio 1’s Big Weekend taking place in Sunderland in May 2026, where over 100,000 music fans are expected to attend across the weekend.

Since the MOU was signed in 2021, the BBC has already met its target of a minimum of £25m over five years, and delivered commissions including the award-winning comedy Smoggie Queens, which returns for a second series this spring.

Other commissions include Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, Joanna Page’s Wild Life, The Big Idea Works and The Dumping Ground, which recently aired its 14th series.

BBC Head of North of England Heidi Dawson said:

“We’re incredibly proud to extend our commitment to the North East, one of the BBC’s priority creative clusters, with the North East Screen Industries Partnership.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen exceptional talent, creativity and ambition flourish across the North East, and this additional commitment will ensure even more homegrown storytelling from across the region.

“From new scripted series to returning favourites, the North East is a vital part of the BBC’s Across the UK strategy, and we’re excited to build on this momentum through to 2027.”

The BBC will continue to work closely with regional partners to grow the creative industries talent pipeline across the region, building on the Combined Authorities recent investment in production facilities in Sunderland and Hartlepool.

It will also continue to support the Digital Accelerator scheme, developing new digital-first content and creative talent across the North East, in partnership with the NESIP.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:

“I’ve always been clear I want our creative talents to have the success they deserve in the region, without needing to head off to the capital. That’s why I’m putting creative jobs at the heart of my plans for growth.

“We’re already seeing production ramp up in the North East, and last week we announced record funding to boost creative skills and build the region’s first film studio to sustain that growth.

“I want to see more North East stories being told by North East creatives and this new partnership is a step closer to making that happen. The BBC clearly recognises what we have to offer with new shows being filmed in Sunderland and Northumberland and I can’t wait to see what more is still to come.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

“This partnership with the BBC has played a hugely important role in supporting our ambition to establish our region as a growing centre for the creative and digital industries.

“This extension will develop even more opportunities to showcase our incredible locations and outstanding local talent, while building on our reputation as a leading destination for TV and film-making.

“On top of our investment in first-class facilities at Hartlepool’s Northern Studios, it will also further support the development of local skills, inspire greater ambition, and help local people see that they can build a successful career in TV and film right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

Like the BBC, the North East and Tees Valley Mayors continue to champion creative talent, with the creative sector identified as a priority growth opportunity within both respective Local Growth Plans and further recognised in the Government’s national Creative Industries Sector Plan.

This collective ambition and investment for the region’s screen industries is brought together through NESIP.

Alison Gwynn, North East Screen Chief Executive said:

“This renewed commitment recognises our region’s strength and positions us as a key player in the UK’s future screen landscape.

“This extension shows the BBC believes in the North East, as a welcoming home to major productions thanks to our stunning world-class locations, crew and facilities.

“The region has always been full of creativity, resilience and brilliant storytelling. Having the BBC behind us means more jobs, more training pathways, and more chances for people from every corner of our region to be part of a thriving screen industry.

North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority have to date, through NESIP, supported the screen sector with £12.9m funding and are planning another £5.8m until the end of the Charter period as part of this agreement.

This will promote the region, attracting production businesses, as well as investing in professional talent, skills, creative businesses and infrastructure development.

It will also continue to invest in a talent and skills pipeline with a region-wide strategy and programme of activity that links North East Screen with Higher Education, Further Education and other partners with production locating in the region.

View the full Memorandum of Understanding here

From brand-new crime drama The Northumbria Mysteries, to The One Show VT opportunities, as well as confirming the four independent production companies selected for the BBC’s North East Digital Accelerator, the BBC strengthens its commitment to production and skills development in the region.

The BBC has announced a new slate of commissions and development opportunities in the North East, reinforcing its commitment to the region as one of its key Creative Clusters. The projects span scripted drama, factual programming, and digital innovation, including the forthcoming series The Northumbria Mysteries, new films for The One Show and the four independent production companies selected for the BBC’s Digital Accelerator, which is designed to support local production companies, nurture emerging talent and drive sustainable, digital-first growth across the regional creative economy. These commissions are funded by the BBC’s expanded MOU with the North East region, as announced today.

Helen Munson, BBC Commissioner for Daytime and Early Peak, based in the North East:

What an exciting time for the North East! I am delighted to be working with such brilliant companies across the whole region – from fantastic new drama The Northumbria Mysteries with Lonesome Pine to the development opportunities across digital and The One Show, the BBC is committed to working with the world class talent this region has to offer. And there’s more to come, so watch this space!

The Northumbria Mysteries is a brand-new drama, marking a significant return of BBC drama production to the North East. Set against the sweeping Northumberland coastline and its surrounding market towns, the series centres on an unlikely crime-solving duo. The Northumbria Mysteries will be produced by Lonesome Pine Productions, who are based in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Robson Green will star as Joe Ruby: a jack-of-all-trades whose life has been shaped by mistakes, regrets and missed opportunities, alongside Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell (casting to be announced), a rarefied intellectual, a deep thinker with a brilliant mind and an ice-cool disposition.

In a classic odd-couple pairing, Joe and Rose combine their talents as they frustrate, confound and ultimately surprise one another while unravelling a series of compelling crime mysteries.

Lesley Douglas, Executive Producer and co-founder of Lonesome Pine Productions:

We could not be happier to have Robson Green lead the cast and bring Joe Ruby to life, within the magnificent backdrop of Northumberland. Working with the BBC to realise these characters has been a labour of love.

Currently in pre-production, filming will begin in Northumberland this spring. The Northumbria Mysteries (8×45’) is a Lonesome Pine production for BBC One and iPlayer. The series was commissioned by Helen Munson, BBC Commissioning Editor for Daytime and Early Peak. Aschlin Ditta, Gordon Anderson and Chris Gascoyne serve as Executive Producers for Lonesome Pine, and Helen Munson for the BBC. The series will be directed by Gordon Anderson and Duncan Foster and produced by Lesley Douglas.

The highly-anticipated new adaptation of the iconic The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ – which was announced in November last year – will be filmed at The Northern Studios, Hartlepool, as well as on location in Hartlepool and Sunderland. Based on Sue Townsend’s best-selling book of the same name, the ten-part series is adapted for the BBC by David Nicholls (One Day, Us), with further episodes written by Caitlin Moran and Caroline Moran (Raised By Wolves), Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor (Everyone Else Burns), and Jack Rooke (Big Boys).

The BBC can also today announce that two production companies based in the North East region will each make three films for The One Show. This offers a great opportunity for smaller companies to grow, develop their skills and showcase local talent.

First announced at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Festival, The Digital Accelerator is a bold new partnership between the BBC and North East Screen, designed to unlock the digital potential of North East production companies to create innovative, digital-first content for 16–24-year-old audiences on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Twitch. The pioneering initiative aims to fast-track the growth of digital-first content companies in the North East, combining direct investment with tailored mentoring and skills development to unlock long-term creative and commercial potential.

The BBC can today confirm that the four independent production companies selected to take part in the Digital Accelerator are:

• Adventure Alliance Films (County Durham)
• Film Nova (Gateshead)
• Northern Child (Newcastle Upon Tyne)
• Wander Films (Middlesbrough)

These companies will receive ongoing support from BBC and North East Screen teams, including mentorship, editorial and business guidance, to help them scale up and deliver high-impact, market-ready digital content.

Further content announcements and details will be made later this year as part of the BBC’s continued commitment to the region.

Newcastle Gateshead has been officially shortlisted as one of the three finalists to become the new home of the UK’s leading television industry event from 2027. Joining Edinburgh and Greater Manchester on the prestigious shortlist, the bid represents a powerful moment in the North East’s cultural and creative journey.

The announcement recognises the North East’s bold ambition, thriving TV and film production landscape, and its extraordinary momentum in championing talent, opportunity and growth across the screen industries.

This shortlisting is a landmark moment not just for Newcastle Gateshead, but the wider North East. Against strong competition from eight cities across the UK, our region has stood out for its vision, capability, and commitment to driving the industry forward. There has never been a better moment in time for the North East to host this.

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive, North East Screen, expressed the team’s excitement and pride:

We’re absolutely thrilled that the North East has been shortlisted — and the timing could not be better.

The North East has tackled geographic and socio-economic disadvantage for decades but that is changing in a big way. We are a region with both credibility and huge momentum, capable of delivering a festival of national and international significance whilst ensuring a lasting legacy for our communities, emerging talent and the wider UK cultural landscape.

We don’t want to just host the TV industry on the banks of the mighty Tyne; we want to work with the festival and our partners to invigorate it. With us, you’re not just working with a host city, you’re unlocking the power of an entire region united, energised, and ready to deliver.

Being shortlisted is a glowing endorsement of the North East’s creative vibrancy and the determination from the North East Screen Industries Partnership, supported by North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority, to create a thriving screen ecosystem that delivers content for global audiences.

Hosting the Festival would bring, major economic and cultural benefits, unprecedented opportunities for emerging talent, a global spotlight on our fast-growing screen sector and a unifying moment for the region’s creative communities to showcase the region and themselves to a global audience.

What’s Next?

The Festival team will now begin a detailed review process with each shortlisted city, ahead of a final decision later this year. As the process continues, North East Screen, and the whole region, will be proudly showcasing why the North East is the perfect home for this iconic event.

This is a moment of real celebration. A moment fuelled by ambition. And we’re just getting started.

Channel 4’s highly anticipated new drama A Woman of Substance began to air this month, and you’ll spot the North East proudly playing its part in the story.  

The eight part adaptation, based on Barbara Taylor Bradford’s globally bestselling novel, filmed at several locations across northern England, including Beamish Museum in County Durham, one of the region’s most iconic and beloved historic sites.  

The series follows the extraordinary Emma Harte played by Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds across two timelines, as she rises from a Yorkshire maid in 1911 to a global business powerhouse.  

Filming took place across Yorkshire and Liverpool, but crucially also at Beamish, where the open-air museum’s authentically recreated period streets and interiors provided the perfect backdrop for the early 20th century world the series brings to life.  

Beamish is no stranger to film and TV, having featured in Downton Abbey, All Creatures Great and Small, and The War Below. Welcoming a high profile Channel 4 drama of this scale at the same time as other productions highlights the region’s versatility, talent, and capacity to host several major HETV productions at once. 

The North East Screen Film Office plays a vital role in securing and supporting productions filming across the region. From sourcing locations and permissions to connecting with local crew, facilities and suppliers, the team make filming in the North East an attractive and efficient offer. 

For A Woman of Substance, the Film Office’s support contributed to a smooth and successful shoot at Beamish, ensuring the production had everything it needed. Our team works closely with regional partners, local authorities, and location owners to make filming in the North East not only seamless, but hugely rewarding. 

This expertise and hands-on approach strengthens the region’s reputation as a world-class filming destination and allows heritage settings like Beamish to shine just as brightly as the performances and storytelling they help bring to life. 

The North East offers something distinct: a combination of stunning coastlines, dramatic countryside, vibrant cities, characterful rural communities, and talented crew, all supported by a production-friendly environment. With the Film Office championing the region and helping productions every step of the way, more productions are discovering what we’ve long known: the North East is the perfect place to tell your story. 

If you’d like support bringing your production to the North East, our Film Office team is here to help. Contact filmoffice@northeastscreen.org 

The BBC has revealed first look images from the award-winning Smoggie Queens which will bring even more chaos, heart and mischief than ever before, when it returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC Three for a second series in Spring.

Written by RTS winner and BAFTA nominated Middlesbrough native Phil Dunning, Smoggie Queens tells the story of volatile Dickie (Dunning – Boat Story, Feel Good) along with drag queen Mam (Mark Benton – Patience, Shakespeare & Hathaway), self-styled hun Lucinda (Alexandra Mardell – Daddy Issues, Coronation Street), awkward Sal (Patsy Lowe – Vera) and newly out Stewart (Elijah Young).

Joining the Smoggie family for this second series, which is set and filmed in Middlesbrough, is BAFTA winning Monica Dolan along with Amalia Vitale and Freya Parker as well as Middlesbrough legends Jeff Stelling and Chris Kamara.

Returning cast are Neil Grainger, Charlotte Riley, Peter McPherson, Lauryn Redding, Michael Mather, Bill Fellows, Michael Hodgson, Steph McGovern and Michelle Visage.

Picking up where we left off in Middlesbrough, the gang are navigating love, friendship and plenty of drama. Dickie is single and on the hunt for romance while Mam is facing ghosts from her past who are back in the Boro. Sal finds herself torn between Danni and Mel and our Lucinda hits a road bump with Neil while Stewart is embracing his new fresh chapter in life.

Along the way there are date nights, coming-out parties, a male beauty pageant and even a football match. Yes, really. Because if there’s one thing you can expect from Smoggie Queens, it’s that much like drag itself, every episode is serving something fresh!

Smoggie Queens (6 x 30) is a Hat Trick Production (How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, Have I Got News For You and Episodes) for BBC Three and iPlayer, and funding support from The North East Production Fund delivered by North East Screen with worldwide distribution by Hat Trick International and is available in the United Kingdom, Australia, Iceland and Spain (to date).

The series was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy. The producer is Chris Jones (Smoggie Queens S1, Kate & Koji, Whistle Through The Shamrocks). The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Gregor Sharp. Series 2 is directed by Tom Marshall (Ted Lasso, Famalam).