Author: Curtis Wake

5 Announce North East-Based Lonesome Pine’s New Psychological Drama

Posted on 30 September 202530 September 2025 by Curtis Wake

5 Announce Eleanor Tomlinson and Matthew Lewis Set to Star in Lonesome Pine’s Psychological Drama The Family Secret

5 has today announced the exciting cast line-up for new drama The Family Secret (w/t), a 4×60 mystery series from Lonesome Pine, in association with Sphere Abacus and North East Screen.

A commission previously announced in 5’s bumper slate earlier this year, The Family Secret (w/t) is a gripping, psychological drama that asks: what if your past isn’t what you think it is? Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day, Poldark) stars as Amanda Blakefield, whose life is a happy one with her husband, Jimmy played by Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter, All Creatures Great and Small), and their son Luke, played by newcomer James Younger. Amanda has her world shattered after she is left an enormous inheritance by a man she has neither met nor heard of before. Her life starts to disintegrate as she becomes embroiled in the world of The Worrall Family. The patriarch Martin Worrall, played by Denis Lawson (Bleak House, New Tricks), is head of a family which is bound in past secrets. As Amanda’s story leads her further and further into the Northumbrian countryside, she begins to unravel the past. And all of their lives are turned upside down.

Further cast include Rebecca Front (The Thick of It, Lewis) as Martin’s wife Fiona, with Callum Woodhouse (All Creatures Great and Small, The Durrells) as his son Anthony. Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks, Wild At Heart) joins as farm worker Boots Maddison, Paula Wilcox (Trying, Upstart Crow) as Amanda’s mother Linda, Danielle Walters (Chewing Gum, Kill Your Friends) as Amanda’s best friend Sandy, and Nina Wadia (Eastenders, Goodness Gracious Me) as solicitor Laura.

The series was commissioned by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 and is produced by Lonesome Pine (The Inheritance, The Feud), with funding by North East Screen and in association with Sphere Abacus who will distribute the series internationally. Lesley Douglas will Produce for Lonesome Pine, alongside Ellie Hill. Executive Producers for Sphere Abacus are Jonathan Ford and Will Stapley. Gayle Woodruffe manages the Production Fund on behalf of North East Screen. Writer Aschlin Ditta (The Feud, The Inheritance, Doc Martin) joins with Andy de Emmony (Vigil, The Feud, The Nest) on board as Director.

On bringing this story to the 5 audience, Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 says: “The Family Secret explores the fragility of family and the ripple effects of long-buried truths, all anchored by a brilliant cast led by Eleanor Tomlinson. This is a drama that promises to keep audiences hooked from the very first minute and we’re delighted to work with Lonesome Pine again after the success of The Inheritance and The Feud.”

The Family Secret (w/t) is filming now across the North East of England and is set to air on 5 in 2026.

Success for I Fought the Law

Posted on 19 September 202510 November 2025 by Curtis Wake

Success for I Fought the Law

North East Production Funded production I Fought the Law has received rave reviews with audiences and critics following its debut on ITV.

The series averaged 1.90 million overnight across its four parts, was streamed over 10 million times in its first week and ranks as ITVX’s 4^th most watched dramas.

The drama which was filmed entirely in the region was supported by the North East Production Fund managed by North East Screen on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP).

Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director at North East Screen who manages the £5.3 Production fund (on behalf of NESIP) said;
“North East Screen are proud to have supported I Fought the Law. This is the kind of drama that resonates on a number of levels and as a North East story we were so pleased that we were able to attract the production company to the region to film in the region and 76% of crew working on the series were from the region.”

I Fought the Law stars Sheridan Smith and is based on Ann Ming’s book For the Love of Julie. The heart-breaking, real-life story of a mother’s love, courage and determination to change the Double Jeopardy Law, and see her daughter’s murderer brought to justice, is dramatized by ITV.

Written by screenwriter Jame Crichton the series recounts how tenacious mother of three, Ann Ming, battled for 15 years so that her daughter’s murderer could finally face justice, having been controversially acquitted following two mistrials.

Ann Ming, acted as a consultant throughout the production process and attended the regional screening hosted by North East Screen which marked the release of the 4 part drama, celebrating the achievements of the production, cast and crew.

Charlotte Webber, Executive Producer of I Fought the Law said of shooting in the North East;
“When you get support from a region it’s about the resources, the expertise, the knowledge. It’s a very attractive proposition as a producer to come to a region like the North East to collaborate and work.”

North East Screen are on the look out for the next High End Television drama, click here to find out full details of the North East Production Fund and please get in touch if you’d like to find out more.

You can see all 4 parts of I Fought the Law now on ITVX I Fought the Law – Watch Episode – ITVX

28 Years Later – a love letter to the North East

Posted on 19 September 202510 November 2025 by Curtis Wake

How the North East helped bring 28 Years Later to life

28 Years Later, the highly anticipated follow-up to the iconic franchise, delivers a thrilling story, and behind the scenes showcases the North East as a production-ready region with stunning locations, skilled crew, and strong local support. The North East Screen Film Office played an important role, providing hands-on guidance from early development through to wrap.

From the earliest planning stages, North East Screen worked closely with DNA Films to support location scouting and development. After first connecting at the industry event FOCUS in 2023, the team fast-tracked the production by providing location ideas, key contacts, and practical support. Within just eight weeks, meetings and recces were underway. A two-day Familiarisation Trip gave the location managers a full picture of what the region could offer and introduced them to the people who would help bring the summer shoot to life. Bespoke location and facilities brochures highlighted hidden gems, while strong relationships across the Filming Friendly Network helped unlock access to unique sites and local partners.

Production highlights

43 of 51 locations (84%) sourced locally, including private estates with breathtaking landscapes and on-site accommodation for cast and crew
76 local crew members, including trainees supported through North East Screen’s Access initiative, which identified skills gaps and onboarded local talent
173 supporting artists, mostly from the North East
Nearby set build space secured with Sunderland City Council, allowing the recreation of the iconic Holy Island causeway. An unused warehouse was transformed into a fully functioning water studio, and DNA Films extended the lease to build additional sets
Facilities and services utilised: accommodation, storage, set build, casting, and even archery training

To celebrate the film’s release, a Gala Screening at Tyneside Cinema brought together director Danny Boyle, lead cast Alfie Williams, and chief ‘Alpha’ Chi Lewis-Parry. The event attracted 30 press accreditations and coverage from 15 media titles, generating high local engagement and positioning the North East as a destination for productions that have global appeal.

Bringing the screen to the region

In collaboration with Visit Britain and Destination North East, the “Visit If You Dare” campaign invited fans to explore the iconic locations of 28 Years Later. The film’s biohazard symbol and campaign hashtag were projected onto key landmarks across the region. By linking big-screen storytelling with destination marketing, the initiative encouraged audiences to discover the North East’s beautiful landscapes, which feature as eerie locations in the film.

With 28 Years Later available worldwide, audiences can experience a gripping story set against the North East, while seeing firsthand the work of local crews, the facilities and locations that supported the production, and the collaborative infrastructure that makes the region a premier destination for film and television.

Planning approval secured for major expansion of Hartlepool’s film and TV production industry

Posted on 17 September 202517 September 2025 by Curtis Wake

Planning approval secured for major expansion of Hartlepool’s film and TV production industry

A £33.5 million major expansion of film and television production facilities in Hartlepool is officially underway, following planning approval being granted for a transformative new development.

The Northern Studios will undergo an expansion, including the construction of larger studios and the installation of industry-leading equipment and facilities. In addition, a Screen Industries Production Village will be developed in the surrounding area, repurposing nine disused buildings into cutting-edge pre and post-production spaces, workshops, and collaborative hubs for creative professionals.

Among the buildings to be revitalised is the Grade-II listed Shades Hotel, which will be brought back into use alongside several other heritage properties.

Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “This is a game-changing moment for Hartlepool—not just for our creative industries, but for our town as a whole. The £33.5 million investment into expanding our film and television production facilities will create over 130 new jobs, attract further private sector investment, and deliver a lasting boost to our local economy.

“We’re transforming nine disused buildings into dynamic spaces for production, innovation, and collaboration, breathing new life into areas that have long needed revitalisation. This development will help nurture local talent, support small businesses, and position Hartlepool as a serious player in the UK’s creative sector.

I’m incredibly proud of the partnership working that has brought us to this point. Together, we’re creating jobs, driving investment, and laying the foundations for a more prosperous and vibrant future for Hartlepool.”

The project is being led by Hartlepool Borough Council, in partnership with The Northern School of Art, Tees Valley Combined Authority and North East Screen, the region’s screen industries development agency. Funding for the project has been secured from the UK Government and Tees Valley Investment Zone.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor said: “This is fantastic news for Hartlepool and the whole of Teesside. The expansion of The Northern Studios and the creation of a brand-new TV and film production village will put our region firmly on the map as a home for world-class screen industries.

“Not only will this huge investment bring derelict buildings back to life, it will also create high-quality jobs and opportunities for local people in an exciting and growing sector.

“We have already seen through shows like I Fought The Law how we are telling powerful and engaging stories about Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington – and these new facilities will build on that to deliver something truly transformational for the town and wider region.”

The Northern Studios, which opened in 2022, have already hosted high-profile productions including ITV’s ratings hit, I Fought the Law, ITV comedy Transaction and the feature film Jackdaw. The expansion will build on this success, attracting both national and international productions to the town.

Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art, said: “This is excellent news. The Studios upgrade coupled with the creation of the Production Village, supported by the first-rate work of North East Screen, will mean that many more productions will be attracted to our region.

“It is gratifying to see this development of a project initiated by the School in 2016 and consistently backed by Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority and now the Hartlepool Development Corporation. Without their support we wouldn’t see this great opportunity for change in our town and for the region.”

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen, said: “Securing planning approval for the Hartlepool Production Village and the expansion of Northern Studios marks a pivotal moment for the North East’s screen sector.

“This development will allow us to continue to develop a thriving ecosystem for local talent and businesses who are working across linear TV and digital formats, and see more TV and film production across Hartlepool and the wider Tees Valley.

“We have stunning and diverse locations, experienced talented crew based in the region, and a network of local authorities who will ensure productions happen seamlessly.”

The development is being delivered in collaboration with industry specialists Leonard Design, Stace and TIME + SPACE.

Piers Read, CEO of TIME + SPACE, said: “TIME + SPACE is delighted to have advised on this hugely significant regeneration in Hartlepool. As specialists in developing creatively led real estate, we are excited to be going forward by revitalising these much loved but overlooked urban spaces by turning them into vibrant communities driven by film, entertainment, media and hospitality.”

John Holden, Director Major Projects at Leonard Design, said: “Leonard Design is proud to be designing and delivering the transformational Hartlepool Screen Industries Production Village and Northern Studios expansion, working alongside TIME + SPACE and in collaboration with Hartlepool Borough Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority. This visionary project establishes Hartlepool as the North East’s premier creative district, creating significant employment while transforming disused town centre buildings into vibrant creative workspaces and securing the town’s place at the heart of the UK’s rapidly expanding screen industries sector.”

With planning approvals now in place and funding secured, construction is expected to begin within the coming months.

Screen industry skills boost for the North

Posted on 15 September 202517 September 2025 by Curtis Wake

Screen industry skills boost for the North

Over 6,000 people across the North of England have benefitted from Screen Alliance North activity during their second year of funding.

In their latest figures just released, the northern skills cluster, supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, the partnership has continued to make an impact attracting almost 10,000 people to their events throughout the year and have supported trainees from a range of marginalised backgrounds (48% of trainees have a disability, 28% of trainees identify as LGBTQ+ and 24% of trainees are from low socio-economic backgrounds).

Screen Alliance North, a partnership formed by Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire in April 2023, has delivered through each agency nearly 400 activities this year, from bootcamps to bespoke training sessions, shadowing placements to on the job training.

Formed to address the skills gap in the industry and to level out opportunities in the northern region, the partnership is strongly focused on equal access within the industry and increasing accessibility to the industry.

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said on behalf of the Executive Team:
“We’re committed to ensuring that opportunity is not determined by postcode or class, and that the north is not just a place where productions are made, but where careers are built and sustained. This year we’ve built strong new connections and developed existing relationships, working with stakeholders and collaborating with employers, to create 100’s of meaningful opportunities for people across the North and are proud of what we have achieved.”

Penny Hall, Skills Cluster Lead added: “This review outlines the impact of our second year. We have delivered targeted training in high-demand areas, shaped by direct engagement with productions and crew. We’ve piloted new approaches to inclusive leadership and worked with a range of partners on access, sustainability and good working practice, because we believe real change must start at the top and be embedded into everyday working practices.”

Screen Alliance North are already delivering year three of their planned activity which focuses on five core objectives and are in the planning stages for future funding possibilities. The four northern agencies now work closely together for skills work, industry mapping and data collection, with the film offices closely linked to support major productions.

Alison continued: “As the agencies have worked more strongly together, the cluster has evolved and we feel the strength of our partnership is benefitting productions and crew as well as making the industry more accessible for new entrants from all backgrounds. We know what’s happening in our individual regions so together we have a very strong position and can support each other. We want to make a big difference to the industry and collectively we can achieve that in a sustainable way that grows production in the North.”

For details of Screen Alliance North’s impact in Year 2 read the full report here