Brad Pitt's 'The Riders' and Netflix's 'Wednesday' Confirm Ireland's Status as a Premier Global Filming Destination
Ireland's film and television production sector is experiencing one of its most active periods in recent memory, with Brad Pitt's major new feature film 'The Riders' and the third season of Netflix's globally popular series 'Wednesday' both currently filming across locations in Dublin, Wicklow, Cork, and Kerry — a cluster of high-profile productions that is generating significant economic activity and reinforcing Ireland's reputation as one of the world's most attractive filming destinations.
Background
Ireland's emergence as a major international hub for film and television production has been one of the more remarkable economic and cultural developments of the past two decades. The country's combination of attractive tax incentives, skilled crews, diverse locations, and English-language environment has made it an increasingly popular choice for major international productions, and the sector has grown significantly in scale and sophistication as a result.
The Section 481 tax relief, which provides a 32% tax credit on qualifying Irish production expenditure, has been a key driver of this growth. The relief has attracted productions from across the English-speaking world and beyond, and has helped to build a critical mass of experienced crew members, post-production facilities, and supporting infrastructure that makes Ireland an increasingly attractive proposition for major studios and streaming platforms.
The sector has also benefited from Ireland's growing reputation as a location for high-end television drama. Productions including Normal People, Skins, and Peaky Blinders have used Irish locations and crews, and the success of these productions has raised the profile of Irish filmmaking internationally and demonstrated the quality of the talent available in the country.
Key Developments
The most high-profile production currently filming in Ireland is 'The Riders', a major feature film directed by Edward Berger — the German director who won widespread acclaim for his adaptation of 'All Quiet on the Western Front' — and starring Brad Pitt. The production, which began filming in February 2026, is using locations across Dublin, Wicklow, Cork, and Kerry, and is expected to be one of the most significant Irish-shot films of the decade.
Alongside 'The Riders', production is also underway for the third season of 'Wednesday', the hugely popular Netflix series that is a spin-off from 'The Addams Family'. The series, which began filming in Ireland in March 2026, has brought a large cast and crew to the country and is using a range of locations across the island. The production's presence has generated significant public interest, with filming locations attracting attention from fans of the series.
Other significant projects currently in production include 'Silverback', starring Jason Isaacs and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, which is filming in Dublin and Meath, and an eight-part television adaptation of Marian Keyes' novel 'Grown Ups', starring Adrian Dunbar and Aisling Bea, which is filming in Dublin. The cluster of major productions represents an extraordinary concentration of international filmmaking activity in a relatively small country.
Why It Matters
The current production boom matters for Ireland for several reasons. First, it generates significant direct economic activity — the wages paid to Irish crew members, the fees paid to Irish locations, the spending by cast and crew in local hotels, restaurants, and shops. A major feature film production can spend tens of millions of euros in Ireland over the course of its shoot, and the cumulative effect of multiple simultaneous productions is substantial.
Second, the productions create employment and career development opportunities for Irish crew members, actors, and technicians. The film and television industry is a skilled sector that offers well-paid, creative employment, and the growth of the sector has created a virtuous cycle in which the availability of experienced Irish crew attracts more productions, which creates more employment, which develops more experienced crew.
Third, the productions raise Ireland's international profile as a creative and cultural destination. When a film starring Brad Pitt is shot in Kerry, or a globally popular Netflix series is filmed in Dublin, it generates coverage and attention that reaches audiences around the world and reinforces Ireland's image as a place of beauty, creativity, and cultural richness.
Local Impact
In the locations where filming is taking place, the economic impact is direct and immediate. Hotels and guesthouses in Kerry and Wicklow have reported strong bookings from production crews, and local businesses have benefited from the spending of cast and crew members during their time in the area. The use of Irish locations — from the streets of Dublin to the landscapes of Kerry — also provides a form of free advertising for Irish tourism that reaches global audiences when the productions are released.
For Irish actors and crew members, the current production boom represents an extraordinary period of opportunity. The demand for experienced Irish talent — both in front of and behind the camera — has never been higher, and the presence of major international productions provides Irish professionals with the opportunity to work alongside some of the world's most accomplished filmmakers and performers.
What's Next
'The Riders' is expected to complete principal photography in Ireland by the end of the summer, with post-production to follow. The film does not yet have a confirmed release date, but is expected to be a major awards contender when it is released. 'Wednesday' Season 3 is expected to be available on Netflix in 2027. The Irish Film Board is expected to publish its annual report on the sector's economic impact later in the year, which will provide a comprehensive picture of the production boom's contribution to the Irish economy.
