UK and Ireland Cement Status as Premier Film Destinations with Major Productions Underway
The United Kingdom and Ireland are cementing their status as premier destinations for high-end film and television production, with several major projects actively filming across both countries in April 2026 — from Netflix's Wednesday season three in Dublin to a new Luther film with Idris Elba in London — as Irish production spend hits a record high of €544 million.
Background
The UK and Ireland have long been attractive locations for major film and television productions, offering world-class studios, experienced crews, diverse locations, and generous tax incentives. Ireland's Section 481 tax relief, which provides a 32% tax credit on qualifying production expenditure, has been a cornerstone of the country's appeal to international producers. In 2025, Ireland introduced an additional 8% uplift for lower-budget feature films under €20 million, bringing the effective rate to 40% for qualifying projects — one of the most competitive incentives in Europe. Irish production spend reached a record €544 million in 2025, reflecting the sustained confidence of international studios in the country as a production base.
Northern Ireland has been a particularly significant beneficiary of this boom, with Belfast's Titanic Studios — one of the largest film studio complexes in Europe — providing the infrastructure for major productions since the original Game of Thrones series transformed the region's screen industry. The UK's own Creative Industries Tax Relief regime has similarly attracted major productions to England and Scotland, with the British Film Institute estimating that every £1 of tax relief generates £12 of economic activity.
Key Developments
In Ireland, the third season of the popular Netflix series Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega, began production in February 2026, with Dublin and Wicklow providing the backdrop for the gothic drama. Director Lenny Abrahamson is also filming Hillside Drive, a coming-of-age story starring Eve Hewson and Tom Burke, in the same locations. Belfast is hosting the Game of Thrones spin-off A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, with filming taking place across Northern Ireland's dramatic landscapes, continuing the region's long and lucrative association with the franchise. The production has used locations including the Mourne Mountains and the Antrim coast, bringing significant economic activity to local communities.
In the UK, London is the backdrop for Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a dark adaptation of the Dickens classic starring Johnny Depp, as well as Guy Ritchie's action film Viva la Madness. The next feature-length instalment of Luther with Idris Elba is also filming in the capital. Scotland is hosting a Highlander remake, adding to the diverse range of productions taking advantage of the country's dramatic landscapes and competitive tax environment.
Why It Matters
The film and television production industry makes a significant economic contribution to the UK and Ireland, supporting thousands of jobs in both direct production roles and the wider supply chain — from catering and transport to costume design and post-production. The presence of major international productions also raises the profile of UK and Irish locations, talent, and creative industries on the global stage, attracting further investment and tourism. For Northern Ireland in particular, the screen industry has become a vital pillar of the economy, with the success of Game of Thrones demonstrating the transformative potential of major long-running productions for a region's international profile and visitor economy.
Ireland's introduction of a 40% VFX tax credit, announced in Budget 2026, signals a further ambition to capture high-value post-production work alongside physical production, positioning the country to compete with established VFX hubs in the UK and Canada.
Local Impact
For Belfast and Northern Ireland, the continued presence of major productions at Titanic Studios and on location across the region represents a significant and growing economic dividend. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms alone is expected to bring tens of millions of pounds into the local economy during its production run, supporting hundreds of local crew members, suppliers, and hospitality businesses. The screen industry has also created a pipeline of skilled local talent, with Belfast Metropolitan College and other institutions developing training programmes to meet the growing demand for experienced crew. The success of the sector has helped to diversify Northern Ireland's economy and create high-quality employment opportunities that were not available a generation ago.
What's Next
Several of the productions currently filming are expected to complete principal photography in the coming months, with release dates anticipated in late 2026 and into 2027. Wednesday season three is expected to premiere on Netflix in late 2026, while A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is anticipated to air on HBO and Sky Atlantic. The continued investment in UK and Irish production infrastructure suggests that both countries will remain attractive destinations for major productions in the years ahead. For more, see Spotlight: What's Filming in the UK and Ireland April 2026 and Screen Daily: Irish Production Spend Record High.
