UK and Ireland Film Boom: From Beatles Biopic to Wednesday Season 3, Major Productions Roll
The UK and Ireland are experiencing a remarkable boom in high-end film and television production, with dozens of major projects currently in production across the two countries — from Sam Mendes' four-film Beatles biopic to the third season of Netflix's Wednesday, filming in Ireland.
The breadth and scale of productions currently shooting in the UK and Ireland reflects the enduring appeal of both countries as world-class filmmaking destinations, offering a combination of skilled crews, diverse locations, generous tax incentives, and world-class studio facilities.
Background
The UK's screen industry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. The introduction of the UK Film Tax Relief in 2007, subsequently enhanced and expanded, has been instrumental in attracting major international productions that might otherwise have filmed elsewhere. The High-End Television Tax Relief, introduced in 2013, extended similar incentives to television productions with budgets above £1 million per hour — a threshold that captures the vast majority of premium streaming content.
Ireland has pursued a parallel strategy through its Section 481 tax credit, which offers a 32% rebate on qualifying production expenditure. The result has been a dramatic increase in international productions choosing Ireland as a filming location, with the country's varied landscapes — from the rugged coastlines of Kerry to the urban streetscapes of Dublin — providing a versatile backdrop for everything from fantasy epics to contemporary dramas.
The combined effect of these incentives, allied to the availability of highly skilled crews and world-class studio facilities, has made the UK and Ireland one of the most competitive production environments in the world. The British Film Institute estimates that the UK screen industry contributes over £13 billion to the economy annually and supports more than 200,000 jobs.
Key Developments
Among the most high-profile productions currently in progress is Sam Mendes' ambitious four-film Beatles biopic, shooting in London and Liverpool with Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, and Joseph Quinn each portraying one of the Fab Four. The project is one of the most eagerly anticipated film events in years, with each film telling the story of the band from a different Beatle's perspective.
In Ireland, Netflix's Wednesday — the Addams Family spin-off starring Jenna Ortega — is filming its third season, with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Eva Green, and Winona Ryder joining the cast. The production brings significant economic activity to the Irish film industry and demonstrates Ireland's growing reputation as a premier location for international streaming productions. Other notable productions include Alex Garland's Elden Ring adaptation filming in England and Scotland with Kit Connor and Ben Whishaw; Henry Cavill's Highlander reimagining shooting in London and Scotland; and the Ghosts film adaptation shooting in Surrey.
On the television side, Bridgerton's fifth series is filming in London, while Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw are back for Black Doves series two. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — the Game of Thrones spin-off — is filming at Belfast Studios in Northern Ireland, bringing significant investment to the local screen industry.
Why It Matters
The current production boom is not merely a cultural phenomenon — it is an economic one of considerable significance. Every major production that chooses to film in the UK or Ireland brings with it a cascade of economic activity: hotel bookings, catering contracts, equipment hire, location fees, and employment for hundreds of local crew members and extras. For communities that host major productions, the benefits can be transformative. The Game of Thrones effect on Northern Ireland's tourism industry — which saw visitor numbers to filming locations surge dramatically — is the most celebrated example, but it is far from unique.
Local Impact
For Northern Ireland's screen industry, the current boom represents a continuation of the extraordinary growth that began with Game of Thrones. Belfast Studios has established itself as one of the premier production facilities in Europe, and the presence of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on its stages is a powerful signal that the facility remains a destination of choice for major international productions. Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen have both been active in supporting the development of local talent and infrastructure, ensuring that the benefits of the production boom are felt not just in terms of inward investment but in the long-term development of a sustainable indigenous screen industry.
What's Next
The pipeline of productions scheduled for the UK and Ireland in 2026 and beyond remains strong, with several major studios and streaming platforms committed to significant investment in British and Irish content. The sector continues to be a major employer and economic contributor, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across both countries. For the full list of productions currently shooting, see Screen Daily's production tracker and the British Film Institute's industry data.
