North East Screen

15/10/2025

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Lonesome Pine Productions - a company crafting stories that captivate, entertain and stay with audiences long after the credits roll.

In the last three years, they’ve delivered multiple 5 and Paramount+ commissions - including The Inheritance (5’s best new drama of 2023) and The Feud (top new drama of 2025) - and earned four nominations at the 2024 TV Choice Awards.

Behind The Feud was a team made up of 82% regional crew - a brilliant reflection of the world-class talent and skill driving production across the North East 🎉

Their latest project, The Family Secret, is a psychological drama starring Eleanor Tomlinson and Matthew Lewis, filmed entirely in the region and set to air on 5 in 2026.

“The North East was the first place we developed anything as a new production company. The diversity of locations and depth of talent here mean the creative possibilities are second to none.”

06/10/2025

We’re thrilled to share that Emily Turnbull has won the Andrew Bainbridge Rising Star Award at the Location Manager Awards UK! 🌟

Over the past seven years, Emily has grown from Location Trainee to Assistant Location Manager, working on productions including 28 Years Later, The Old Oak, Vera and I Fought The Law. From scouting locations to coordinating permits and managing logistics, Emily has helped ensure productions run smoothly while building strong connections with local communities.

Congratulations, Emily - this award recognises all the hard work and skill you bring to the screen industry! 👏

https://northeastscreen.org/film-office/

02/10/2025

Nurturing the next generation of screen talent! 🌟

We've teamed up with The Northern School of Art to launch Connected Campus, a pilot programme giving students hands-on access to the skills, experience and industry insight needed to thrive in film and TV production 🎥

This project is funded by Screen Alliance North with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding.

From masterclasses and workshops to CV support and networking events, students across creative disciplines, from film and animation to production design and costume, will gain real-world experience and career opportunities, culminating in a showcase event for industry professionals.

This partnership strengthens the North East’s growing screen ecosystem and opens new pathways for emerging talent to shine 🎬✨

The Northern School Of Art BFI Tees Valley Combined Authority

30/09/2025

Filming now in the North East! 🎬

We’re proud to share that The Family Secret (w/t), a new psychological drama from North East based Lonesome Pine, is rolling cameras across our region. Starring Eleanor Tomlinson, Matthew Lewis and a stellar cast, the 4x60 drama will air on Channel 5 in 2026.

This marks the 14th production supported by the North East Production Fund, showcasing our incredible talent, locations and crews once again 🎉

We can’t wait for audiences to see the North East on screen in this gripping new series 🌟

North East Combined Authority Tees Valley Combined Authority Lonesome Pine Productions Channel 5

26/09/2025

That’s a wrap on Content Without Borders 2025 🎬✨

Earlier this week, we welcomed UK independent drama producers and global commissioners to Durham for two packed days of panels, networking, and 1-2-1 meetings. From BBC to Netflix and broadcasters across Europe, buyers came together with UK creatives to spark new collaborations and future screen stories.

Huge thanks to our partners Pact, DBT, Audio Network, and Geo Pura for making it happen, and to everyone who joined us at Ramside Hall Hotel.

The North East continues to be the place where global opportunities meet local talent 🎥🌍

25/09/2025

Big impacts. Bigger ambitions. 🚀

Three years of growth, talent, and brilliant work across the North East screen sector 🤩

Key highlights from 2022 - 2025:
✨ 131% surge in regional production spend
✨ £65m+ GVA added to the local economy
✨ 1,046 FTE jobs created across the screen sector
✨ 65% of NEPF production crew are North East based
✨ 6,422 paid training days delivered to develop local talent

The North East is proving what’s possible when we invest in our region… and we’re just getting started 📈

Read the full 3 Years of Big Impacts Report here 👉 https://bit.ly/3yearsofbigimpacts

North East Combined Authority Tees Valley Combined Authority Ben Houchen - Tees Valley Mayor

25/09/2025

Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning screenwriter Peter Straughan at the North East's first Screenwriting Weekender earlier this year. Well, good news everyone...
.. the Screenwriting Weekender is returning! It will be on from 6-8 February 2026 Live Theatre Newcastle.

Produced by New Writing North and sponsored by North East Screen, it's a packed weekend of TV industry talks, workshops and networking aimed at writers who want to improve their screenwriting skills, get industry know-how and make new connections.

The full programme will be announced in November, but tickets will be on sale to New Writing North newsletter subscribers from 26 September and on general release from 29 September. 🙂

Sign up to our newsletter https://confirmsubscription.com/h/j/DCF98EB0DFF65F02

Image: Peter Straughan by Rob Irish

19/09/2025

ITV drama I Fought the Law has struck a chord with audiences nationwide 👏🎬

The four-part series, starring Sheridan Smith, tells the true story of Ann Ming’s fight for justice after her daughter’s murder — and her 15-year battle to change the Double Jeopardy Law.

Backed by the North East Production Fund and filmed entirely in the region, the production not only showcases our landscapes but also the incredible skills of local crew, with 76% of the team coming from the North East.

Since its debut, the drama has averaged 1.90 million viewers, been streamed over 10 million times in its first week, and is now ITVX’s 4th most watched show.

Read more about the production and its impact here:
👉

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

17/09/2025

A £33.5m expansion of The Northern Studios and a brand-new Screen Industries Production Village have been given the green light 🙌

👉 130+ new jobs
👉 Revitalised heritage buildings (including the Shades Hotel)
👉 Cutting-edge studios & facilities
👉 More productions heading to the Tees Valley

This game-changing project, backed by North East Screen alongside Hartlepool Borough Council , The Northern School Of Art and Tees Valley Combined Authority , will put Hartlepool firmly on the UK screen industries map.

Film, TV, digital innovation, and the wider creative industries in the North East have just taken a major step forward! 👏🎬

https://northeastscreen.org/planning-approval-secured-for-major-expansion-of-hartlepools-film-and-tv-production-industry/

10/09/2025

Hear from local stakeholders, partners and the production team behind I Fought the Law, the latest production to be supported by the North East Production Fund. Discover what it meant to see this powerful story brought to life here in the North East and supported by North East Screen’s film office.

If you haven’t managed to catch it yet, you can stream all episodes now on ITVX & STV Player.

Interested in filming in the region? Reach out to [email protected]

10/09/2025

That’s a wrap on the latest season of Smoggie Queens! 🎬✨

We'd like to say a huge congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this Teesside favourite back to screens. Supported by the North East Production Fund and our Film Office, it’s another brilliant example of the talent and creativity we’re proud to have rooted here in the North East 🌟

We're so excited to see its return to our screens soon!

Thinking about filming in the region? Contact [email protected] and find out how the NEPF and the Film Office can support your production 🎥

Tees Valley Combined Authority

📷: Phil Dunning
📷: Chris Jones

09/09/2025

Curious about job sharing in production? 🎬

Screen Alliance North with ReelTime Media are running a series of online sessions this autumn, exploring how job sharing and other flexible ways of working can support careers across the screen industry.

💻 Six sessions, each focused on a different department
🤝 Open to people working in the screen industry across the North
📅 September - October 2025

Whether you already have a job share partner, are looking for one, or want to understand how this approach could work in your team, these sessions are for you.

Find out more & register your interest 👉

Is job sharing something you’re interested in? Are you looking to work more flexibly within the industry? Screen Alliance North, with partners Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire, are working with ReelTimeMedia to deliver a series of online sessions foc...