It’s been said that when the Chiltern Firehouse, a renowned luxury hotel in London, caught fire in February, many of the high-profile guests who poured out into the streets weren’t wealthy British individuals; instead, they hailed from Los Angeles.
The location was scheduled to stage Netflix’s BAFTA awards bash over the weekend, attracting stars like Zoe Saldaña, Leonardo DiCaprio, Demi Moore, Adrien Brody, and Colman Domingo. However, an unexpected piece of wood falling from a pizza oven necessitated a sudden change in arrangements. Swiftly, more than 100 firefighters rushed to the popular celebrity hub situated in Marylebone, which is owned by André Balazs, the proprietor of Chateau Marmont. Despite the significant property damage, no one was hurt. This incident serves as a symbolic representation: London is burning with activity.
London stands out with its cutting-edge film studios operating at peak capacity (encompassing millions of square feet of soundstage space collectively), a tax incentive system that offers substantial savings for producers, and a forward-thinking atmosphere that contrasts starkly with the constant barrage of restrictive policies under President Trump (not to mention the turmoil caused on travel). As one industry insider puts it, “London is more like Hollywood than Hollywood itself.
By 2024, Film London predicted an investment of approximately £9.5 billion ($12.7 billion) in the city for production over the next five years. Major streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney are growing their U.K. offices, with studios like Pinewood (which produced 12 Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters) and Ealing already fully occupied. Notable players in the global production industry, such as Working Title, Protagonist Pictures, and All3Media, call London home. Talent from Britain and Ireland are thriving both in front of and behind the camera. This news may not astonish those involved in London’s entertainment sector, as it’s more than just cost savings and the Trump effect; Hollywood seems to have lost some of its shine.
Los Angeles, once known as the world’s epicenter for movies, riches, and glamour, has suffered more than any other city due to the global drop in film production. The Hollywood film and television industry has experienced a significant decline, with U.S. productions seeing a 40% decrease from their pre-strike levels in 2022. Conversely, in the United Kingdom, production income in 2024 reached £5.6 billion ($7.4 billion), marking a 31% rise compared to the previous year, as reported by the British Film Institute’s research and statistics department.
Filming activities in California experienced a significant drop last year, reaching an all-time low in terms of recorded levels since 2017 (excluding 2020 due to the peak of the pandemic), as many studios and streaming platforms grappled with budget cuts.
Despite ripping through just 1.3% of its filming spots, the Los Angeles wildfires still caused many productions to halt. A leading streaming executive explains this as illogical when you consider the numbers, pointing out that entire soundstages on L.A. studios remain unused.
Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom of California is making efforts to boost his state’s Film and Television Tax Credit program to $750 million yearly. However, he finds himself dealing with a flurry of issues caused by President Trump’s recent tariff changes. The latest tariff proposal, which imposes a 100% tax on all movies entering the U.S. produced abroad, has left many in the industry puzzled. This decision raises several questions: How will co-productions be affected? Does this rule apply to American productions currently being filmed outside of the country? For instance, Marvel’s highly anticipated “Avengers: Doomsday,” which is being shot in London, could potentially be impacted by these new tariffs.
Glad to wake up on Thursday to news that we’ve sealed a significant trade agreement between the U.K. and U.S. – my first taste of such a deal in Trump’s second term! It feels great to see Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump praising our nations’ bond as allies.
Starmer participated in the Oval Office press conference over the phone and praised it as an “excellent, significant day,” while Trump termed it a “vital victory.” The broad statements from both leaders suggested that the specifics of the agreement were yet to be fully revealed; however, key points such as the abolition of the 25% tariff on U.K. steel and aluminum, reductions in car export taxes, and a decrease in ethanol tariffs for U.S. goods were discussed. Notably, Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on British films was not addressed immediately following the deal’s announcement, indicating that we will have to see how things unfold.
There is one thing Trump’s right about: Hollywood is facing a “very fast death.”
The U.K. is becoming increasingly attractive to Hollywood producers, according to sources reported by THR. These professionals are drawn to London not just for filming and scriptwriting opportunities, but also as a potential permanent residence. The left-leaning nature of the entertainment industry is disheartened by Trump’s re-election, with one lawyer stating that an Oscar-winning client who moved to Britain was largely motivated by this political development. However, the primary incentive for this shift is financial: the allure of substantial monetary benefits is hard to resist.
As a cinema enthusiast, I must say that the tax incentives for film production in the U.K. are truly outstanding! Starting from this year, film and TV producers who choose to shoot in the U.K. can enjoy a 40% reduction on their final bill. The Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit offers them a tax credit equivalent to 34% of their U.K. production costs. From April 1st, they can also claim a credit of 39% on their visual effects costs. And the cherry on top? Indie films with budgets under £15 million ($20 million) are eligible for an impressive 53% refund, thanks to the recently introduced Independent Film Tax Credit, effective since October.
In simpler terms, the tax benefits are substantial, which makes it less expensive for studios like Disney. This means that these companies can get back around 20% more of their production costs after taxes in the UK. Moreover, American citizens aren’t required to pay taxes twice; they can use the taxes they’ve already paid to the U.K. as a credit towards their U.S. tax.
Filming in Australia and Spain can also be cost-effective, as evidenced by Netflix setting up its European production base at Madrid’s Secuoya Studios. However, London offers an additional advantage in terms of production – infrastructure.
Mike Mosallam, COO of Shadowbox Studios, expresses astonishment over the impressive facilities at their new Shinfield Studios, located near London. Shinfield, which started operations in 2021, has been fully functional since June.
As a gamer, I’d be thrilled to share my experience about this massive studio that spans almost a million square feet, housing 18 meticulously designed soundstages. This bustling facility is a testament to the surge of film production in the U.K. Currently, it’s packed to its capacity, and I’ve been lucky enough to witness some big-name Hollywood productions here. Among them are the action-packed “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” Disney’s intriguing “Star Wars” spinoff “Andor,” and the highly anticipated adaptation of “The Magic Faraway Tree,” directed by Ben Gregor. These shoots represent just a tiny fraction of the numerous productions that have been filmed in and around London over the past few years.
Indeed, regions like Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other parts of England are equally important, but out of the approximately 7 million square feet of filming stages that the U.K. possesses, around a fourth (specifically, about 21%) can be found in London.
Lucasfilm, the production company established by George Lucas and renowned for its financially successful film franchises, has filmed all nine of its Star Wars movies at their Pinewood Studios. Additionally, movies like Solo, Rogue One, and the Indiana Jones series have contributed significantly to their global success, amassing billions in revenue primarily in the U.K., which is then reinvested into the company. Moreover, this economic powerhouse also benefits the local community: The BBC drama This City Is Ours, produced by Left Bank Pictures, is estimated to have injected £9 million ($12 million) into Liverpool’s economy, as stated by the city council.
According to a Lucasfilm source, THR reports that this traditional aspect helps maintain consistency within the crew as well: Costume designers for recent Star Wars productions are actually the offspring of prop department veterans from 1977’s A New Hope. As Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher were American, but all the crew members were British, this trend also extends to James Bond (which will continue to be filmed in England after its Amazon acquisition) and Harry Potter: Hollywood-made productions had supporting teams from the UK.
Instead of merely seeking out an exotic location for tax benefits, it’s more about finding a place where the workforce is already established,” I found out. “Why? Because when you arrive, there’s often a lack of local talent. Instead, you end up importing most of the workforce, which can be costly. However, London offers stages, teams, and all the necessary resources.
Over the years, numerous legendary movies have been shot here, and the U.K. has capitalized on this existing foundation by investing in both modern and traditional facilities. As a London-based immigration lawyer who’s assisted many A-list celebrities with their moves to the United States, Chetal Patel notes this development. In fact, Amazon is planning to inject millions of dollars into Bray Studios over the next five years, a historic site that has hosted productions like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Mummy , and Alien.
Additionally, there’s an advantage in terms of geography. Scouting locations from London is made simpler since Wales can be reached quickly by car and the Scottish Highlands are merely a 60-minute flight away. Furthermore, most of Europe, including the tax-friendly regions of Eastern Europe, Spain, and Greece, are just hours away from London’s urban environment by air travel.
The benefit of location is significant in this case. It’s effortless to scout for locations when Wales is a convenient car ride away from London and the Scottish Highlands are within easy reach, being only a short 60-minute flight. Moreover, many parts of Europe, including tax-advantageous regions like Eastern Europe, Spain, and Greece, can be accessed in just hours by plane, starting from London’s urban setting.
In Mosallam’s view, regardless of where producers may search globally, he has found that production choices are almost always influenced by just two factors: people and costs. Given its status as a premier urban center, attracting elite talent to London is relatively straightforward.
Without a doubt, there’s no compulsion to travel great distances from your loved ones when skill and team can simply hail a morning cab to Pinewood. As L.A.-based talent attorney Abel Lezcano points out, the U.K. is more appealing to stars. “Top-tier talent, referring to actors, scriptwriters, and directors… they aren’t inclined to spend eight weeks in South Africa or Botswana,” he explains. “The flight from New York to London isn’t significantly distinct from the flight between New York and Los Angeles.
When Ariana Grande, who sang in Wicked, unveiled the expanded version of her latest album titled Eternal Sunshine, one of the tunes generating much discussion was a heartfelt ode to the north London district, Hampstead. “I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead,” she croons. Known for being a favorite among stars like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, this charming, picturesque location boasting a village-like ambiance is just a stone’s throw from the city center and ideally situated for celebrities.
Hampstead is just one of the many, each unique and vibrant, boroughs that make up London. These areas boast some of the finest dining, parks, museums, sports venues, and theaters on the planet. Therefore, when Jon M. Chu’s Broadway adaptation of Wicked was filmed at Pinewood Studios, with stars like Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey among its cast, they found the U.K. a comfortable home during production. “Perhaps someone offers you a fantastic tax break to shoot in the desert,” another source points out. “But do you really want to spend a year in the desert?
Patel agrees, explaining that her clients are choosing to move to the UK due to advantages such as its free healthcare system and stricter gun laws. A client working in Britain under the Global Talent visa shares with THR: “The political climate and cost of living, particularly the high cost of healthcare – unattainable for freelancers like myself – played a crucial role in my decision to relocate from the US. I felt more culturally aligned with the UK’s ethos.
Additionally, another motivation is standing up against Trump. With diversity and inclusion initiatives being dismantled across many places, Britain presents an opportunity to serve as a sanctuary for talent seeking respite from Trump’s tumultuous policies. As Patel points out, the Trump administration has imposed restrictions on certain nationalities entering the U.S., making it more challenging for individuals from India or Pakistan. Consequently, the United Kingdom offers a degree of safety and acceptance that some people find appealing.
In light of Trump’s strict immigration policies causing confusion and turmoil in travel and visas, Patel advises her clients to explore the Global Talent visa, which she refers to as the “cream of the crop” among U.K.’s visa categories. This visa allows talented individuals to work and reside in Britain for a period of up to five years. In the past few months, many of Patel’s clients have been utilizing this opportunity. Notably, this route doesn’t require sponsorship; instead, the applicant can generate income as a freelancer or self-employed. All that is required is a strong track record in the entertainment industry and an endorsement from someone based in Britain within the same field.
Speaking on the Global Talent visa, this individual expresses that the current administration has made it the right time for their move here. For some years now, they’ve felt a strong connection to the work produced in the U.K., with their favorite collaborations and projects stemming from there. They find it challenging to produce their best work in America due to an unsuitable creative environment. Instead, they feel more at home and fulfilled in terms of both their artistic self and as a human being, in the U.K.’s quality of life.
The impact of Trump is also resonating in British entertainment, as some argue it could fill a gap created by the increasingly cautious approach in American entertainment. With Hollywood growing more risk-adverse during the Trump era, industry insiders suggest that the UK isn’t hesitant to handle challenging subject matter. Pushing boundaries only serves to reinforce what executives already believe about the UK: It is currently leading the way in creating compelling content for television, as evidenced by productions like Black Mirror and Baby Reindeer.
Last year, Jay Hunt, chair of BFI and European creative director for Apple TV+, stated that we have no equal worldwide in our field. In fact, we are uniquely one-of-a-kind. To stand at the Emmys [where Slow Horses won best writing for a drama series in 2024] or the Oscars a few years back and listen to British voices after British voices accepting awards… I’m eager to continue working on something that nurtures this, as it’s truly valuable.
Some people think that resistance to Trump’s DEI restrictions could ultimately benefit minorities and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds trying to enter the industry in a more inclusive U.K. Patel cites Netflix’s “Adolescence” as an illustration of how British creators can counteract Trump’s efforts to undermine diversity, making a tangible difference in the process.
Owen Cooper, who played the lead in ‘Adolescence’, along with other child actors, were specifically selected for their roles because they hadn’t followed the conventional path common among upper-middle-class drama students. The aim was to provide chances that could help increase social mobility,” she explains of this timely British series. “This is a trend we’re fully promoting in the U.K.,” she adds.
The influence of this show has been so significant that it’s been debated in Parliament and is now being shown in schools throughout the U.K., as an attempt to curb knife violence and shield young boys from the harmful impact of the online ‘manosphere’.
Much like ITV’s “Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office” (2024) stirred the nation into a frenzy, being broadcast for public consumption. This Peabody Award-winning series highlighted the unjust conviction of hundreds of sub-postmasters accused of theft, with the real culprit being a flawed IT system, between 1999 and 2015. The series was so well-received and the scandal it portrayed so shocking that it led the British government to clear the names of the sub-postmasters and pay them compensation in the thousands. The former Post Office head, Paula Vennells, faced public criticism and had her CBE revoked. According to Patel, films and television shows have the power to instigate political and societal change in the U.K., a power not always seen in other countries: “We can be provocative.
According to Hunt, Idris Elba’s 2010 role as the first Black lead on Luther for BBC One was a significant milestone in the industry. “By entering people’s homes,” she explained, “you influence their perspective about the country they inhabit.” She further discussed how British cinema and television can shape the world. “It’s critically important,” she said, “that we discover methods, especially in a society that is divided, for communities across the UK to see themselves on screen and to witness their stories. We understand that this has the power to revolutionize things.
Despite Trump’s significant influence yet to fully unfold, London’s prominence in the worldwide film and television industry predates his re-entry into politics’ high office, and it appears unwavering. Studios are consistently occupied for years ahead, the cost reductions will surely become increasingly beneficial as global trade wars affect the economy, and London streets will continue to be bustling with Hollywood stars (even if their luxury accommodations don’t catch fire).
Some people may feel that London can’t fully compete with Hollywood, but the surge in film production there has left quite a few others – including President Trump, it seems – feeling somewhat envious.
In conversations with my colleagues and friends based in the U.S.,” Patel states, “it’s clear that we are now seen as a new hub for Hollywood-like productions. I have connections with major streaming platforms abroad, and they’ve expressed interest in London becoming the next major stage, and they want to establish themselves here.
An adaptation of this tale was published in the May 7 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Consider subscribing here to stay updated.
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2025-05-08 23:26