The British Film Commission (BFC) has named the West Midlands (Birmingham) as the UK’s eighth official regional production hub for scripted inward investment film and high-end TV.
The West Midlands has served as a production base for Peaky Blinders, feature film The Immortal Man, and the as-yet untitled Peaky Blinders spin-off series.
The West Midlands region joins a UK-wide network of production hubs that generated £5.8bn inward investment spend for the UK in 2025.
The network also includes: South-West England (Bristol); North-West England (Manchester and Liverpool); Yorkshire (Leeds); Northern Ireland (Belfast); Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh); Wales (Cardiff); as well as London and South-East England.
The BFC’s hub status is determined by three key criteria: evidence of successfully accommodating a major scripted title; access to a skilled local crew base; and studio or stage space and infrastructure capable of supporting a film and scripted high-end TV show.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, said: “As Tommy Shelby of Peaky Blinders once said: ‘When you plan something well, there’s no need to rush’. The growing success of the West Midlands as a UK production hub certainly bears this out. Over the course of nearly 15 years, the region has steadily grown in strength and stature, building skills, infrastructure, and reputation.”
Steven Knight, Writer, Director, and Creator of Peaky Blinders, added: “I’m thrilled that the West Midlands has been recognised as a fantastic place to make film and TV. The opening of Digbeth Loc. Studios is an important part of that ambition, providing a home for world-class film and television production in the heart of Birmingham. We are at the beginning of a journey, and we’ve got off to a great start.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, concluded: “This is a real game-changer because it gives the TV and film industry the confidence that we can provide the workforce, incredible locations, and facilities for productions of every scale. The BBC is already doubling its production spend, and Netflix did not hesitate to bring the Shelbys' home. We’ve also recently provided the backdrop for Yash Raj's latest Bollywood blockbuster.
“Long-running productions Silent Witness and MasterChef are creating regular work for local crews and helping keep talent here. And I’m investing in the local creators of new screen and digital ideas and training up the next generation, so they have the skills producers and directors need.”
The BBC Group recently struck a deal to produce new programming for YouTube, in an effort to capture younger viewers. Discover more here.
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