Netflix secures more UK filming space, with deal to double presence at Shepperton Studios

Netflix has secured more room to film shows in the South East, agreeing to double the size of its production hub at the famous Shepperton Studios.

The deal was unveiled alongside the site’s owner, Pinewood Group, announcing it will commit to expanding the studios, which are close to Heathrow airport. It now comprises some 14 stages, and that will rise to 31 stages, although not all of these will be used by Netflix.

Netflix, whose original productions include The Crown and Sex Education, in 2019 agreed to take over around 435,000 sq ft of space at the site where films such as Alien and Gladiator were shot.

Netflix is currently using Shepperton to film shows such as Enola Holmes 2.

Today Pinewood said it has agreed a “long-term contract” with the California-headquartered streaming giant to double the size of its existing production hub at Shepperton Studios.

The new space is set to be ready in 2023.

Paul Golding, chairman of Pinewood Group, said the tenant’s commitment to expand at Shepperton is an “endorsement of our operational expertise and enables us to continue our investment into this great studio”.

Anna Mallett, vice president physical production at Netflix UK & EMEA, said: “The new contract with Shepperton highlights our commitment to investing in the UK creative industry and will provide a wealth of opportunities and production jobs, from entry level to heads of department.”

The company has been increasing its property presence in the UK this year via a string of deals, including signing for space in north London’s Enfield and at Longcross Studios in Surrey.

It has committed to a UK production budget of more than $1 billion (£740 billion) in 2021 and some 10,000 people are working on Netflix original productions in the UK.

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