COVID-19

The screen industries are of course operating in unprecedented times and the impact of COVID-19 will undoubtedly be felt deeply as we work through this ever-evolving situation.

The primary concern is of the health and welfare of the workforce, and there has been a pausing, postponement and shut down of UK production at this time, creating a hiatus of work for the foreseeable future.

During this period Film London remains fully operational, delivering for the industry and sharing official advice and support. For advice on London locations, studios and facilities, email locations@filmlondon.org.uk

TV

Out this month on Apple TV+ is relationship comedy Trying. Set in Camden and shot in various North London locations, Rafe Spall and Esther Smith star as a couple who are navigating the trials and tribulations of adoption after discovering that they cannot conceive naturally.

Online

Released two months early to coincide with Star Wars Day (May 4th), you can now watch the final instalment of the sci-fi saga - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - on Disney+. Concluding the epic story of protagonist Rey and the fight between the resistance and First Order, filming took place at Pinewood Studios.

From out of space, to on the seas, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is also available on Disney+ this month. The 2011 feature had an extensive location shoot in the capital, including scenes at the iconic Old Royal Naval College and Hampton Court Palace as well as Pinewood Studios. On Stranger Tides is the fourth film in the pirate franchise, with the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow in search of the elusive fountain of youth. But he’s not the only one….

In case you missed it on TV last month, three-part drama Quiz is available to watch on ITV Hub. Based on the true 2001 scandal of game-show contestant Charles Ingram, who was eventually convicted of cheating his way to win the jackpot on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Wimbledon Studios was used as a substitute for the original game-show location of Salford, Manchester.

Finally, all five series of mockumentary People Just do Nothing are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. With a feature film having been announced earlier this year, familiarise yourself with MC Grindah, DJ Beats and the rest of the gang as they run the ‘world famous’ garage and drum & bass radio station Kurupt 108.9FM, right from a bedsit in Brentford. Across all five series, filming has taken place in Brentford, South Acton and Peckham