2023 is looking like an exciting year for the screen – here are five films and TV series currently filming in the UK and Ireland.
By Charlie Gardiner
The new year is upon us and as we look forward to what 2023 has in store for us, we celebrate the exciting productions that are back in full swing after the festivities. With award season looming, there are some exciting productions taking place up and down the country – from high-speed action films to royal dramas.
Let’s take a look at five exciting productions happening in the UK and Ireland this month:
‘Good Grief’
Known for his hugely successful Netflix series Schitts Creek, Dan Levy has crossed the pond to write and direct this upcoming romantic comedy starring Luke Evans, Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel and Celia Imrie. Telling the story of Marc who – after losing his husband and mother – goes on holiday to Paris with his close friends for a weekend of self-discovery.
Good Grief is currently filming in London and while holding the capital close to its roots, held some of its castings here at Spotlight in early 2022. Casting director, Jessica Ronane, leads casting on the project while Levy has been largely involved in all parts of production.
‘The Gentlemen’
Guy Ritchie is making his television debut with a new spin-off series that follows on from the events in his 2019 film of the same name. The series follows the antics of the British criminal underground as young soldier Eddie Halstead (played by rising talent, Theo James) inherits his father’s estate – only to find out it is the base of criminal activity.
The cast – brought together by Daniel Hubbard and Rory Okey – is bursting with British talent, including Joely Richardson, Kaya Scodelario and Vinnie Jones. The Gentlemen is currently filming on location in South London and South East England with its release date yet to be announced.
‘The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power’
After the huge success of the first season in 2022, the showrunners at Amazon Prime are bringing Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power back to our television screens with season 2. With a ground-breaking budget for the first season, the long-awaited return to Middle Earth was loved by Tolkien fans old and new – featuring a stellar cast of rising talent from all corners of the world.
New additions to the cast for the second season include Spotlight members Stuart Bowman, William Chubb and Gavi Singh Chera. Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power is currently filming at the Bray Film Studios in Windsor and the Bovingdon Airfield Studios in Hertfordshire with a release date set for 2024.
‘Back in Action’
Netflix’s new action comedy Back in Action features Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in their first film together since they both starred in the remake of Annie back in 2014. Although the plot is still under wraps, this is likely to be an exciting release for Netflix as Diaz has come out of retirement to star in it and the script comes from comedy writer, Brendan O’Brien (Bad Neighbours).
Currently filming at Shepperton Studios in London, Back in Action is set to be released on Netflix at the end of 2023.
‘The Crown’
The fifth season may have just recently been released on Netflix but that doesn’t mean the cast and crew of the highly-anticipated royal drama have taken a break. Production on the sixth – and final – season is well underway, currently filming in Elstree Studios in North London.
Series creator, Peter Morgan, will oversee the production of the big finale with returning cast members gracing the thrones of Buckingham Palace once again. Spotlight members Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce and Lesley Manville star alongside Elizabeth Debicki, who will return to the iconic role of Princess Diana with Dominic West as Prince Charles.
The final season’s plot is still top secret, with speculations about which big event in the timeline of the British Royal Family will close the epic series. The series is due to (hopefully) grace our screens in November 2023.
There’s no doubt that 2023 is already shaping up to be a fantastic year for new releases – both on the silver screen and in the comfort of our own homes, with the UK and Ireland continuing to be home to some brilliant productions.
With that, keep your eyes peeled for what’s to come and enjoy what the new year has in store!
Photo credit: powerofforever / iStock
