The West Midlands is becoming one of Britain’s busiest screen-production hubs, with TV and film spending in the region reaching £15.5m in the first quarter of 2026.
That was almost 40% of the total recorded across England during the period. Productions including Peaky Blinders, Silent Witness and Bollywood films have brought millions of pounds into the local economy, as well as skilled work for crews, designers, make-up artists and costume teams.
New funds to keep productions in the region
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has opened a new Content Production Fund for applications from producers and directors. It forms part of a wider £100m plan to grow the region’s creative industries, improve skills, create jobs and support more studio space and homes.
The investment builds on the work of Production Central WM, which helped bring the latest Peaky Blinders productions to the area. A third round of the IP Content Fund, delivered with Creative UK, will also support new TV, film and digital projects.
Among the productions filmed locally is The Cadburys, a six-part drama about Birmingham’s famous chocolate-making family. It includes local crew members and three Birmingham actors, and is due to screen on U and UDRAMA in 2027.
The region’s creative sector is already worth almost £4bn a year, supporting around 13,700 businesses and 38,000 jobs. The BBC also plans to increase its annual production spending in the West Midlands to £40m by the end of the current Charter.
Why it matters for Britain
The funding could help more people build careers in film and television without leaving the West Midlands. Productions also support the visitor economy, while Birmingham’s expanding creative base strengthens the UK’s screen-making capacity.
