Greenlight for UK film and TV production to continue during second lockdown

Following the UK Government’s announcement on 31 October that a second, England-wide lockdown will commence on 5 November, it has been confirmed that film and TV production can continue, while adhering to safety protocols. 

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of the British Film Commission, said: “Despite the extraordinary and difficult circumstances surrounding this second national lockdown, it’s a great relief to see confirmation from the Culture Secretary that we have Government’s support to continue Film and TV Production in the UK during lockdown, so long as productions are safely working within the extremely rigorous and comprehensive COVID safety guidance prepared by the British Film Commission, developed in liaison with Government and industry.”

As set out in the press conference as well as on GOV.UK, the Government has announced that workers "who cannot work from home should go to their place of work". 

This means that even in these circumstances, film and television production can continue, a point which has since been confirmed by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden this evening via his official Twitter account.

Film and television production is also permitted under current restrictions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

Big film and TV projects currently shooting in Britain include Sky's series Code 404, starring Stephen Graham, and Cobra, starring Robert Carlyle, and Netflix dramas Anatomy of a Scandal and Sex Education. 

 
The British Film Commission will update its ‘Working Safely During Covid-19 in Film and High-end TV Drama Production’ Guidance accordingly. 

 

Sex Education image: Sam Taylor/Netflix.