TV show Hustle to return to the West Midlands
BBC One TV drama Hustle will return to the West Midlands this summer thanks to behind-the-scenes public sector funding.
The production of the seventh series of the show, about a team of con artists, has been enticed to the region through investment from the Advantage Media Production Fund.
The fund is managed by regional screen agency Screen WM with money from the soon-to-be-scrapped regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund.
Screen WM declined to specify the amount of its investment into Hustle, but said it was less than its investment into bringing the series to the region last year.
Hustle will be produced by London-based Kudos Film and Television, which is also responsible for programmes like Spooks and Ashes to Ashes.
Suzie Norton, chief executive of Screen WM said: “Kudos’ return sends a welcome signal that Birmingham and the wider region is a great place to do business for film and television production.
“Further employment opportunities for local crew and use of local facilities including locations, hotels, restaurants and caterers ensures an extra boost for the local economy and the city’s profile as an emerging centre of excellence in film and TV.”
Screen WM said the 2009 production of the sixth series brought a major cash boost to Birmingham’s economy, and promised this time that a minimum of 50 per cent of all crew will be sourced from the region.
The announcement comes at a time of great uncertainty for the regional screen agency, whose task is to offer funding and support for film, television and digital media in the West Midlands.
Two of its major backers – Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and the UK Film Council – are set to be abolished as the Conservative-led government follows through on its promised cull of quangos.
The screen agency receives £800,000 a year from the UK Film Council as well as holding the contracts from AWM to invest about £9 million over a three-year period through its various funds to support film and digital media.
Screen WM has responded to the announcement of the UK Film Council’s abolition by saying it was working hard to ensure there was continued support for film and the wider creative industries outside of London.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was scrapping the UK Film Council as part of a drive to cut costs and dismantle bureaucracy, but that Government and Lottery support for film will continue.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said that the main activities currently carried out by the UK Film Council, which employs 75 staff, would continue through other organisations.
Meanwhile some of Advantage West Midlands’ activities will continue in the region through local enterprise partnerships set up between councils and business.
