'Hustle', the BBC television drama, is relocating to the West
Midlands following investment by Screen WM through the Advantage
Media Production Fund, which is supported by Advantage West
Midlands.
Screen WM is investing in the next series of the major
international programme - produced by Kudos Film and
Television - which will mean 'Hustle' will relocate to Birmingham,
with the city's many and varied locations providing a new backdrop
for the popular drama which is broadcast across the world.
This is a major coup for the city and is part of a wider
strategy to secure and create a more sustainable screen media
sector in the West Midlands.
The relocation of Hustle, a drama series about a team of con
artists who target the rich and the greedy, will bring an estimated
£1.2 million into the regional economy and will provide jobs
for local crew.
This announcement follows hot on the heels of recent news from
Screen WM and Film Birmingham about the relocation of BBC drama
Survivors to the West Midlands.
The Hustle team is due to move to Birmingham and will be living
in the city for the duration of the filming. The news positions the
West Midlands as an important hub for UK drama production and
Birmingham is preparing to welcome the Hustle cast and crew to the
city.
In addition to financial investment, Screen WM has played a
significant role in attracting the new series of Hustle to the West
Midlands, working closely with Film Birmingham, providing locations
and crew support. The producers were attracted to the West Midlands
on the basis of the region's diverse locations, excellent
facilities and experienced crew as well as the key funding from
Screen WM through the Advantage Media Production Fund.
Simon Crawford Collins, Joint Managing Director of Kudos, said:
"We are hugely excited about Hustle's move to Birmingham.
It's a transformed city whose cool new locations have rarely
been used for TV dramas and we will hope it will become a hub for
Kudos' output for many years to come."
Lee Thomas, Executive Producer, said: "We are delighted that
Kudos has made Birmingham their home for the next series of Hustle.
The word seems to be out about the deep vein of production talent
based in our region; and crews who've been willing to work around
the country in the past are now able to work closer to home. Hustle
is celebrated not just in the UK, but by loyal audiences around the
world which only adds to our pride at this announcement."