The North East has some of the most stunning locations in the whole of the country. From rugged coastlines to rolling hills and iconic castles.
So it should come as no surprise that some of the biggest filmmakers in the world have made the journey to our neck of the woods to make the most of the stunning scenery. It includes huge TV shows as well as iconic film franchises like Marvel and Harry Potter.
We also will take you back through time to see some real classic movies that were also filmed in the North East. It also includes the time one of our airports was used as a stand-in for New York City.
Let me know if you spotted any of the locations the first time you watched one of these films or shows! You can reach me by email: [email protected].
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9. Upgraded
Amazon Prime’s modern take on Cinderella might not seem like it has any link to the North East. However it actually did filming at Teesside International Airport - which was transformed into ‘New York International Airport’ through movie magic. So if you fly from Teesside this summer, you are following in the footsteps of Upgraded! | Paul Stephenson / Amazon MGM Studios Photo: Paul Stephenson / Amazon MGM Studios
10. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
The film adaptation of the Booker Prize nominated book finally arrived on the big screen in 2023 - more than a decade after it was first published. It featured the likes of Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton and it was filmed at locations around the North East - including Darlington. | Kate Green/Getty Images Photo: Kate Green/Getty Images
11. Billy Elliot
Perhaps one of the most famous films explicitly set in the North East - at least of those released in the 21st Century. Set in County Durham during the miners’ strike, it was filmed in the Easington Colliery area. Other locations used included Seaham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and some down south. | Luis Enrique Ascui/Getty Images Photo: Luis Enrique Ascui/Getty Images
12. Downton Abbey
The famous house itself is actually Highclere Castle in Hampshire, but during its run on ITV between 2010 and 2015, Downton Abbey actually did use some locations in the North East for filming. Scenes were shot at Beamish Museum and Alnwick Castle. So on your next re-watch of the show - keep your eyes peeled! | ISABEL INFANTES/AFP via Getty Images Photo: ISABEL INFANTES/AFP via Getty Images