Stars Shine in Northern Ireland as Film Industry Thrives in 2025

The film and television industry in Northern Ireland has experienced a remarkable resurgence in 2025, attracting numerous stars and productions. Actors such as Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer have been spotted on location, while the region continues to host major projects, further solidifying its reputation as a vibrant hub for media production.

Amid a flurry of activity, Bill Murray garnered attention during the filming of the BBC and Paramount+ series Off Course in Greysteel. Meanwhile, Lucy Liu captivated audiences at the Belfast Film Festival in November, where she showcased her latest film, Rosemead, and received the prestigious Realta award. As the year draws to a close, plans for 2026 include new seasons of popular series such as Blue Lights and the highly anticipated seventh season of Line Of Duty.

Upcoming Productions and International Recognition

Anticipation builds for several new projects set to launch in 2026, including HBO’s Game Of Thrones prequel series, A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms, which will debut on Sky Atlantic and Now TV on January 19, 2026. Additionally, Lisa McGee’s follow-up to Derry Girls, titled How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, is scheduled for release on Netflix in February.

Notably, the four-part documentary series Titanic Sinks Tonight made headlines as the first project to utilize cutting-edge virtual production technology at Studio Ulster. This series debuted on the BBC over Christmas and is currently available on iPlayer. During the Cannes Film Festival in May, Northern Ireland Screen received the Special Recognition Award at the Global Production Awards, highlighting its significant contribution to sustainable production practices.

Belfast has also gained recognition as the City of Film, surpassing cities like New York, Sydney, and Zagreb in this prestigious title. The Northern Irish capital was praised for its holistic approach to film, which includes leveraging tourism, investing in skills, and promoting storytelling in both the Irish language and Ulster-Scots.

Highlights from the Silver Screen

The picturesque landscapes of Northern Ireland served as a stunning backdrop for Universal’s live-action adaptation of the animated trilogy How To Train Your Dragon, which opened in June and amassed a worldwide box office total of $197.8 million (£146.28 million). Another notable release was Four Letters Of Love, based on the bestselling novel by Niall Williams, featuring an impressive cast including Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter. This film premiered in cinemas in July.

In September, the world premiere of Saipan, directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, took place at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. The film narrates the conflict between Roy Keane, the Republic of Ireland football captain, and his manager Mick McCarthy during the preparations for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

On the television front, Channel 4’s In Flight utilized Belfast to double for various international locations, while Trespasses, based on Louise Kennedy‘s debut novel, aired in November. Additionally, Phyllis Logan, known for her role in Downton Abbey, took on a crime-solving role in the Channel 5 drama Murder Most Puzzling, filmed in Northern Ireland and broadcast in June 2025.

The second season of Malpractice, an acclaimed thriller on ITV, also returned in spring, while Hope Street continued its successful run, with the fifth series premiering in October. Animation series Puffin Rock, produced by Derry-based Dog Ears, made its debut on CBeebies with the first two seasons launching in February and the eagerly awaited third season premiering in September.

In the quiz show arena, Mastermind continued filming in Belfast, while The Finish Line aired its third season in March. A new quiz show, Do You Know Your Place, hosted by Vernon Kay and featuring Paul Gorton, has been commissioned by the BBC and will be produced by local company Stellify Media.

Richard Williams, CEO of Northern Ireland Screen, expressed enthusiasm about the achievements of the region’s screen industry in 2025. He emphasized the exceptional talent and collaboration within the creative community, highlighting the world-class facilities and innovative production techniques that have solidified Northern Ireland’s standing on the global stage.

As the industry looks ahead, Williams noted the promising slate of projects that will continue to elevate Northern Ireland’s profile in the entertainment world, ensuring that the momentum built in 2025 will carry into 2026 and beyond.