Getting Local: What Productions are or have been Filming in Leeds and York recently?

So far, 2026 has seen plenty of actors, celebrities, production companies, crew, equipment and fascinated onlookers make their way through northern streets. From small coastal towns near Hull to large City Centres. Some of your favourite or (potentially soon to be) favourite productions may be much more local than you think. Some of your local road closures, diversions and new ‘no parking signs’, although seemingly a pain, may actually be in action so that directors can in fact yell “action!” as actors transform into characters and revive storylines you will soon be watching.


If you are local to Leeds, York and the surrounding areas, previous productions you may have watched and thought to yourself “hey I know there!” may include Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001), Gentleman Jack (2019-22), The Crown 2016-23), Peaky Blinders (2013-22) and Bridgeton (2020-present) which utilised the grounds of Castle Howard as the Duke of Hasting’s fancy estate in Season one of the hit Netflix show. The above TV shows and films are only just a few of the productions that have utilised York, Leeds and our northern streets to bring their stories to life. So, what productions have been recently happening in and around our local area this year?

---

Scorn ​

Filming earlier this year and now in post-production, Scorn has been described as an erotic thriller. Starring Hollywood actor Adria Arjona known for films like Blink Twice (2024), Hitman (2023) and Father of the Bride (2022), the film, as described by IMDb follows a woman entangled in a passionate affair with a married man, who after he declares their love is a simple fling, she does not go away quietly.


Locals spotted film crew in St Marys in York near Bootham with street closures in place as well as scenes taking place in Micklegate and Hosforth, Leeds. There was particular attention on Bathurst House in York, one of York’s grandest homes, where filming took place inside. Scorn is being produced by Topic Studios who produced films like A Real Pain (2024) which won actor Kieran Culkin an academy award for best actor in a supporting role. Scorn is yet to have a release date, but we are interested to know what drama unfolds in the fancy walls of Bathurst House.

Patience (Series Three)


 Now filming its third season, Patience is a crime drama well known for its use of classic York hotspots which have featured throughout the series. For those who have not already seen the very popular Channel 4 show, Patience follows Patience Evans, played by Ella Maisy Purvis, a young autistic woman who catalogues evidence in her local Yorkshire records police department. Working together with Detective Inspector Bea Metcalf, they solve complex murder cases. Viewers have clearly been enjoying the mystery, crime and drama as Patience began filming its third season this Spring/Summer


Keeping to its classic use of cobbled pavements, old buildings with a hint of ghosts and quant pathways, Patience continues to use York as its locational backdrop. Recently, crew have been filming Precentor’s court next to York Minster which acts as the fictional residence of Patience Evans, who seemingly must be on a very hefty salary. Additionally, filming has been spotted along Monks Yard and along by the infamous flooding rivers. Many of the show’s exterior locations are filmed in York, especially its easily recognisable city centre. Patience does however expand its filming locations, especially when shooting its interior scenes, with Patience’s interior apartment shot in Antwerp, Belgium!

---

Shy & Lola


A new and upcoming six-part BBC drama with a dark comedic twist has been filming in and around Hull recently. Produced by BAFTA and Emmy award winning Clerkenwell Films - which has produced shows like Baby Reindeer (2024) and The End of the F***ing World (2017-2019) - Shy & Lola stares Harley Squires (Beau is Afraid, 2023) and Bel Powley (The King of Staten Island, 2020). The show follows Shy (Harley Squires) a struggling cleaner dreaming of a new life and Lola (Bel Powley) and ex-model turned swindler who both get entangled in Shy’s coastal seaside town’s criminal underworld following a murder. The unlikely duo however, soon discover they have quite the talent for crime.


Shy & Lola has been spotted filming around Hull Minster and Hull’s Old Town including the High Street. Forty minutes or so outside of Hull city centre is the small coastal town of Withernsea, where filming has also been taking place near Cheverton Avenue, with locals noting road closures and diversions. It is clear that filming is evidently aiming to bring true, authentic northern locations to the screen, as after all, this new dark comedy is set in the North of England.

Power and Glory
Another major production currently filming in Yorkshire is Power and Glory, which has been spotted filming in Sheffield. The new drama is making use of a variety of locations across the city, showcasing Sheffield's unique industrial character and distinctive urban landscapes.
Yorkshire has long been a favourite with production companies thanks to its versatility, and Sheffield is no exception. From its striking architecture and historic streets to its modern developments, the city offers filmmakers a range of visually interesting locations without needing to travel far.
Large-scale productions such as Power and Glory not only shine a spotlight on the region but also bring valuable opportunities for local talent and crew. With filming taking place across Sheffield, the production continues the growing trend of high-profile television projects choosing Yorkshire as their home, reinforcing the county's reputation as one of the UK's busiest filming hubs.


The Piano


Channel 4’s widely acclaimed music competition The Piano has been filming recently in York Railway Station this March. Taking a break from Head & Shoulders adverts and The Traitors, Claudia Winkelman was spotted in York Station filming a new segment for the show.


The Piano places, yes you guessed it, a piano in the middle of busy UK train stations as it sits waiting for amateur pianists. This time, York has been selected. As the pianists play, they are secretly judged by world- class and infamous musicians such as Jon Batiste and MIKA. Throughout the piano’s stay, judges and Claudia look for what they believe to be the best amateur pianist. We are looking forward to seeing what talent York produces!

High Hoops (Series Three)
 
The popular CBBC kids show High Hoops is filming currently in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Starring Robert Webb and Isy Suttie (Peep Show, 2003-2015), High Hoops follows a clumsy and reckless teen Aofie (Darci Hull) who joins her school’s basketball team in the hopes she can turn them into winners whilst trying to reinvent herself at the same time.


High Hoops utilises Calderdale College in Halifax as its fictional Midvale School and is using Dean Clough as its primary base whilst filming its third series. With Calderdale College being so close to Dean Clough, Halifax has become a great location for High Hoops as it continues to be widely well-received.


Jamie Johnson FC


Not only are CBBC filming High Hoops locally, they are also filming Jamie Johnson FC, a kid’s TV show that follows the young footballers of the elite Hawx Football Academy as they go through the trials and tribulations of following their football dreams whilst still trying to navigate growing up.


Jamie Johnson FC filmed in various locations across Leeds and York with casting calls in the local areas for kids aged 11-17 who were particularly skilful at football. A lot of shooting took place at Leeds Beckett University, specifically in their sports centre which happens to have a red exterior - Hawx’s signature colour. It’s great to see locations being utilised authentically alongside the involvement of local youth and talent on screen.

---

Mysterious Productions


As well as the many titled productions filming in York and Leeds, there has been sightings of more mysterious projects utilising local spots and restaurants. Recently, a local Leeds restaurant ‘Kerla Canteen’ on St Peter’s Street was overrun for a long day of filming this May. Not much is known about the production, however it will be starring Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, 2012), (The Imitation Game, 2014). The owner of the restaurant noted actors really did eat dishes from the restaurant’s actual menu! Unfortunately, there is not much else we can share with you regarding the production at this time

Filming has also recently been spotted at Harewood House, one of Yorkshire's most recognisable stately homes. The historic estate has long been a popular choice for film and television productions thanks to its grand architecture, extensive grounds and picturesque surroundings. Whilst details surrounding the production remain under wraps, Harewood House continues to prove why it is one of the region's most sought-after filming locations, adding yet another Yorkshire landmark to the growing list of local sites appearing on screen.

In addition to the mysterious production at Leeds’s ‘Kerla Canteen’, Stanley Tucci has been spotted filming around York City Centre, walking around the beautiful York Minster with camera and crew. Stanley, who has been in the world of Hollywood for over two decades and is best known for his roles in The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and The Hunger Games (2012) has been filming a new food and cultural diversity series with National Geographic. Tucci even dined at local York restaurant ‘Rustique’, booking weeks in advance to try out the French restaurant. Perhaps Stanley should try the classic shambles food market for the true York experience.

York, Leeds and surrounding areas have been a real hotspot so far this year for film and TV productions as we continue to see productions in the North increasing with each year that passes. Yes, the road closures, diversions, and parking wars can be a pain, but I’d say it’s pretty worth it to bring slithers of the North and its beautiful locations to our screens.


We are excited to see what other productions York, Leeds and surrounding areas are yet to accommodate in 2026 and hopefully in the years to come.

Author

Megan Stokoe