North East Screen Supports Local Talent with Exclusive Screening of The Feud
The Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle recently played host to an exclusive screening of the new domestic drama, The Feud, ahead of its transmission on 5. The event was attended by stars Jill Halfpenny and Larry Lamb, along with 5 commissioner Paul Testar, writer Ash Ditta, and members of the North East Production crew.
The six-part series, produced by Newcastle-based Lonesome Pine Productions, was filmed in and around Newcastle last year and features local actor Jill Halfpenny and Rupert Penry-Jones in leading roles. The production was supported by the North East Production Fund, which is administered by North East Screen on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership. This fund has invested £2.5 million into scripted projects so far, highlighting its commitment to boosting the region’s screen industry.
Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director at North East Screen, praised Lonesome Pine Productions as a “great example of a regionally based production company bringing stories of global appeal to the screen.” She added that the company was “delighted to support the series and are looking forward to what comes next.” The production received assistance from North East Screen’s Film Office to find crew, facilities, and locations, as well as the skills team to provide trainees with the opportunity to work on a scripted drama.
Lesley Douglas, Executive Producer and Managing Director of Lonesome Pine, expressed her gratitude for the support provided by North East Screen, stating that “making The Feud in the North East is exactly why we moved Lonesome Pine here.” She praised the crew who worked on the show, saying they were “exceptional and made the filming an absolute joy.” North East Screen has been instrumental in helping Lonesome Pine access the region’s full potential, and Douglas added that they “look forward to working further with North East Screen and playing our part in building the North East’s presence on and off screen.”
Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Scripted, at 5, commended the collaboration between North East Screen and Lonesome Pine Productions, saying it allowed them to “tap into local talent and resources, providing access to the wealth of experience and knowledge in the North East that really brought the series together.” He added that 5 “look forward to working with North East Screen again, and sharing this compelling drama with our audience.”
Jill Halfpenny, who plays lead Emma Barnett in the series, was thrilled to be back in her hometown filming, saying it was a “joy to work in the North East again, being surrounded by local crew and knowing we could all go home to our families at night meant a lot and is something which I hope we can all do more of.” The Feud begins transmission on 5 on Monday, April 14th, at 9pm. The series is a testament to the region’s growing presence in the screen industry, with North East Screen continuing to build a vibrant and sustainable global screen sector in the region.
The North East Production Fund has supported 10 productions to shoot in the region so far, with each production hiring regional crew, actors, and using regional supply chain companies, as well as providing training opportunities. This investment has helped bring jobs and inward investment to the region, solidifying its position as the fastest-growing region in the UK for screen industries.
North East Screen’s support for The Feud is just one example of its commitment to boosting the region’s screen industry. According to Lesley Douglas, the production company was given the opportunity to make The Feud thanks to the support of 5, North East Screen, and Banijay.
The production has provided significant opportunities for regional talent, with Jill Halfpenny expressing her delight at working with a local crew. The Feud’s success demonstrates the positive impact of North East Screen’s investment in the region’s screen industry.
North East Screen’s Film Office provided vital assistance in finding the right crew and locations for The Feud. The production company Lonesome Pine Productions worked closely with North East Screen to bring this compelling drama to life.
The Feud will air on 5, starting Monday, April 14th at 9 pm. North East Screen’s investment in productions like The Feud highlights the organisation’s role in building a thriving screen sector in the North East.
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