Pinewood Studios shuts its telly studios

The TV studios where comedies including Taskmaster, Red Dwarf, Inside No 9 and Would I Lie To You are shot are to close next year.

Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire will instead focus only on movies, such as the James Bond and Marvel franchises that have previously been short there.

In a statement the site's owners said: ‘Following a review, during 2025 we are planning to close our TV department which services the light entertainment TV market. 

‘This does not affect TV shows already booked for 2024 and 2025, nor does it affect any other film or TV productions at Pinewood’s sites. We have started a consultation process with colleagues who are affected.

‘We are very proud of the work the TV team has delivered over the years, having hosted many major titles for the UK’s broadcasters.’

Pinewood was originally opened by  J. Arthur Rank in the 1930s and has been home to the Carry On, Norman Wisdom and Doctor comedy film franchises as well as 007 since the very first film, Dr No, in 1962.

Other comedy and entertainment shows shot there include After Life, Not Going Out, W1A, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Frankie Boyle's New World Order, The Mash Report, Murder In Successville, W1A and James Acaster and Josh Widdecombe’s Hypothetical.

In 2019, Disney agreed to lease 20 of Pinewood’s stage, months after Netflix signed a  similar deal at a the company’s sister site, Shepperton Studios.

Published: 2 Oct 2024