Newcastle is the place to be seen - and it appears film companies are of the same opinion.
The city has been filmed in various programmes over recent weeks, attracting hit TV shows and film crews.
Cameras have been spotted across the city as TOWIE stars, Ken Loach’s new film, Vera and a Christmas advert crew have chosen to descend on Geordie soil.
And bosses at NE1 Ltd say it’s great that Tyneside is being put under the microscope.
Stephen Patterson, director of communications of NE1 Ltd, said: “We think we have an outstanding city centre and it is so encouraging to see the city getting the recognition it deserves with film companies from around the world.
“It is also great to see the iconic Quayside on the BBC One idents. We are a fantastic city and deserve the recognition.”
Essex meets Newcastle
Fans of The Only Way is Essex were surprised this week to see the cast filming for the current hit ITV2 series.
And if you were out last Monday night you might have spotted stars of the show like Diags, Amber Turner, Gatsby, Dan Edgar and Miles Barnett partying in Bijoux.
On Tuesday morning, Bijoux tweeted: “We loved having the cast of OnlyWayIsEssex last night! How gorgeous are they all !! come back soon!”
Jon Clark, Chris Clark and Bobby Norris took a train from London to Newcastle to join the filming early on Tuesday and were spotted outside Wagamama in Old Eldon Square, with a few fans hurrying over to grab a selfie.
Courtney Green, Shelby Tribble and Clelia Theodorou have also been pictured hanging out near Grey’s Monument.
And to top all that, Geordies were asked to be part of the filming after an appeal was put out on Twitter for locals to star as extras.
Cameras by the Tyne
Scores of cast and crew members - along with multiple cameras - were also spotted on the banks of the River Tyne last Monday.
New York-based production company Moxie Pictures was behind the filming.
While the firm was unable to comment, crew members stated the shoot was for a “big Christmas advert”.
It isn’t known who the advert was for, although rumours are swirling it may be for M&S.
The award-winning firm has an impressive CV having been involved in Hollywood productions as well as the Oscars.
It has links to Netflix, MTV and HBO and has worked with directors including Edgar Wright and Richard Ayoade.
Award-winning director in town
Then we had camera crews pictured in the city centre outside Newcastle Labour Club for Ken Loach’s new film.
The Palme d’Or winner returned to the North East with cast and crew following the hugely successful I, Daniel Blake for his upcoming drama Sorry We Missed You.
Filming on an open set took place at Grey’s Monument on September 17, and crews returned to the city centre to shoot scenes on Wednesday.
Loach’s new film will again focus upon social issues such as poverty, life’s struggles and basic human rights.
Sorry We Missed You will tell the story of a family man who risks splashing out on a white van in a franchise idea.
Loach has previously told how the positive experience of making I, Daniel Blake in and around Newcastle in 2015 was one of the reasons for wanting to come back to the region.
Filming is expected to continue throughout the North East until late October ahead of an expected UK release date in 2019.
A House Through Time
Also this week the filming of a house behind Westgate Road’s motorbike shops was brought into the limelight when a plaque was unveiled on Wednesday recognising its inhabitant’s achievements.
The home in Ravensworth Terrace will be the subject of the second series of BBC’s A House Through Time, filmed by historian David Olusoga.
The social history show traces the stories of a house’s inhabitants through the ages.
Famed marine biologist Joshua Alder lived at 5 Ravensworth Terrace between 1841 and 1857. The Geordie scientist gained international acclaim at a time when natural science was becoming an established field of research.
And the show is expected to be broadcast next year.
A familiar face
Last month DCI Vera Stanhope was on the beat once again - this time solving crime on the banks of the River Tyne.
Film crews for the latest series of the popular ITV drama were spotted on Newcastle Quayside.
Actress Brenda Blethyn donned her famous green mac for several takes of a scene filmed in the shadow of the Millennium Bridge.
Crowds gathered to watch the filming and were ushered to remain quiet and out of shot in between takes.
The filming came just days after crews were pictured on Amen Corner outside Newcastle’s St Nicholas Cathedral.
Based on novels by Ann Cleeves and starring staff from the fictional Northumberland and City Police, the latest series is not expected to hit our screens until 2019.
North East in focus
Over the last few months scenes of the North East are being featured between the programmes on BBC One.
Dog walkers Dachshunds North East UK and County Durham swing dancers Lindy Jazz star in the short clips known as idents.
Nine sausage dogs and their owners filmed a short 30-second segment at Newcastle’s Quayside Seaside.
While Lindy Jazz strutted their stuff at St Cuthbert’s Centre in Crook.
Both idents have been shown to millions of viewers across the country.
