16 productions coming to your screens in 2022 | Made in Liverpool

If you’ve been in Liverpool over the last few years, it’s more than likely you’ve stumbled upon a film set (or a film star!).

The last eighteen months have been Liverpool’s biggest boom for film and TV production – with crews falling over each other to film on location, Liverpool Film Office opening the doors of The Depot, and a recapitalisation of the LCR Production Fund.

Following Netflix’s Stay Close, premiering on New Year’s Eve 2021, we’re taking a look ahead at what’s to come in 2022, with some of the films and shows made in Liverpool, that will be on screens or in cinemas – everywhere.

1. Anne

This is the story of Anne Williams, whose 15 year-old son, Kevin Williams, tragically lost his life in the Hillsborough disaster. Anne, portrayed by award winning actress Maxine Peake and her husband Steve Williams, portrayed by Stephen Walters, are traumatised, grief-stricken – and angry. Following an inquest and shocking verdict, Anne begins her lifelong campaign for justice with the Hillsborough Family Support Group.

The four-part miniseries has been developed with the support of Williams’ daughter, Sara and is written by Liverpool screenwriter Kevin Sampson, author of the book Hillsborough Voices – who attended the 1989 match as a fan. The writer interviewed Williams on several occasions for his book, which depicts the tragic events of the day and what unfolded later.

From an article with Broadcast, Sampson said: “Anne’s is a story of a mother’s love being stronger than any opponent or obstacle. She refused to lie down, and it’s an honour that her family has entrusted us with telling her inspirational story.”

Anne is produced by acclaimed Line of Duty company, World Productions.

Episodes: 4 episodes
Release date: Out now
Where to watch: Watch now on ITV Hub

 

2. The Responder

Another Scouse drama, this time with Marvel, Hobbit and Sherlock star, Martin Freeman in the lead role. Written by Liverpudlian and ex-police officer, Tony Schumacher and produced by the makers of The Salisbury Poisonings, Dancing Ledge Productions – The Responder follows Chris, a crisis-stricken, morally compromised, unconventional urgent response officer tackling a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool.

Joined by Adelayo Adedayo, Ian Hart and more, The Responder was filmed across Liverpool City Region with funding and support from the Liverpool Film Office through the LCR Production Fund.

Watch the first look trailer here.

Episodes: 5 episodes
Where to watch: All episodes are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer here.

 

3. Peaky Blinders S6

The global phenomenon that is Peaky Blinders returned to Liverpool for its final series, with the city now having hosted all six series of the BAFTA-winning period crime drama. It’s only fitting that Liverpool legend Stephen Graham (with his own accent no less) joins Cillian Murphy and the star-studded cast before the “story will continue in another form,” with hopes for an epic feature film finale.

Director Anthony Byrne has been teasing fans on social media ahead of a highly-anticipated trailer on New Year’s Day, giving a flavour of what to expect for Cillian Murphy’s character; “If there’s an image that really sums up this final season, it is this. Tommy Shelby. Light and Dark.”

Episodes: 6 episodes
Release date: February 2022
Where to watch: BBC One / BBC iPlayer

 

4. Munich: The Edge of War

George MacKay, running in a war film – so far that’s been a resounding success. In Netflix’s Munich: The Edge of War, you can expect this and much more.

Liverpool doubled for both London and Berlin locations in the backdrop of WWII. The official synopsis for the film reads: Set in the fall of 1938, Hitler prepares to invade Czechoslovakia, and the government of Neville Chamberlain desperately seeks a peaceful solution. A British civil servant and a German diplomat, former classmates, travel to Munich to discuss peace.

Go behind-the-scenes with Guardian photographer, Sarah Lee in a fantastic picture essay during production in Liverpool here.

Watch the trailer here.

Where to watch: Munich: The Edge Of War is available now on Netflix.

 

5. The Ipcress File

The Ipcress File, featuring the iconic British spy, Harry Palmer, once made famous by Michael Caine, is getting a six-part high-end TV adaptation for ITV, with Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders, Gangs of London) taking on the mantle.

From the team that made McMafia, the producers recreated a stylish 60s London and Berlin, in Liverpool City Region with investment and support from Liverpool Film Office’s LCR Production Fund, before production moved to Croatia to film additional scenes in Berlin. The Ipcress File promises high-octane action in an enthralling and atmospheric espionage thriller also starring Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander.

Watch the explosive trailer here.

Episodes: 6 episodes
Release date: March 2022
Where to watch: ITV

 

6. The Batman (Warner Bros/DC Films)

The Batman in Liverpool – what more is there to say? Liverpool is Gotham City – it’s official. Director, Matt Reeves, chose Liverpool because he “wanted it to feel like an American city you’d never been to.”  Using the city’s landmarks; St George’s Hall and Royal Liver Building for their Gothic architecture, production will then add a modern Gotham skyline through CG in post-production – as seen in the (phenomenal) trailer!

Release date: 4 March 2022
Where to watch: In cinemas

 

7. Top Boy S4

One of Britain’s favourite street dramas that enjoyed cult success for two series when it originally aired on Channel 4, before being rescued by Netflix – famously with the help of Canadian rapper, Drake.

Netflix’s second series of the British crime drama, Top Boy arrives in 2022 with the latest series venturing outside of London with some small scenes filmed in Liverpool.

Episodes: 8
Release date: 18 March 2022
Where to watch: Netflix

 

8. Daliland (Pressman Films/Bankside Films)

Filming for Daliland went under the radar, with stars like Sir Ben Kingsley, Ezra Miller and Suki Waterhouse almost going unnoticed – but the film itself will be anything but. Directed by Mary Harron (American Psycho) following the later life of the eccentric Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, and his wife, Gala, who lived in a New York hotel between the 1960s – 70s.

Oscar winner, Kinglsey, is no stranger to inhabiting larger-than-life characters (most recently as a Scouser and absolute legend, Trevor Slattery in Marvel’s Shang Chi), but similarly to Liverpool’s world famous Adelphi Hotel, standing in for New York’s historic St Regis.

Release date:  2022
Where to watch: In cinemas

 

9. The Curse

80’s crime-comedy from the team behind People Just Do Nothing – we’re sold! The Curse is a comedy caper set in London in the early 80’s, following a gang of hopeless small-time crooks who through their own stupidity and poor judgement find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest gold heists in history.

Watch the trailer here.

Episodes: 6
Release date: Sunday 6 February, 10pm
Where to watch: Channel 4 / All4

 

10. The Almond And The Seahorse (Mad As Birds Films)

Made by Wirral’s Mad As Birds Films, The Almond and The Seahorse is a feature film adaptation of the acclaimed stage play. Following an archaeologist and an architect as they fight to re-imagine a future after a traumatic brain injury leaves them adrift from the people they love.

Filmed across Wirral and Liverpool, the movie will see Rebel Wilson taking on her first non-comedy film role.

Release date: TBA
Where to watch: In cinemas

 

11. Funny Woman

One of Variety’s Top British Shows Premiering in 2022, Sky Original adaption of Nick Hornby’s novel ‘Funny Girl’. Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace, The King’s Man) steps into the shoes of charismatic Barbara Parker, a beauty pageant queen turned comedian in this 1960s-set show.

Inspired by her idol Lucille Ball, Parker moves to “Swinging Sixties” London, in a series filled with decadent sets on locations (we know – we’ve seen them!) and struggles to make her mark in the male-dominated world of comedy. Soon, however, she lands a role in an era-defining British comedy series and becomes a surprise hit with audiences.

Episodes: TBA
Release date:  2022
Where to watch: Sky Max / NOW

 

12. Midas Man (Studio POW)

The famed music manager, a figure with a finger on the very pulse of the Swinging Sixties, the ‘fifth Beatle’ – Brian Epstein. Midas Man charts the life of a man who often struggled to find his place in the world. Yet who is today universally recognised as the creator of the blueprint for music artist management.

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (The Queen’s Gambit) plays the lead role, with an ensemble of fab actors playing Scouse (and music) royalty such as The Beatles, Cilla Black, George Martin and Ed Sullivan.

Release date:  2022
Where to watch: In cinemas

 

13. Compulsion

Produced by Liverpool’s own LA Productions (Moving On, Broken, Anthony), Compulsion follows a paramedic who, after a fatal train crash, develops a gambling addition to try to cope with her PTSD but gets heavily into debt with dangerous people.

Leading the cast of Compulsion is Leanne Best (Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Cold Feet) as Jenny, and Anna Chancellor (Pennyworth, The Watch) as Sasha.

Episodes: 4
Release date:  2022
Where to watch: Channel 5

 

14. Rules Of The Game

Maxine Peake back in Liverpool – it’s got to be good! From the makers of Help and Roadkill comes Rules Of The Game. A gripping new thriller about sexual politics in the modern workplace, starring Peake as Sam, a hard-headed manager at a family run business in the North West.

Alison Steadman, Rakhee Thakrar and Susan Wokoma to star alongside Maxine Peake.

Maxine Peake said: “What a glorious cast. Working alongside my fellow sisters each day, with their commitment and understanding towards Ruth Fowler’s script about sexual politics in the workplace, with Jennifer Sheridan directing, has reminded me once again why we need to keep fighting for more women to have a voice in the filmmaking process.”

Episodes: 4
Release date: Out now
Where to watch: BBC One / BBC iPlayer

 

15. Bolan’s Shoes (Buffalo Dragon)

A music-centric movie filmed in Liverpool – what’s not to love? Starring renowned British actor Timothy Spall and versatile Scouse actress Leanne Best, filming took place in Liverpool earlier this year, including a trip to Eric’s on Mathew Street. Bolan’s Shoes features the timeless original music by pioneers of the glam rock movement, Marc Bolan’s T. Rex.

The movie isn’t a biopic of T. Rex, but is set in the band’s ’70s heyday and seems to contain echoes of their story.

Release date:  2022
Where to watch: In cinemas

 

16. Silent Witness XXV

BBC’s landmark crime drama returns for a celebratory 25^th anniversary series, with Brookside legend Amanda Burton returning to the prime time drama, reprising her role as Sam Ryan, for the first time since 2004.

Burton promises “twists and turns” for the latest series, after filming took place on Liverpool’s Pier Head, with the team of forensic pathology experts making an epic entrance to the scenes on our epic waterfront.

Episodes: TBC
Release date:  2022
Where to watch: BBC One / BBC iPlayer

 

Liverpool’s locations are renowned for their versatility, with the city doubling for London, New York, Gotham – even Italy in 2021. But Liverpool is so much more than a backdrop – with Scouse dramas like Time and Help, both some of BBC and Channel 4’s most successful dramas of 2021 (naturally) – it’s an inspiring stage for powerful stories.

With Help’s win of the prestigious Rose d’Or award for drama, beating off competition from global mega-hits Squid Game, It’s a Sin and Mare of Easttown, Executive Producer, Chris Moll sees the city as “on the cusp of a golden era” in television – with potential BAFTA awards in 2022 for Liverpool’s talents on screen and behind the scenes.

We always have a soft spot for Scouse projects – and with at least NINE of sixteen major productions set and filmed in Liverpool, coming out in 2022…could we really already be living in a new golden era of Liverpool television?

We’ll never not be proud of seeing the city on our screens – but hearing Scouse accents; Jodie Comer, Stephen Graham, Leanne Best, Jimmy McGovern, Phil Barantini (and so many more!) making noise at awards season is invigorating.

Can’t wait to dive into some Liverpool-made productions? Check out our Made in Liverpool pages here.