Producer hopes more film-makers will come to Norfolk

Emma Thompson was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande

A film producer who brought award-winning actress Emma Thompson to Norfolk says she hopes other movie producers will see the benefits of filming in the county.

Debbie Gray, who has lived in the county for more than two decades, used Norwich as a location for Good Luck To You, Leo Grande and housed cast and crew in hotels across the city during the Covid lockdown.

Norwich Screen recently signed a two-year, £90,000 deal with Norfolk County Council to represent the county as its official film office.

Gray said: "Hopefully other producers will see the benefits of coming to Norfolk to film."

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said cast and crew were living and working in their "bubbles" during the pandemic restrictions.

Thompson was nominated for a Bafta for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2023 film awards, but lost out to Cate Blanchett.

Gray said: "There is a real push to do more filming in the nations and regions.

"There's still a way to go; it is more of a challenge to set stuff up outside of London... I think we have a real opportunity here with Norfolk Screen to push out."

She said she hoped to bring two more productions to the region and said "this is hopefully the beginning".

"Bringing Leo Grande to Norfolk was a great achievement for me; hopefully other producers will see the benefits of coming to Norfolk to film," she said.

Norfolk has also been used as a filming location for The Girl On The Train, Yesterday and The Avengers.

Claire Chapman, managing director of Norfolk Screen, said the "phenomenal" assets Norfolk has for filmmaking often seemed to be "kept secret".

"We so very much want to promote the county the best we can; we've got some amazing landscapes, some fantastic iconic buildings, stunning coastlines," she said.