FILM and television productions spent more than £6-million in Somerset last year, according to Screen Somerset estimates.

The figures come ahead of the release of two more major productions that have shot in Somerset locations: Masters of the Universe and season two of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

Masters of the Universe, set on planet Eternia, was filmed at Wells Cathedral and Wookey Hole Caves last summer and is due for UK release on June 3. Season two of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is due for release on Netflix and the BBC on May 27, following the success of season one in 2024.

They are among feature films and TV shows filmed in the county last year with the help of Screen Somerset, bringing an estimated £6.6-million to the county in 2025/26, much of it in the hotel and hospitality sector.

Screen Somerset is the Somerset Council film office, supported last year by funding from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It encourages and celebrates filming in the county in recognition of the economic and wider benefits filming can bring.

Other exciting projects recently assisted by Screen Somerset include Dawn French’s BBC comedy series Can You Keep A Secret, the three-part Netflix series Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, Bafta-nominated prison drama Wasteman, hit comedy feature film Mother’s Pride and Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock series on Prime Video.

As well as the money spent in the local economy while productions are in the county, appearing on screen can be a major boost for employment and local tourism.

“Somerset has so much to offer the screen industry,” said Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s lead member for economic development planning and assets. “We have the locations, Bristol’s great studios on our doorstep and lots of local talent.

“As well as the spend that comes when crews are in the county, appearing on screen can have benefits for the visitor economy. You only have to look at the continued impact of Hot Fuzz in Wells to see how powerful it can be.”

Screen Somerset helps filmmakers find locations and helps shoots run smoothly so they are keen to come back. The project also proactively promotes the county to regional, national and international location managers, working closely with Creative England’s Filming in England Partnership for promoting filming outside London.

In 2024/25 TV and feature film spend across the South West region was estimated at £39.5-million.

Production liaison manager for the South West region at Creative England’s Filming in England, Charlotte Wood, said: “Somerset is perfectly positioned in close proximity to the main production hub of Bristol, with a dedicated point of contact liaising with filmmakers and offering a range of impressive landscapes from Cheddar Gorge, to the historic city of Wells and stunning Exmoor coastline, benefitting from the positive economic contribution filming brings to the local area.

“And the South West as a whole boasts a strong industry network through established studios, film-friendly locations and Film Office provision, providing the perfect backdrop for production activity.”