Please note that this website is run on a non-profit basis for educational and research purposes. Images are credited with their respective copyright holders where they are known. You may not copy any image for commercial purposes. Please do not ask me for permission to use any images – that permission is not mine to give. If you are the copyright holder for an image and wish it to be removed, please contact me via the form at the foot of the page and I will of course be happy to do so. Also, if you are the owner of an uncredited image and wish to be named, again please contact me and I’ll happily add that information.
from 2019 – 2029?
Aviva Investors completed a £32.7m development funding agreement in September 2017 to speculatively develop three industrial units at Uxbridge Industrial Park in Ashley Road, West London. The build was completed in October 2018. In August 2019 the press were reporting that they had let the largest unit – UX1 – on a 10 year deal to MBS, the world’s largest operator of film studios. In the UK they manage Elstree, Eastbrook, The Wharf, Cardington, Symmetry and Wardpark. They also supply lighting equipment to Pinewood, Shepperton and Shinfield.
The UX1 building offered over 134,000 sq ft of space and MBS created an undisclosed number of sound stages and support facilities within it. MBS are also providing studio management, lighting and grip gear.
It is understood that Netflix initially signed a one-year sublet for the UX1 studios from MBS. This has since been renewed. It transpired that these facilities would be dedicated to a specific high-budget drama series, with several large sets being built on the stages. This was eventually revealed to be Bridgerton, with publication Drama Quarterly reporting that it took 80 people 4 months to construct the sumptuous sets. Many of the interiors for the series have been filmed here, with exteriors and some interiors shot at various UK locations. However, at least one exterior scene was filmed on a stage – as described in Drama Quarterly, it involved rain that had to be carefully controlled over 3 days’ shooting; the water was specially heated for two days before filming took place. The 9,500 costumes used in the show have also been maintained and stored here, along with a multitude of props.
Four seasons have so far been filmed – the 4th wrapped in June 2025. A fifth season is due to begin principal photography in Spring 2026.
Incidentally, it’s interesting that both the IMDb and Wikipedia state that the United States is the country of origin for Bridgerton. Hmm. With every episode being filmed in the UK and the vast majority of cast and crew being British, it’s an interesting classification. To be fair, the production company Shondaland is American and Chris Van Dusen, the writer and showrunner, is also from the USA so I guess that’s what counts.
