# Why do productions film and cast in the UK?

> Mainly for the tax credit, the crews and studios, and the actors. In 2025, £5.8 billion of the £6.8 billion spent on film and high-end television production in the UK came from inward investment and co-production, about 85%, according to the BFI. The UK expenditure credit is 34% for film and high-end television.

## How much production is made in the UK?

BFI statistics published on 5 February 2026 put total film and high-end television production spend in the UK in 2025 at £6.8 billion. Of that, £5.8 billion came from inward investment and co-production.

## What does the UK offer?

- **A national credit.** 34% for film and high-end television, 39% for children's and animated work, and 53% for independent films with core expenditure up to £23.5 million. See [how casting relates to UK tax relief](https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/does-casting-british-actors-help-uk-tax-relief).
- **A deep pool of actors.** British and Irish actors, across a wide range of regional voices.
- **One casting system.** Agents, Spotlight and Equity cover the whole country, so a search from London reaches Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions. See [how casting works in the UK](https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/how-does-casting-work-in-the-uk).
- **Routes for actors from overseas.** They can work in the UK on a [Creative Worker visa or the three-month concession](https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/can-overseas-actors-work-in-the-uk).

## What has CW Casting cast for streamers and studios?

13 productions, for Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, PBS, Acorn TV and Focus Features. The list is under [which streamers and studios Catherine Willis has cast for](https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/which-streamers-and-studios-has-catherine-willis-cast-for).

## Sources

- [BFI official statistics 2025, published 5 February 2026](https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/official-bfi-statistics-2025)
- [BFI: about the UK creative industry expenditure credits](https://www.bfi.org.uk/apply-british-certification-expenditure-credits/about-uk-creative-industry-expenditure-credits)

This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change. Check the sources and take professional advice for your production.

Last checked: 9 October 2026. Page: https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/why-do-productions-film-and-cast-in-the-uk