'28 Years Later' puts the North East on the film map

Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, the eagerly awaited sequel to 28 Days Later, brought the North East of England into the cinematic spotlight this June. Filmed across the region’s beautiful landscapes and celebrated with a ‘black carpet’ gala at Newcastle’s beloved Tyneside Cinema, the film has made a profound impact by generating opportunities and recognition for a region often overlooked by the film industry.

Over 80% of 28 Years Later was filmed across Northumberland, including locations like Holy Island, Hexham, Rothbury, and Newcastle. Boyle’s connection to the North East is not new, having previously filmed Millions (2004) in Newcastle. He has praised the region as both “magic” and “cinematic,” emphasising its gritty, authentic landscapes that has set the film apart from many modern productions reliant on green screens and CGI. 

To support the release, VisitBritain and Destination North East England launched a creative tourism campaign, projecting the film’s biohazard symbol onto landmarks such as Penshaw Monument and Raby Castle, helping to support the region’s goal to grow the visitor economy to £10 billion by 2034.

The local impact of 28 Years Later was further emphasised at the black-carpet gala screening held at Tyneside Cinema the day before the world premiere in Leicester Square. Organised by North East Screen in partnership with Sony, the North East Combined Authority, Destination North East England, and Tyneside Cinema, the event celebrated the local film community alongside cast and crew. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness highlighted the gala as one of the region’s “biggest film events in recent years”, emphasising its global reach and the growing recognition of the North East in the film industry. The event marked a significant milestone for Tyneside Cinema, reinforcing its status as the heart of North East cinema and ability to host major productions that bring valuable jobs and opportunities to local communities.

Beyond its artistic impact, 28 Years Later delivered a significant economic boost to the region, creating around 70 jobs including crew, acting roles, hospitality, and logistics. This underlines the North East’s talent pool and has hopefully raised the profile of the North East as a competitive and attractive location for future film projects.

The success of 28 Years Later has also paved the way for the sequel, 28 Years Later: Bone Temple, which was filmed back-to-back and is scheduled for release in January 2026. Danny Boyle confirmed the North East would continue to play a key role in the franchise, promising more stories set against the region’s landscapes.