The TV and film business of technology giant Amazon is moving production of its Lord of the Rings series from New Zealand to the UK.
The firm say the move is part of a plan to expand its production space and consolidate its footprint in the UK.
The events of the multi-million dollar fantasy epic happen thousands of years before JRR Tolkien’s books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
The first season of the currently untitled show has already cost Amazon Studios $465m (£336.5m). A further four seasons are also planned, making it one of the most expensive series in television history.
However, work on season one will complete in New Zealand before production moves to Britain. The dramatic landscapes of New Zealand also featured in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies.
The worldwide debut of the show is scheduled to air on 22 September next year on Amazon’s Prime Video service.
A blow for New Zealand
Vice president and co-head of TV at Amazon Studios Vernon Sanders released a statement announcing the decision. He thanked “the people and the government of New Zealand for their hospitality and dedication and for providing The Lord of the Rings series with an incredible place to begin this epic journey”.
Stuart Nash, economic development minister for New Zealand, is disappointed by the decision. But he remains “enormously proud of the New Zealand screen sector”. He says Amazon Studios’ decision in “no way reflects the capabilities of our local film industry or the talents of the people who work in it”.
Meanwhile, the move is a major boost to the UK’s film and television production industry. It will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to the country.
The UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden welcomes the “very exciting news”. He says it will create “thousands of high quality jobs all across the UK”. The Lord of the Rings television series will also support the nation’s industry.
Thank you for reading Lord of the Rings: Amazon moves production to UK
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