Steven Knight, the creator of the television series "Peaky Blinders," expressed enthusiasm following the designation of the West Midlands as an official production hub by the British Film Commission (BFC). The announcement, made on August 3, 2026, officially recognized Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands region as the UK’s eighth major center for high-end film and television production.

Knight, who also established Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham, described the recognition as a significant milestone for the region’s creative industry. “We are at the beginning of a journey, and we’ve got off to a great start,” he said, highlighting the area’s growing role in the production landscape.

The BFC emphasized the region’s capacity to support large-scale and high-profile projects, citing the area's infrastructure and talent pool as key factors in the decision. Adrian Wootton, chief executive of the British Film Commission, called the designation a “major win for the region’s creative community,” underscoring the anticipated economic and cultural benefits.

The West Midlands now joins seven other designated production hubs across the UK, a status that aims to strengthen local film and television industries by fostering investment, encouraging development, and creating job opportunities. This recognition is expected to attract further high-end productions to Birmingham, supporting wider regional growth.

The British Film Commission’s initiative reflects a broader effort to decentralize the UK’s media production landscape, traditionally concentrated in London and the South East, by empowering other regions with dedicated support and resources.

As production activity continues to increase, stakeholders in the West Midlands anticipate continued expansion of facilities and skilled workforce development, bolstering the region’s position as a national leader in creative media production.