Longcross Film Studios is a film and television production facility in Longcross, Surrey, approximately west of central London. Built on the site of the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment, the studio began operations in 2006.[1]
The studio features four main sound stages ranging from 13000to, eight "meganova" sound stages, 200 acres of backlot, a two-and-a-quarter mile test track, and an off-road course.[2] [3] [4]
In 2021, Netflix signed a long-term lease deal with Aviva Investors to expand operations and invest in Longcross Studios.[5]
The studios are built on the site of a 150-year-old manor house[6] in Chobham Common. From 1942 to 2005 the site was used by Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment for the production and testing of military vehicles and innovations such as Chobham Armour.[7]
In 2005, the site was purchased by construction company Crest Nicholson and asset management company Aviva Investors.[8] Longcross Studios began operations the following year and has since hosted a wide range of film and television productions, including the James Bond film Skyfall (2012), ITV crime drama Broadchurch (2013-17), and the Marvel Studios production Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness (2022).
The rise of streaming services such as Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime and the increased demand for original content has led to a spike in demand for production real estate and sound stages.[9] In order to respond to the demand, Longcross Studios has built a new type of sound stages with Serious Stages, a concert stage and temporary building construction company. The "meganova" stages are built to purpose and can be built in three months versus 12–18 months of traditional sound stages.[10] A number of productions are already taking advantage of the new stages, including the upcoming Mission Impossible films.[11]
In 2021, Netflix and Aviva Investors signed a deal to expand operations and invest in stages and facilities at Longcross Studios. Aviva Investors also acquired the remaining £45 million ($61.5m) stake from Crest Nicholson.[3]