Liverpool’s Film Office has announced that ITVX’s comedy show G’wed will return for a second series. The show, written by Danny Kenny and produced by Golden Path Productions, was one of the most successful-ever comedies aired by ITVX and its first season was streamed by over six million viewers. The second series was filmed last summer in Liverpool as part of an investent from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s LCR Production Fund, which was launched by Mayor Steve Rotheram in 2019. The fund has so far invested in 10 high-end TV dramas in North England, including This City Is Ours, Time series 1 and 2 (which won a BAFTA), and Emmy Award-winner The Responder.
The LCR Production Fund is worth £3 million and serves to make the screen sector more accessible, employing and training more people while growing the overall industry ecosystem. As part of this arrangement, the initiative Action!, supported by the film office, offered six trainees the chance to work as assistant directors within the production, as well as in the costume, props, locations, makeup, and sound departments. The Action! initiative is also supported by a £2.3m BFI National Lottery funding.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, expressed joy at the boost that the Liverpool region’s funding provides to the economy, while supporting local talent. The fund supported not just members of the production but also crew and aspiring trainees who took their first steps in film and television under its aegis. Head of the Liverpool Film Office, Lynn Saunders stated her pleasure in supporting the second season of G’wed and recognised the potential of this show to continue entertaining audiences. The Office is eager for the show’s continued run as a representation of the stunning creativity being produced in Liverpool.
Mayor Steve Rotheram believes the fund will continue to nurture North England’s talent and galvanise the creative sector in the region while allowing it to compete with the southern region’s “Hollywood”. He added that the funding accomplishes the dual goal of creating job opportunities and fostering a creative environment that can help drive growth in the local economy. G’wed’s return is an excellent example of the kinds of programming that come to life from such an encouraging environment
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