Filmmakers have paid more than £35,000 to Watford Borough Council for filming permissions in 2025, according to a Freedom of Information request. The largest fee came from the BBC drama Babies, which used multiple streets and car parks in January. Other series including Sweetpea and Red Eye also contributed significantly to the total.
In 2025, Watford has emerged as a popular filming location, generating over £35,000 in fees for the borough council, as revealed by a Freedom of Information request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The highest payment was £16,125 from the BBC's six-part drama series Babies, directed by Stefan Golaszewski and starring Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen. Filming took place across various dates in January on streets such as Alexandra Road, Stratford Road, St Albans Road, Bruce Grove, Salisbury Road, and Leavesden Road, as well as King George V car park and Cassiobury Park car park. The series is slated to air later this year.
Another BBC production, California Avenue, featuring Bill Nighy, Erin Doherty, Helena Bonham Carter, and Tom Burke, paid £3,150 to film on Queens Road in October.
Sky's second series of Sweetpea, starring Ella Purnell, contributed £8,600 for shoots at North Watford Cemetery in September and October. Similarly, ITV's second series of Red Eye, with Jing Lusi and Richard Armitage, paid £5,525 for filming on Sussex Road in April and May.
Additional fees were received for ITV's Trigger Point, Sloane Square Films' Vox Populi, and a BBC series hosted by Matt and Emma Willis discussing therapy. These amounts cover filming fees, location fees, parking fees, and other charges.
Watford's mayor, Peter Taylor, highlighted the economic advantages, stating: “Hosting major productions like Sweetpea Season 2, Red Eye Season 2 and Trigger Point not only puts Watford on the map as a prime destination for future film and TV shows but also brings economic benefits to our town.” He added that the industry boosts local businesses and creates jobs, with support from the Hertfordshire Film Office providing a one-stop service for productions.
