Thriller Jackdaw showcases North East as location

“Thriller Jackdaw highlights the North East as a filming location. The debut film of director Jamie Childs, shot in County Durham, showcases the scenic beauty of the region.”

Jackdaw is the debut of County Durham filmmaker Jamie Childs and was shot in the North East.

Jamie Childs, a filmmaker from County Durham, marks his debut with “Jackdaw,” a film close to his North East roots, both written and directed by him.

Speaking about his project, he highlighted the untapped potential of the landscape, expressing his desire to bring a Hollywood cinema style to the region. He aimed to showcase the area’s versatility beyond the familiar “kitchen sink dramas.”

“Jackdaw” follows army veteran Jack Dawson as he returns home to care for his brother following their mother’s passing. What appears to be a straightforward job takes a drastic turn when betrayal ensues, plunging Jack into an adrenaline-fueled ordeal after his brother gets kidnapped.

The film features renowned actors such as Oliver Jackson-Cohen, known for his roles in “The Invisible Man” and “The Haunting of Hill House,” alongside Jenna Coleman from “Victoria” and “Doctor Who,” and Thomas Turgoose from “This is England” and “The Gallows Pole.”

While action forms the core of the film, Childs aimed to infuse it with “heart and humor,” drawing from North East traditions and humor.

He mentioned, “This essence might be truly appreciated by those from the region, yet it resonates universally.”

“There’s a unique vigor here, a sort of Viking spirit, which Jackdaw embodies,” he explained.

“My upbringing reflects this energy. All the characters, though fictional, are inspired by individuals I’ve encountered and scenarios I’ve experienced. I aimed to fictionalize these elements, borrowing the finest aspects of North East culture that shaped me. The goal was to craft an entertaining action thriller that captures the essence for those unfamiliar with this region.”

Childs is renowned for his contributions to TV fantasy dramas like Willow, The Sandman, His Dark Materials, and his work on Doctor Who and Vera.

Originally from Shotton Colliery, despite his frequent filming engagements elsewhere, he regularly returns to the North East to visit family.

The view of the Hartlepool Headland from his home served as the inspiration for the storyline, offering an “incredible backdrop,” as described by Childs.

He recounted, “The entire coastline came into view. Seal Sands, with its oil refineries, appeared almost cinematic, especially at night when it’s aglow like a vibrant Christmas scene. Interestingly, Ridley Scott drew inspiration from this very landscape for the depiction of Los Angeles in the first Bladerunner, despite never actually filming there.”

“I envisioned utilizing these locations as a backdrop, capitalizing on their innate cinematic allure without incurring additional costs. It’s like gaining exceptional production value for free. By strategically selecting these coastal spots, our sequences were elevated by their remarkable backdrop.”

He expressed hope that other filmmakers would find inspiration in the North East’s potential as a filming location.

Jackdaw became the inaugural project to receive partial funding from the North East Screen Industries Partnership, established to draw film and TV productions to the area.

Childs highlighted the substantial logistical and financial support they received, enabling the film’s completion within a swift nine months—something he believed wouldn’t have been achievable otherwise.

The film, backed by Vertigo Releasing, secured £300,000 from the fund overseen by North East Screen.

The Northern Studios in Hartlepool served as the primary base for this production—a pioneering utilization of the newly-established facility, according to Nina Yoxall, the head of studios.

Occupying the entire premises, the production team set up prop stores, costume departments, art studios, camera technology areas, and casting departments, resulting in a vibrant, around-the-clock atmosphere.

Nina Yoxall enthusiastically described the experience as “fantastic,” emphasizing the extensive involvement of North East-based crew and talent, both on-screen and behind the scenes. She expressed delight in accommodating such a diverse array of talents and aims to continue fostering similar collaborations in the future.

Childs is enthusiastic about the prospect of using the North East as a setting for his upcoming projects. He expressed his excitement by stating, “The success of this film has been remarkable. American producers who’ve seen it have already inquired if similar productions could be carried out in that region. They’re interested in the possibility of shutting down a city or town on a larger scale for an American-centric, fish-out-of-water storyline. I’m currently developing concepts along those lines. The aim is to potentially bring in a prominent ’90s A-list actor, though I won’t disclose specific names, and set a story right here in the North East.”