Elstree Film Studios hosted replica Globe Theatre for blockbuster movie
Elstree studios were used to film Hamnet
Last updated 23rd Jan 2026
A full scale replica of the Globe Theatre was built at Elstree Film Studios and used to shoot blockbuster hit Hamnet, Hertsmere Borough Council’s leader has said.
The film racked up awards at this month’s Golden Globes, winning Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actress for its lead, Jessie Buckley.
Cllr Jeremy Newmark (Lab) confirmed that the council-owned studios were used to film Hamnet and also announced that Hertsmere is looking at creating a ‘screen corridor’ with Liverpool.
Ahead of a council meeting on Wednesday (January 21), he said Hamnet – which tells the story of William Shakespeare’s family life – was “an epic story celebrating the life of probably one of the greatest Brits who ever lived”.
Cllr Newmark said the backlot at Elstree Film Studios was used to set up the replica Globe, and added that the council had worked with Universal to allow local schools into the replica Globe for “two days of educational programming”.
He continued: “Other major Elstree productions will hit the big (and small) screens later in the year, including a major Amazon films production and an increased number of daytime TV shows as a consequence of reopening stages seven, eight and nine, and extending the footprint of the BBC on the site.”
Responding to a question from Cllr Parveen Rani (Lab), Cllr Newmark also announced that Hertsmere Borough Council has “started talks” with Liverpool City Council about creating a ‘screen corridor’ to “enable seamless, friction-free collaboration”.
Cllr Newmark said: “In Liverpool, they don’t have studios, but they have desirable locations and a strong filming industry. Here, we have studios, but we don’t have the variety of locations that they have in Liverpool.
“We feel that a collaboration of that nature would be good for our local economy, good for our screen sector, and great for the country.”
Hertsmere is also home to Sky Studios Elstree, while the new Fairbanks Studios were recently granted planning permission to be built on part of the former BBC Elstree Studios site.
Another work-in-progress for the borough council is an Immersive Experience looking at the history of filming in the area. Funding worth £2m from the council has been agreed, and it is hoped that, when built, the Experience will attract tourists to the area.