Scotland: Outlander TV Show Brings 200 Jobs Jul 19th 2013, 21:42
Around 200 British jobs will be created with the filming of a new American science fiction television series in Scotland.
The US cable network Starz and Sony Pictures Television have chosen the country as the location for Outlander, a new show about a time-travelling couple.
The production will make use of the UK Government's new tax breaks for high-end television, with Chancellor George Osborne saying he was "delighted" the programme would be filmed in Scotland.
"We want Britain to be the best place in the world to make films and TV", the Chancellor said.
Outlander is based on a series of novels by Diana Gabaldon which tell the story of Claire and James Fraser, a couple who time travel between 18th and 20th century Scotland.
It will be set in Scotland, with the production company planning to build a new television studio and production base near Glasgow.
It is estimated the series will employ a local crew of around 200, while an estimated 2,400 supporting roles are expected to be cast from within Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Scottish actor Sam Heughan, who studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and who has starred in the TV show Doctors, has already been cast in the lead role.
The UK Government announced in 2012 that film tax reliefs would be extended to high-end television industries, animation and, subject to state aid approval, video games.
Tax relief for film has already supported more than 1,100 productions between 2007 and 2012.
Mr Osborne said: "I am delighted that Outlander will be filmed in Scotland, and welcome the extra investment that will be made to the Scottish television industry. I hope that this series will make the most of the stunning landscape and the talented actors, crew and facilities that Scotland has to offer.
"This is an exciting development for television in Scotland and shows the clear benefit of the UK's high-end TV tax credits."
YOUR COMMENT
