In an expansion move, Amazon Prime Video has acquired the historic Bray Film Studios, where “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is filmed, strengthening its presence in the UK film and TV industry. Financial details are yet to be disclosed.
The second season of the Russo Brothers’ “Citadel” series will be the first Amazon production to roll cameras at Bray under the new ownership, starting in September. Initially, Amazon MGM Studios was listed as the acquirer, but this was later changed to Prime Video.
Located in Berkshire, approximately 26 miles from Central London, Bray Film Studios will now serve as a key production site for Amazon, complementing its existing facilities at Shepperton Studios. The acquisition includes 53,600 square feet of sound stage space across five stages, 77,400 square feet of workshops, 39,400 square feet of office space, 182,900 square feet of backlot, and 156,000 square feet of parking space.
Prime Video has already utilized Bray for the second season of “The Rings of Power,” regarded as the most expensive TV show ever made. Other notable productions filmed at the studio include “Rocketman,” “Dracula,” and “The King’s Man.”
“With Bray as our creative home in the UK, we are committed to deepening our relationships with the UK creative community, which is rich with world-class storytellers and creative talent of all kinds,” said Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
“The acquisition of a studio with such a storied heritage not only empowers us to produce more film and television in the UK, but also unveils a wealth of opportunities in the local community with respect to jobs and skills training at all levels of the production process,” he added.
Bray is now one of only two UK sites owned by a U.S. studio, alongside Warner Bros. Discovery’s Leavesden. This acquisition follows Amazon’s multimillion-pound agreement with Pinewood’s Shepperton Studios to lease facilities for the next decade, situating it next to Netflix, which also occupies studio space there. Disney has similarly leased space at Shinfield Studios.
This move comes six months after Amazon warned the British government not to take the country’s status as a prime production hub for granted, indicating that U.S. studios could relocate productions if the UK became less competitive. The UK has seen a surge in demand for studio space, benefiting from local tax credits and a wealth of talent. Recent developments include James Corden’s Fulwell 73 opening a £450M film and TV studio in the northeast of England and other new sites in London, Scotland, and Manchester. Meanwhile, a proposed $950M James Cameron-backed studio in Buckinghamshire was recently denied planning permission.
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