‘Wednesday’ Season 2 to Make History as Biggest Production Filmed in Ireland
The Irish film and TV industry is abuzz with excitement as the second season of the popular Netflix show “Wednesday” has commenced filming in Ireland. The series, produced by MGM Television, gained immense popularity in 2023, with its first season garnering over 250 million views and clinching four Emmy awards. The decision to shift production to County Wicklow in Ireland for the upcoming season was announced towards the end of last year.
For Screen Ireland, a key player in attracting major film and TV productions to the country, hosting “Wednesday” marks a significant milestone. Since its re-launch in 1993 as the Irish Film Board, Screen Ireland has facilitated the filming of numerous blockbuster projects, including the iconic “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The arrival of “Wednesday” is hailed as the “largest production to ever film in Ireland” in terms of production expenditure.
To commemorate this milestone, Ireland’s Prime Minister, Taoiseach Simon Harris, paid a visit to the set, where he met with series director Tim Burton, showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and various Irish creatives involved in the production. Expressing his delight, Harris emphasized the economic benefits, job creation, promotion of creative talents, and global exposure that filming in Ireland brings.
Netflix’s VP Production EMEA, Anna Mallett, highlighted the company’s substantial investments in Irish productions, citing projects like “The Siege of Jadotville,” “The Wonder,” “Bodkin,” and “Vikings: Valhalla.” Apart from “Wednesday,” Netflix is set to film Marian Keyes’ “Grown Ups” and Lisa McGee’s “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
MGM Television’s Lindsay Sloane praised Ireland as a longstanding home for their productions, from the original “Vikings” series to the current “Wednesday.” Sloane commended the country’s top-notch resources and skilled professionals who contribute to bringing their productions to life.
In a strategic move to further boost the film and TV industry, Ireland recently enhanced its Section 481 tax incentive, raising the cap on eligible expenditure per project and extending the credit period. This move has attracted major Hollywood productions like Universal’s “Abigail” and Warner Bros.’ “The Watchers” to shoot in Ireland, solidifying the country’s position as a prime filming location for international projects.
