Ever wondered where some of your favorite films and TV shows are made? Welcome to Three Mills Studios. This is a hub for film, television, and theatre production in East London.
Three Mills Studios wasn’t always a creative space. Its history stretches back centuries. The site was once a distillery. Three Mills Island has evidence suggesting mills existed here as early as the 11th century. By the 16th century, these three mills reduced to two. In the 17th century, they distilled alcohol. They became major suppliers to London’s alcohol trade and gin craze.
In 1872, the Nicholson family, gin producers, acquired the site. Distilling stopped after air-raid damage in World War II. However, the site was used for bottling and warehousing.
In the 1980s, things changed. Bow Studios, 3 Mills Island Studios, and Edwin Shirley Productions were established. In the mid-1990s, they merged to become Three Mills Studios.
Today, Three Mills Studios boasts over 75,000 square feet of filming space. This includes 11 filming stages and nine rehearsal rooms. Stage 7 is the largest at 13,483 square feet. Stage 2 is the smallest at 3,219 square feet. Stage 5 is similar in size to the Royal Albert Hall.
Many famous productions have been filmed here at Three Mills Studios. Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs” and “Fantastic Mr Fox” were filmed here. Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” and “Corpse Bride” were also created here. Feature films like “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” were also filmed here. Danny Boyle has shot several films here too. These include “Sunshine”, “Trance”, and “28 Days Later”.
Three Mills Studios has also focused on television shows. “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” and “Luther” are among the credits. Since 2014, BBC’s “MasterChef” has called Three Mills Studios home. The first series of “Big Brother” and “Celebrity Big Brother” were filmed here.
Many music stars have used Three Mills Studios too. Little Mix, Justin Bieber, and Beyoncé have filmed here. English National Opera and the English National Ballet rehearse here. Advertisers like Versace and Adidas have also utilized the space.
Three Mills Studios even housed rehearsals for the 2012 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. This place has a history of reinvention. From tidal mills to gin production to a world-renowned film and TV studio, Three Mills Studios continues to evolve. It is a place where creativity and history meet.