Lights flicker and cameras whir. You are standing at the BBC Elstree Centre a hub of television production. This complex has a rich history. It started as a film studio in 1914. Later, in 1960, it transformed into a TV studio.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Borehamwood in 1914. The Neptune Film Company opens the first studio here. It was quite innovative for its time. It had a single windowless stage. This was England’s first dark stage. The studio used a gas-powered generator for electricity. Most early films relied on natural light in glass-roof studios. Borehamwood was chosen for a good reason. It had a reliable train service to London. Yet it was far enough away from London’s thick fogs.
Production paused in 1917. The Ideal Film Company bought the studios. They used the site until 1924. Then in 1928, Ludwig Blattner purchased the studios. He connected them to the electricity mains. He also introduced a German sound recording system.
Joe Rock Productions leased the Blattner Studios in 1934. Two years later, they bought the site. It was renamed Rock Studios. Rock Productions built four new large stages. They began making films. This included Michael Powell’s drama The Edge of the World in 1937.
Between 1939 and 1948, British National Films Company owned the studios. However, the British government used a large part of the studio for war work. In 1953, Douglas Fairbanks Junior bought the studios. He intended to use them mainly for television production. He renamed them National Studios. But they were also known as Fairbanks Studios. Early productions included Douglas Fairbanks Presents. Some episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents were also filmed here.
In May 1958, Lew Grade’s Associated Television ATV bought the studios. ATV initially planned to produce ITC filmed series here. The Adventures of William Tell was produced here. ATV’s existing studios could not meet their needs. ATV re-equipped the centre as an electronic television complex. Most of ATV’s live and video-taped shows were made here. Series like The Saint, Gideon’s Way and The Prisoner were filmed elsewhere.
After 1970, programs such as Crossroads were made at the new Birmingham studios. Larger-scale productions continued at Elstree. During ATV’s time, Studios A and B were used for schools TV and sitcoms. Studio C was a drama studio. Studio D had permanent audience seating. It was used for light entertainment programs. These included The Muppet Show and the ATV Morecambe and Wise series.
ATV became Central Independent Television in 1982. One condition was that ATV must leave its London facilities. It had to focus on the English Midlands. Central TV owned the complex for the last 18 months of its use as an ITV studio. The studios remained in operation until July 1983. Central TV’s final production was an episode of Family Fortunes.
In 1984, the BBC bought the Elstree site. They wanted to produce their new soap opera EastEnders. But the BBC did not buy the equipment. Some say Central TV technicians intentionally damaged the equipment. Others say it was too old to be worth anything. The BBC repaired what they could. They even used spare parts from BBC equipment.
The BBC Elstree Centre has been home to many iconic shows. These include EastEnders and Holby City until December 2021. After the sale of BBC Television Centre, Elstree’s Studio D was used for large productions. Children in Need and Comic Relief were among them.
BBC Studioworks operated three additional sound stages at the nearby Elstree Studios. By 2024, BBC Studioworks completed a deal with AXA and Oxygen Studios. A large part of the BBC Elstree site was sold for redevelopment.
Today, EastEnders remains at a reduced BBC Elstree site. This is part of a deal to reside there for 25 years. EastEnders left Studio C in July 2024. Studio D closed in December 2024. The election hub moved to BBC New Broadcasting House. BBC Studioworks now controls Stages 5 and 6. They are used by EastEnders as a replacement for Studio C. BBC Studioworks also controls George Lucas Stage 1. It will replace Studio D.
Fairbanks is the oldest surviving building here. It has a distinctive green-tiled roof. It sits next to Studios C and D. Neptune House was built in the 1960s. It has a glass-fronted entrance. It has appeared in Grange Hill and Holby City.
The exterior set for EastEnders’ Albert Square is located here. It was rebuilt in 2013-2014 for high-definition television. It uses mostly real brick. The set was expanded by twenty per cent in 2014. This created a new front lot.
Of the studios on site, all are operated by BBC Studioworks. Studio D was available for hire. The other six are dedicated to EastEnders. There are also smaller studios for Holby City.
The BBC Elstree Centre continues to evolve. It remains a vital part of British television history. It is a place where creativity and innovation thrive.