Andy Watson

The independently funded rural thriller MacDonald is being filmed across County Durham and Northumberland by Newcastle-based House 54. Written, directed and produced by Daniel Patrick Vaughan, the film follows a farming family under severe economic pressure and features Isabella Sermon, Jonas Armstrong, Nick Moran and Bill Fellows. Around 80% of its cast and crew are from the North East, highlighting both the region’s growing film industry and the continuing shortage of local employment opportunities. Filming will continue for a month before post-production, with plans to submit the completed film to festivals.

Newcastle-based House 54 is filming MacDonald, an independently funded rural thriller about a financially pressured farming family, across County Durham and Northumberland. The film stars Isabella Sermon alongside Jonas Armstrong, Nick Moran and Bill Fellows, and marks cinematographer Daniel Patrick Vaughan’s directorial debut. Around 80% of the cast and crew are from the North East, highlighting regional growth supported by the North East Production Fund, although local workers say more jobs are needed. Filming is scheduled to last a month before post-production and potential festival submissions.

Volunteers cleaning beaches in north-east England after millions of plastic nurdles spilled following a collision at the Port of Tyne met chief executive Matt Beeton to discuss the next steps. Campaigners and local residents criticized the port for delaying its response and failing to prevent further pellets from reaching the sea, while the port said it had initially prioritized removing a collapsed crane and damaged containers. The port pledged to work with community volunteers after salvage operations removed containers still holding several tonnes of nurdles.

A fire broke out at Crowther industrial estate in Washington, near Sunderland, with flames, heavy smoke and reports of explosions. Five fire engines attended, while ambulance and police teams supported the response and established a cordon. The cause of the fire and extent of the damage were not yet known, and residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed.