Elstree Studios, one of the U.K.’s most iconic film and television campuses, is getting a 21st-century upgrade—courtesy of a heavyweight partnership with global studio operator The MBS Group.

Announced as part of Elstree’s centenary celebration, the deal will see MBS take over management of the storied site, aiming to modernize its operations while preserving its historic legacy. The collaboration is poised to reposition Elstree as a global production powerhouse, with a fresh focus on innovation, community engagement, and international market relevance.

“Elstree Studios is where Britain’s Hollywood story began and where its future continues to unfold,” said Councillor Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and Chair of the Elstree Film Studios Board. “This new collaboration with MBS unites two iconic studio companies to safeguard Elstree’s place as a home for both local and global content creators—and as a treasured public asset with enduring impact upon the Hertsmere community.”

Elstree’s latest chapter comes at a moment of both reflection and renewal. Since opening in 1925, the studio has hosted a who’s-who of cinematic history—from Star Wars to Indiana Jones, The Shining to The Crown. Now, as global demand for production space accelerates, Elstree is betting on the future with one of the most prolific operators in the business.

MBS Group’s network includes more than 650 facilities across key production markets worldwide, among them Manhattan Beach Studios (home to James Cameron’s Avatar franchise), Amazon’s Culver Studios, Netflix’s Raleigh Studios Hollywood, Silvercup Studios in New York, Vancouver Film Studios, and Ardmore Studios in Ireland. In the U.K., MBS already operates Eastbrook Studios London and played a critical role in establishing Netflix’s hub at Shepperton.

“First as British International Pictures, then as Warner Bros-ABPC and EMI-MGM, the Elstree Studios campus has been a cornerstone of global cinematic history,” said Jason Hariton, MBS Group’s Chief Studio and Real Estate Officer. “We are extremely grateful to Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Rebecca Hawkes and Hertsmere Borough Council for entrusting us to help propel Elstree into its second century.”

Hariton, who previously served as Netflix’s global head of real estate and production operations, brings a track record of building long-term studio ecosystems for streamers and content giants across the U.K. and North America. Under his tenure, The Crown—a flagship Netflix series—was based at Elstree.

Rebecca Hawkes, Head of Studios at Elstree, emphasized the transformational nature of the partnership. “This marks an exciting chapter for Elstree Studios and firmly puts us in the global arena,” she said. “Our shared aim is to create a legacy that honours our roots, serves the local community, and embraces the future.”

The announcement lands at a time when the U.K. studio sector is seeing major investment from international players, drawn by the country’s robust talent pool, incentives, and cultural cachet. Elstree, with MBS at the helm, is now well-positioned to remain not just a symbol of Britain’s film history, but a vital part of its production future.