GEORDIE stars Kevin Whately and Robson Green are returning to the North-East to appear together onscreen for the first time as part of the revival of film and TV production in the region.

They will appear in a one-off Newcastle-set period drama by award-winning Jarrowborn writer Alan Plater.

Joe Maddison’s War is one of three major TV and film projects helping Northern Film and Media bring back production to the region.

The agency has invested almost £1m in film, TV and games projects through a new Content Fund. Those projects should result in a regional spend of about £5m, while creating 36 jobs and safeguarding a further 66.

The axing of Wire In The Blood earlier this year left the region without any network TV shows being made in the region, leaving production workers facing the bleak prospect of leaving the area in search of work.

Now ITV Drama has commissioned two shows to be made in the North-East.

Crime thriller Vera, based on a book by Tyneside crime writer Ann Cleeves, is nearing the end of its shoot in Newcastle and Northumberland.

Brenda Blethyn and Gina McKee star in the two-hour drama.

The other ITV film, Joe Maddison’s War, is set to begin shooting in the North-East in March. Whatley and Green will play a shipyard worker and his friend who volunteer for the Home Guard.

“My family background is strictly Tyneside,” said Plater.

“The earlier generations worked in and around the shipyards, my favourite uncle was in the Home Guard, and my head is still full of family anecdotes from the period.”

Already shooting is the first feature film from Newcastlebased Coastal Productions, Ways To Live Forever.

Based on the award-winning debut novel by Teesside writer Sally Nicholls, it tells the moving story of a boy with leukaemia who wants to live out all his dreams before he dies.

The film stars Greta Scacchhi, Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox and Phyllida Law.

The £2m project is being made by English and Spanish companies.

Executive producer Sandra Jobling said: “Having encouraged the North-East based associate producer Will Nicholson to go to Cannes in May to explore possibilities, a relationship between Spain and the North-East flourished.

Green, with whom she founded Coastal 12 years ago, added: “We’re so excited to show off our region on the international stage. It’s a tribute to the wealth of talent we have in this area.”

The film’s writer and director, Gustavo Ron, described the North-East the perfect setting “with its natural and beautiful locations and amazing skies – I believe it will bring its soul to the film”.

The BBC recently shot a new Tracey Beaker story in Newcastle with an 85 per cent local crew.

“What’s important is to capitalise on that by using people based here so they get the training and experience to make them valuable,” said location manager Gareth Williams.