A NEW star-studded film set and shot in the North-East will get its UK premiere in the region later this month (Monday, September 16).

Harrigan stars Stockton-born DCI Banks and Brassed Off star Stephen Tompkinson as Detective Sergeant Barry Harrigan, who returns from fighting corruption in Hong Kong to find his home city of Newcastle in deep economic crisis and disorder in the winter of 1973-4.

Harrigan’s battle for justice becomes personal and it’s up to him to save what decency and community life survives.

The film was shot in Newcastle, Gateshead and Hartlepool, with the Swan Hunter shipyard among the locations used.

Harrigan will get its red carpet premiere on Monday, September 16, with its stars bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour to the Gala Theatre and Cinema, in Durham City.

The film was written by Arthur McKenzie, a former Tyneside detective and international-standard athlete turned bestselling author and screenwriter for shows such as The Bill, who based the script partly on his own experiences.

Director Vince Woods said he was inspired by Clint Eastwood westerns, The Big Sleep, Blade Runner and Get Carter.

“There has always been something about someone making a difference and for me that has to be a positive difference, good fighting bad.

“I wanted it in the classic western setting of a relative loner arriving in a new place or specifically a changed place.

“They won’t be beaten whether it’s a tree stump or a gang of outlaws. They just have to do it their way or die trying.

“I wanted Harrigan to do this and in a way that reflected his responsibilities beyond just policing.”

Alongside Tompkinson, who was also an executive producer, Harrigan stars Sunderland-born Maurice Roeves, of River City, The Last of the Mohicans and Judge Dredd, Gillian Kearney, best known for playing Jessica Harrison in Casualty, and actor-stuntman Ian Whyte.

The 96-minute Tall Tree Pictures/High Fliers film, which is yet to receive an age rating, will open across the UK on Friday, September 20.