An upcoming star-studded romantic comedy will see Teesside Airport act as a stand-in for a New York airport when it releases later this week.

Upgraded, which was filmed in Tees Valley, will comes to Prime Video on Friday (February 9).

Filming took place at Teesside Airport in August 2022 as the site played the setting of New York International Airport.  

The film will see Marisa Tomei, of Spider-Man and My Cousin Vinny fame, and Riverdale actress Camila Mendes star.

The Northern Echo: Upcoming romantic comedy Upgraded will see Teesside Airport act as a stand-in for a New York

Teesside International Airport managing director Phil Forster said: “We were delighted to welcome the cast and crew of Upgraded to Teesside Airport and it’s fantastic to see our airport in the finished film. 

“We know our airport is a great location for our passengers and the fact that we can stand in as New York in a major Hollywood film shows how far we have come in transforming our terminal building into a modern and vibrant place from which even the stars want to travel.” 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We know we have superb locations for filming across Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington and it’s great that Teesside Airport is now also firmly on that list. 

“Our airport was once a crumbling, failing business but in just the past year we have enjoyed the best passenger numbers in more than a decade, been named UK and Ireland Airport of the Year and are now starring in major movies.” 

The latter will play an ambitious intern dreaming of an art career while trying to impress her demanding boss Claire (Marisa Tomei). 

The Amazon Original movie is directed by Carlson Young.

Filming took place in just a day and saw the airport terminal signs and luggage trolleys changed to black and yellow to mimic the New York airport, while yellow New York taxis could be seen outside the entrance. 

The shooting followed weeks of negotiations between the production team and airport staff to ensure filming did not interfere operations. 

The production was supported by North East Screen.

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North East Screen Operations Director Gayle Woodruffe said: The North East is home to a diverse array of world-class locations, all of which have their own unique versatility which can be easily adapted to the needs of the production filming.  

“Seeing Teesside Airport transform into New York International Airport shows this at its best, and it is a real asset in our North East locations portfolio.” 

North East film and TV production increased 28% in 2023, and Upgraded is the fourth time in 2024 that Tees Valley locations have appeared on screen, following feature film JACKDAW and ITV dramas, After the Flood and Vera, with further in the pipeline for the rest of the year.