HBO Max’s latest comedy series Youth was filmed at a north London higher education institution, with undergraduates taking on roles as background performers.
The production, centred on themes of mid-life transition, comes from the creator of Catastrophe and Bad Sisters, Sharon Horgan, who also appears in the series alongside Aran Murphy, whose father is actor Cillian Murphy.
The programme’s opening instalment, released recently, included a school graduation sequence shot at Middlesex University’s Hendon campus.
Subsequent episodes contain additional scenes filmed at the university campus as well as at the StoneX Stadium nearby.
Horgan, who resides in Hackney, portrays a character in her fifties dealing with the complexities of romantic relationships, family responsibilities, and the demands of caring for elderly parents alongside a teenage child.
The production represents one of eight filming projects completed at Middlesex University over the past twelve months, reflecting a collaborative arrangement with film services provider FilmFixer.
Several other major broadcasters and streaming platforms, including Apple TV, the BBC, Netflix, and Studio B, have previously used the campus for various productions.
These projects have provided Middlesex students with practical experience on professional film sets.
Students from arts and creative industries programmes participated in the graduation sequence featured in Youth’s first episode.
The Grove Atrium served as the location for the school ceremony.
Participants had opportunities to observe the filming process as it happened, serve as compensated background artists, and collaborate with industry specialists including members of the locations team, art department, graphic design personnel, and digital imaging technicians.
James Afflatt, a final-year undergraduate pursuing a BA in film studies, remarked that proximity to professional performers and technical crews, combined with exposure to industry-standard equipment, proved invaluable.
He noted that the experience offered genuine film industry exposure and provided insight into producing content destined for substantial audiences, demonstrating practical filmmaking techniques and reinforcing student determination.
Jieun Sin, a second-year undergraduate who worked as a background performer, described the opportunity as an unusual experience that offered genuine insight into television production processes.
She emphasised that practical understanding of diverse production roles complements theoretical film education.
Helen Bendon, deputy dean responsible for education across arts and creative industries at Middlesex University, stated that hosting significant productions provides students with valuable proximity to the industry and opportunities for on-set learning.
She explained that the collaboration with FilmFixer assists in eliminating obstacles preventing students from accessing large-scale high-end productions.
The institution anticipates continuing to attract further productions that enable students to develop skills, establish professional connections, and accumulate industry experience.
The arrangement with FilmFixer forms part of Middlesex University’s participation in Screen London Barnet, an initiative intended to establish the borough and wider north London region as a destination for film, television, and digital content creation.
Emily Charlton, film service manager at FilmFixer, described the collaboration with Middlesex University to host HBO’s Youth as an exemplary demonstration of how integrating major productions into educational environments can generate meaningful prospects for students and the broader screen sector.
She added that the organisation anticipates welcoming additional productions to the location subsequently.