The streaming giant  and its partners will produce new and existing TV series and feature films at the studios, which are owned by the Pinewood Group. The first Netflix original production to film at Shepperton will be The Old Guard, starring Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne, and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The movie, which is being produced by Skydance Media, Denver and Delilah and Marc Evans, is an action drama based on the comic book series created by author Greg Rucka and illustrator Leandro Fernández.

In the last year, more than 25,000 cast, crew and extras have worked on almost 40 Netflix originals and co-productions across Britain, including Sex Education in Wales, Outlaw King in Scotland and The Crown at Elstree Studios and across the country. Further productions under way include Jingle Jangle at Arborfield Studios, Cursed at Langley Studios and The English Game, which recently started filming in Manchester, UK.

Commenting on the new studios, Ted Sarandos, chief content officer, Netflix, said: “Shepperton has been synonymous with world class film for nearly a century and it’s an important production hub for the UK creative community today. We’re incredibly proud to be part of that heritage. This investment will ensure that British creators and producers have first rate production facilities and a world stage for their work.”

Pinewood Group chairman Paul Golding added: “We’re pleased to welcome Netflix to Shepperton Studios. Netflix’s decision to base its production hub at Shepperton is a strong vote of support for the Pinewood Group and gives us great confidence as we expand our UK studios. Our plans, which represent the single biggest expansion of stage space across the UK, will see Pinewood Group open 22 new sound stages, enabling us to host even more productions. This growth will help secure the ongoing success of the UK film and TV industry.”

Legendary Hollywood film director Ridley Scott, former joint owner of Shepperton Studios, remarked: “I have made 1,000 or more commercials and productions at Shepperton, including the entire Alien back in 1979. It is a wonderful historic place and one of the most efficient I can think of in the world today - without contest.”