Documentary shows Metro life on the line

LOVE it or loathe it, the Metro is a quintessential part of life in the North East.

Now its ups and down are to be put on display for the whole country in a new ITV behind-thescenes documentary.

For the first time, Nexus are granting camera crews in-depth access to the people who keep it running every day – and the people who use it.

The four-part series – which has the working title ‘Metropolis’ – will be filmed in 2019 but doesn’t have a release date yet.

Metro – which is publicly-owned and run by Nexus – was opened by the Queen in 1980 and is at a pivotal moment in its history.

Five companies from around the world are currently fighting for the contract to build £500m worth of new trains (plus a new depot) to replace the 40-year-old models currently in use.

Tobyn Hughes, managing director of Nexus, said: “The Metro is owned by the people who live in the North East, and the people who run it are from the local community – it is a truly local railway.

“It is part of the unique fabric of the North East that sets it apart from the rest of the country: friendly, hardworking, and with a unique cultural identity.

“Our story is our passengers, so we are very much looking forward to sharing these through this TV documentary series.”

The series is being produced by Leeds-based Wise Owl Films, whose creative director said he was “privileged and excited” to be involved.

Lime Pictures – who produce Geordie Shore – are also involved.

Tom Giles, ITV Controller of Current Affairs, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Wise Owl on a series steeped in the culture and people of the NorthEast – the first time this level of access has been given to a unique network, one of the region’s bestloved feats of modern engineering.”