UK Taxpayers to Cover Part of £600,000 Bill for Unpaid Film Crew
The British government is set to reimburse crew members who were left out of pocket after a Simon Pegg film project collapsed due to severe financial difficulties. The independent period drama, titled Angels in the Asylum, owes approximately £600,000 to its workforce, with the UK's Redundancy Payments Service stepping in to provide partial compensation.
Government Intervention Sparks Outrage
According to reports, the Redundancy Payments Service, which is funded by National Insurance contributions, has informed affected crew members that they can expect some form of remuneration. However, it is anticipated that individuals will receive only about one-third of the total amount owed to them.
"It's absolutely outrageous," an anonymous crew member told Deadline. "The government is paying up for the mistakes of the producers. This is not why I pay my taxes. Pegg and the executive producers could write this off in a second and pay everyone off."
The RPS typically assists individuals when businesses encounter financial trouble, having aided nearly 70,000 people last year alone. This intervention, however, has raised questions about the use of public funds to bail out private film productions.
Film's Troubled Production History
Angels in the Asylum began filming in February 2025 but was forced to halt production after just 15 days when a significant budget gap emerged. The film's budget was initially set at £4.9 million, but shooting commenced without all necessary financing secured.
In an email update sent in March 2025, director Rob Sorrenti and producer Heather Greenwood expressed their regret to the crew: "We appreciate how difficult this is for everyone. We're incredibly sorry. We endeavour to give you all an update as soon as possible, but the situation is incredibly complex... Please know we are in this with you, neither of us intended to be in this situation and have been personally affected by it too."
Production Company in Administration
AITA Films, the production company behind the project, has been in administration since April 2025. A spokesperson stated: "Crew payments are being handled through the standard insolvency process." At the time of entering administration, Sorrenti and Greenwood explained they had been "forced into appointing an administrator as a precaution" while continuing to seek funding.
One year later, creditors are reportedly owed approximately £3.8 million, with no current plans to resume production on the film.
Simon Pegg's Involvement and Response
Simon Pegg, best known for his role in the Mission: Impossible franchise, served as both executive producer and lead actor on the project. Notably, Pegg was not paid for his work and had no involvement with the film's financial management. He reportedly told colleagues during the crisis: "We're making something really special here, something important. This is a crisis, but it's also an opportunity, and we'll be back soon."
The Independent has reached out to Pegg for comment regarding the current situation.
Film's Subject Matter and Cast
Angels in the Asylum tells the true story of a group of women who were wrongly imprisoned in a Surrey mental institution during the early 20th century after being incorrectly identified as typhoid carriers. The film also featured notable actors including Katherine Waterston, Minnie Driver, Aurora Perrineau, Rose Williams, and Alex Jennings.
The producers have emphasized their personal commitment to the project, stating: "It has taken 15 years to bring the film into production. It was devastating when we were forced to halt filming due to our second round of financing failing to materialise... We have also put some of our own funds into the project, but sadly, it hasn't been enough to rectify the situation."
