A prison thriller filmed almost entirely inside Shepton Mallet Prison has been nominated for a BAFTA ahead of its UK cinema release this month.

Wasteman (18), shot over two weeks in June 2024 inside the former Victorian jail in Shepton Mallet, has earned director Cal McMau a nomination in the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer category. The film is due to be released nationwide from Friday, 20 February.

The production made extensive use of the prison's Victorian B Wing, including staging a riot scene within the historic block. Filming was supported by Screen Somerset, Somerset Council's film office.

Starring David Jonsson, known for The Long Walk and Alien: Romulus, and Tom Blyth of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the film was produced by Philip Barantini, director of Adolescence. Viewers may also recognise Alex Hassell, who played Rupert Campbell-Black in Rivals, appearing in a contrasting role as inmate Paul.

Wasteman follows Taylor, played by Jonsson, as he attempts to stay out of trouble in a violent prison environment while seeking early parole to reunite with his son. His plans are disrupted by the arrival of volatile new cellmate Dee, played by Blyth.

Shepton Mallet Prison, which dates back to 1625, was the oldest operating prison in the country when it closed in 2013. Since then it has become a sought-after filming location, previously featuring in productions including Paddington 2, Wicked Little Letters, Grantchester and Des.

Somerset Council said film and television production brought an estimated £4.2 million to the county's economy last year.

Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council's Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, said: "Shepton Mallet Prison is a filming hotspot and a fantastic example of the wide range of locations that the county has to offer.

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"Working with locations like this – promoting them and helping filming go smoothly – is all part of making Somerset as film-friendly and attractive to filmmakers as possible."

Charlie Lawson, Attraction Director at Shepton Mallet Prison, said the release would help raise the profile of the 400-year-old site and generate income to support its preservation and restoration.

Wasteman, which contains very strong violence, strong language and drug misuse, will be shown at major cinemas from Friday, 20 February.

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