Man killed at film studios behind Dept Q and The Rig currently subject of FAI

The Rig brought a huge TV production to Edinburgh's FirstStage Studios | Courtesy of FirstStage Studios

placeholder image — The Rig brought a huge TV production to Edinburgh's FirstStage Studios | Courtesy of FirstStage Studios

The studio is believed to have previously hosted sets for shows including Dept Q and The Rig

A man has been killed in an incident at the film studio behind shows including Department Q and The Rig, which is currently the subject of a Fatal Accident Inquiry over another worker’s death four years ago.

Police Scotland said the fatality occurred on Thursday afternoon at FirstStage Studios in the Leith area of Edinburgh.

Emergency services were called to a report of a man who had been seriously injured, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.

In July 2022, Philip Ross, 30, is believed to have died in an accident involving a hydraulic lift at the studios while working on a production of The Outrun.

Mr Ross’ death is currently the subject of a Fatal Accident Inquiry.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3pm on Thursday, 12 November, 2026, we were called to a report of a man seriously injured at an industrial premises in the Bath Road area of Edinburgh.

“Emergency services attended, however, the man was pronounced dead a short time later.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious, however enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”

It is not known what production was being filmed at the studios at the time of the incident. The studios, which was set up in 2018 on a 8.9 acres site and has 115,000sq ft of stage space, has previously been the site for filming of shows including Dept Q and The Rig.

FirstStage, headed by chief executive Bob Last, who co-owns the company with Jason Connery, son of Sir Sean Connery, has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Following Mr Ross’ death in 2022, a spokesperson for FirstStage said: "FirstStage Studios was devastated to learn of the tragic death of a contractor working for one of our production customers. We understand an investigation is under way so cannot comment further save to offer our condolences to the contractor's family and colleagues."