But if you need proof of Wearside's ability to welcome the stars, here it is.
Camera crews have rolled into the area loads of times and used everything from the top of Wearmouth Bridge to Easington dog track as a backdrop.
Intrigued? Read on for our Echo archive instalment of camera crews in Sunderland.
2. A factory in focus
Dewhirsts staff in Leechmere became the stars of a film in February 1997.
3. Stars in 1999
Members of the Detached Youth Project, based at The Bunker, were the subject of BBC 2 documentary Young Musicians, Never Too Early.
1 / 3