The British are coming! Hollywood and the ""new"" British invasion

Though a strong relationship and cultural exchange has always existed between Britain and Hollywood, the new millennium has seen a major (and ever increasing) explosion in what one might deem a “new” British Invasion. British cultural exports, including films and television, have increased their reach and influence in the American cultural landscape, taking advantage of the internet and the widening reach of fan culture. Economics have played a large role in the invasion, sending American production overseas to produce films that take advantage of British tax credits. Most visibly, British talent has increased its presence in film and carved itself a strong foothold in television, creating a veritable cult of British acting. This essay aims to examine the causes of those three components and how and why they have worked together to create an entertainment landscape under heavy British influence. Furthermore, it probes what these trends say about Hollywood and its social and cultural context at large.