The crime series, created by Ronan Bennett with the participation of Guy Ritchie, was filmed in the UK and Belgium, but the main filming city was London. The choice of filming locations was driven by the need to immerse viewers in the world of wealthy crime families. The series' creators needed to emphasize the contrast between the luxurious lives of the characters and the harsh reality of their activities. In London, filming took place in various areas of the city, including the Isle of Dogs in East London. A landmark location was Waverton House, which was used as the residence of the Harrigan family. The use of bustling urban areas allowed the creators to convey the danger of the organized crime world.

Filming Locations:

Harrigan Mansion

In the Movie

The scene where the Harrigan family mansion is shown. The series plot focuses on two warring crime families from London, whose businesses span the globe. One of the families is led by Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan) and Maeve Harrigan (Helen Mirren), who are the patriarch and matriarch of the family. It is their mansion-residence that we see on screen.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Waverton House in Gloucestershire, England. Waverton House, designed by renowned British architect Quinlan Terry, was built between 1978 and 1980 and is a traditional stone house with a central staircase and rooms around it on all floors. It is famous for its classical style, combining elements of Cotswold stone architecture with bolder details in the style of Sanmicheli, especially in the Ionic doorway. This mansion is an excellent example of how a traditional building becomes only more beautiful over time. The filmmakers chose Waverton House as the residence of the Harrigan family due to its elegant and luxurious appearance, which perfectly matches the status of a wealthy and influential family. The use of this mansion adds realism to the film and helps create an atmosphere of luxury and power, which is important for the series' plot.

Explosion Site

In the Movie

The scene where an explosion occurs in one of the houses associated with the Harrigan family. The focus is on two warring crime families of London. Harry da Souza is a loyal "fixer" for one of the families and finds himself at the epicenter of the conflict between them. After the bombing of a family member's house, he is summoned to a meeting with the boss, where he is told that he must protect them. Thus, Harry finds himself in the middle of the showdown, as he must protect one family while navigating a complex web of loyalties and betrayals.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on one of the streets of the Isle of Dogs in London. This is an area in East London, part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the River Thames. The area is known for being home to one of Europe's largest business districts, Canary Wharf, which houses numerous office buildings, including the famous skyscraper One Canada Square. Historically, this area was part of the London Docks, but after its decline in the 1980s, it was transformed into a modern business center. The proximity of buildings to each other on individual streets creates an ideal setting for impressive visual effects. The dense development allows maximum use of space for shots of the explosion and the assassination attempt on people close to the crime family.

Midland Grand at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel

In the Movie

The scene where a meeting takes place between Harry, who tries to broker an agreement between the Doyles and the Lazaros in an exquisite brasserie. The luxurious Victorian interior of the hotel restaurant sets the necessary status backdrop for tense negotiations between rival parties and immediately shows the balance of power in the series.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in an elegant French brasserie inside the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which was formerly the Midland Grand Hotel of the Victorian era and opened in 1873. The restaurant is run by Michelin-starred chef Victor Garvey, and the space itself features Gothic style, high ceilings, and many decorative details. The building underwent a major restoration and reopened as a luxury hotel in 2011, preserving its historical grandeur.

Waverton House, Sezincote

In the Movie

The scene where the Harrigan family estate is shown, serving as the imposing base of the crime dynasty. The majestic facade of the country house and the surrounding grounds, including the stables shown in the second episode, emphasize the immense wealth and ambitions of the family, who dream of old money, against the backdrop of their criminal business.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a large English country house in Sezincote, Gloucestershire, inspired by classical 18th-century architecture but actually built between 1978 and 1980. It is primarily used for equestrian events, as well as evening outdoor film screenings and live music performances. The location is more than two hours' drive from London and stands amidst the picturesque Cotswold countryside, surrounded by hills and fields.

Two Temple Place

In the Movie

The scene where the interior of the House of Commons is shown in a politically tense scene. The neo-Gothic architecture and carved wood paneling of Two Temple Place convincingly stand in for the Parliament building, adding an authentic sense of power, tradition, and historical weight to the proceedings.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the majestic neo-Gothic mansion on London's Victoria Embankment, built in the 1890s for William Waldorf Astor. It is known for its intricate wood carvings, stained glass, and decorative stonework, and today serves as a cultural venue hosting free exhibitions. Thanks to its luxurious interiors, the building is often used for filming; it also portrayed Parliament in the series Silent Witness.