'A Gentleman in Moscow' delivers a visual feast with diverse filming locations that'll leave you breathless
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Based on the book of the same name by Amor Towles, 'A Gentleman in Moscow' made its debut on Paramount+ and Showtime on Friday, March 29.
Set against the backdrop of 1922, the storyline of the show revolves around Count Alexander Rostov (Ewan McGregor), a member of the Russian nobility who finds himself under house arrest in 1922.
Rostov was sentenced to house arrest and confined to the lavish, luxurious Metropol hotel.
So, the question arises whether the Metropol hotel still exists or if an indoor set was specifically constructed for the series production.
Indeed, the Metropol Hotel still stands today. However, it's crucial to note that neither the show's creators nor any of the actors have confirmed whether the real hotel was used for filming.
However, the series was filmed in a variety of other locations. So, let's look at the places that were used to film the historical drama.
Victoria Square outside Bolton Town Hall in Bolton
Some of the significant sequences from the episode were filmed in Victoria Square, located outside Bolton Town Hall.
Constructed between 1866 and 1873 by architects William Hill of Leeds and George Woodhouse of Bolton, the infamous building boasts a rich industrial history. It features two principal floors and a large basement level.
The building also features a broad flight of steps, with the tower reaching a height of 200 feet in addition.
Greater Manchester, England
Filming for the historical drama also took place in the ceremonial county of North West England. Manchester, renowned for its role as the location of the world's first railway line in 1830, holds the distinction of being the world's first industrialized metropolis.
The Victorian era gave rise to the notorious moniker 'Cottonopolis' for the city.
Furthermore, the University of Manchester is home to 25 Nobel Prize winners, which adds even more prestige to the city.
Liverpool Town Hall
A few key scenes for the series were also filmed in the renowned Liverpool Town Hall. Typically utilized for exhibitions, conferences, weddings, and various events.
In addition to having the second-highest concentration of national museums in the United Kingdom, Liverpool Town Hall is crowned with a statue known as Minerva.
Queen Victoria famously greeted traders in Exchange Flags in 1851 while standing on the Town Hall balcony.
Halifax, West Yorkshire
The city, renowned for its rich history in the wool industry, Victorian architecture, and iconic Piece Hall, also serves as a filming location for the series.
The city is home to several globally recognized brands, including The Gibbet, the Halifax Bank, and Mackintosh chocolate and toffee (which is currently owned by Nestlé), among many more.
Leeds Civic Hall
The series' taping in May 2023 took place in Leeds Civic Hall; however, due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, production was halted in July.
The civic hall is well-known for its iconic design, which features a main staircase with stained glass windows, a 90-foot entry hall, and corridors paved with marble.
Numerous artistic and cultural events in the city, such as the Leeds International Beer Festival and the Leeds International Concert Season, are typically held in the hall.
'A Gentleman in Moscow' Episode 1 is now streaming on Paramount+
