There’s nothing like a good old Spy thriller, and Josh Appelbaum’s Citadel checks out all the boxes for an intense and absorbing series that makes sure it lives up to be Marvel’s version of a spy show. Starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden as the protagonists, this action-adventure series premiered on April 28th, 2023.
Although the idea was originally proposed by Jennifer Salker, David Weil was made the showrunner. David is known for his hit TV shows such as Solos, Invasion, and Hunters. Citadel eventually ended up becoming the second most expensive show to be shot this year, with the budget for the series being more than $300 Million. Despite the budget, Citadel has received lukewarm ratings, but with another season in the bag, the show could redeem itself through a much more complex and unpredictable plot.
The storyline of Citadel revolves around Nadia Sinh and Mason Kane, both of whom are skilled secret agents that work for an organization called Citadel. The thing about this secret syndicate is that it isn’t controlled by any country and is pretty much an autonomous group that makes sure there’s equilibrium in the criminal statistics of various countries.
Asides from Priyanka and Richard, the rest of the cast members that we see in the show are Ashleigh Cummings playing the role of Abby Conroy, Roland Miller portrays Anders, Osy Ikhile in the role of Carter Space, and Lesley Manville as Dahlia. What makes Citadel much more interesting is Stanley Tucci’s role as Bernard Orlick, the mastermind that brings the whole show together. Actors like Moira Kelly (The Cutting Edge), Timothy Busfiled (The West Wing), and Nikki Amuka-Bird were guest actors on Citadel.
Citadel: Filming Locations
Filming for this Prime Video show began way back in January 2021, right as the world was recovering from the pandemic. With filming taking place in multiple locations, the budget was already high, but when the showrunner had to be changed, and each scene went through a retake, that’s when the budget rose to the $300 Million that we are aware of. Scenes like the train fight and other cinematic shots give Citadel a spy-film-like vibe that’s always a pleasure to witness.
United Kingdom:
Most interior and exterior shots have taken place in the UK, specifically Birmingham and Harlaxton Manor in Lincolnshire, England. The shot at Birmingham had around 400+ extras that had to be employed to shoot a successful protest scene, which took place near Chamberlain Square. Kensington Gardens and Royal Albert Hall are some places that Priyanka and Madden were spotted shooting at.
Bourne Wood, which serves as the filming location for some of the most famous films like Captain America, Transformers, Gladiator, and The Golden Compass, has once again provided impressive views for the show. The area is covered with pine forests and calming natural rivers, making it a perfect spot for any film or TV show.
Atlanta, Georgia:
With most of the show’s producers having already worked on movies like Avengers: Endgame, it’s not a surprise that they would feel more comfortable shooting locations they are already well aware of. This includes Atlanta, a place that’s filled with such diverse regions that it could make up for any place on Earth, whether it’s the hot and humid deserts or the lush green forests. Asides from the natural aspects, Atlanta’s diverse architectural history makes it much more suitable for spy thrillers with secret organization hideouts.
Slovenia:
Scenes that we see taking place in snow and frigid regions were spotted mostly in Kanin Mountains located in Slovenia. Many other resorts, hills, and skiing locations were featured in Citadel’s shots. The Stol Mountain in Kobarid of Slovenia was another place in the show. Slovenia is a place that’s infamous for its otherworldly lakes and natural formations and is a popular tourist and filming location.
These were the known locations of Citadel’s season 1, and it has been revealed that the next season of this dramatic spy series will be mostly taking place in California. At present, Citadel will be available to stream on Prime Video.
Also Read: Citadel Ending Explained: Who Was Behind The Citadel Fall?
