Two Weeks in August: BBC drama is set in 'land of the ancient Gods' Greece, but was filmed in another 'idyllic' Mediterranean island
"I would urge people to visit as there is something for everyone"
Two Weeks in August is set on a “beautiful” island described as “paradise” by cast and crew, but what filming locations were really used for the BBC drama?
The production team spent five months filming the “painfully real” series last year, with some even flying their off-screen families over for the duration.
And it’s no wonder they had a blast while filming. The mediterranean landscapes, stunning beaches, and round-the-clock sunshine make for stunning scenes in the eight-part drama.
So where is BBC One’s Two Weeks in August set, and what filming locations were actually used? Here’s everything you need to know.
Where is it set?
Two Weeks in August is set in Greece. It tells the story of a woman who goes on holiday with her family and friends to rediscover joy in her life. But, even in paradise, she cannot escape the secrets of her past.
When an illicit kiss quickly turns the dream vacation into a nightmare, Zoe and her former uni friends become faced with real life-or-death situations. But is Zoe responsible for the drama and destruction around her or, as heaven turns to hell, are bigger forces at play?
The synopsis teases: “We are in Greece after all, the land of the ancient Gods…”
While Two Weeks in August has been likened to The White Lotus, the only thing the series has in common is the beautiful filming locations. This is not about rich people staying at the Four Seasons. This is about real people with real budgets.
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Where was Two Weeks in August actually filmed?
The “tantalising erotic drama” with more than a hint of dark comedy was actually filmed in Malta and Gozo. Although Malta and Greece are similar in some ways, such as the Mediterranean climates, stunning coastlines, and rich, layered histories, they are totally different countries, with 462 miles between them.
Malta is famous for its 8,000-year history, and stunning Mediterranean coastline. The fortified capital city of Valletta has featured in multiple TV shows over the years, including The Wives, and The Madame Blanc Mysteries. Malta’s capital Valetta is a highly concentrated UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its grand baroque palaces, museums, and military defences.
Other popular tourist attractions include the prehistoric temples, that predate the pyramids. Meanwhile, the archipelago is celebrated for its “cinematic landscapes, crystal-clear diving waters, and over 300 days of sunshine”. No wonder it features prominently in Two Weeks in August.
Key highlights that make Malta a bucket-list destination include the Megalithic Temples, such as the Ġgantija Temples, which are some of the world’s oldest free-standing stone structures. Meanwhile, the ancient “Silent City” Mdina is known for its narrow, atmospheric streets.
Because of its dramatic cliffs, “honey-hued limestone walls”, and history, Malta has become a major filming location, and has a huge filming industry. It provided the backdrop for blockbusters like Jurassic World Rebirth, Gladiator and its sequel, and Troy.
Key filming locations used in Two Weeks in August
Key scenes were filmed with the scenic backdrop of the Maltese archipelago. Dwejra Bay on the island of Gozo is a popular spot for snorkelling, diving, and sightseeing. The large rock formation and rugged limestone cliffs in the background of some scenes is called Fungus Rock (Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral), and was famously guarded by the Knights of St. John in the past due to a rare plant believed to have medicinal properties.
Gozo is the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, sitting just northwest of the main island of Malta. It’s known for its more rural, rugged, and greener landscapes than the main island of Malta. A ferry regularly travels between the two islands and takes about 25 minutes.
Talking about how Malta and Gozo stand in for Greece, Executive Producer, Creator & Writer Catherine Shepherd told us: “Malta is a stunningly beautiful place, which is very important to the story. Because it’s about trying to find paradise – a place of escape where all worries and anxieties disappear. The island has a dramatic, rugged landscape and, like Greece, is steeped in thousands of years of ancient history; it truly has everything. Filming there has been wonderful. The island is a character in its own right; it is beautiful, but a bit dangerous. When things get difficult for our characters, it won’t be there to protect them.”
Other key filming locations used in the BBC series:
- The white-walled apartment where the friends are staying is part of the Wardija Hilltop Village, a distinctive complex located in Wardija, Malta, overlooking St. Paul’s Bay. It is primarily composed of self-catering apartments and units, and there’s a shared pool. The site is known for its traditional Maltese architecture, featuring white-washed stone buildings nestled into a rocky hillside. It includes terraced landscapes, native Mediterranean vegetation, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The area was also used as a filming location in The Durrells.
- On day two, when the families head for a boat trip, viewers see the stunning limestone cliffs of Malta in the Dingli area. The boat leaves and returns from Mġarr ix-Xini, a secluded bay located on the island of Gozo, Malta. It’s also where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie filmed By the Sea.
‘The island initially looks like paradise, but becomes a hellscape’
Talking about the Two Weeks in August filming locations, Zoe actress Jessica Raine said: “The island is a character in and of itself. It initially looks like paradise, but it soon becomes a hellscape. The beautiful, isolated location turns into utter loneliness and there is a sense of dread that the group can’t escape.”
Talking about filming in March, she revealed it wasn’t as warm as it looked! She said: “I’ve never been so cold in my entire life, and I’ve shot in Iceland! There’s a birthday party scene we filmed early on where we’re all in summer clothes, but everyone’s secretly got thermals on underneath wherever they can fit them. We were packed with hot water bottles. People didn’t believe me when I called home at the beginning of the shoot and said it was freezing. Thankfully, the weather did change for the better. The locations were stunning – shooting on Gozo was a real treat.”
Filming locations for Two Weeks in August were ‘idyllic”
Damien Molony, who plays Zoe’s husband Dan, said: “I love Malta. We were lucky to film in many incredibly beautiful locations and beaches; it was idyllic. I would urge people to visit as there is something for everyone. I loved my time here. We were in Dwejra Bay for our first day of filming which was astonishingly epic and beautiful. It’s exactly the type of place you would go to save your marriage.”
He continued: “I took my family out there. My wife and I actually took our kids, and they went to a school out there. We were there for five months. We filmed in these beautiful beaches which you can only get to by quad bike. We’d go swimming in the sea after filming every day.”
Jess actress Antonia Thomas added: “Filming in Malta was absolutely gorgeous. I normally film in cold places, like Northern England, where it’s non-stop raining. I love England, but filming in the gorgeous Mediterranean was great. However, when we got to Malta in March, we were in bikinis while filming and had to pretend it wasn’t cold and windy, which was challenging! But aside from that, the people are wonderful, and I’d love to come back again soon.”
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