The North Water is a recent five-part mini-series that premiered on BBC Two in July 2021. Based on the novel of the same name by Ian McGuire, the show follows a group of whalers on a dangerous voyage aboard a doomed ship in the Arctic in the late 19th century. The North Water boasts an impressive cast led by Jack O’Connell, Colin Farrell, and Stephen Graham, and it has drawn critical acclaim for its stark depiction of violence and survival in the forbidding landscape of the Far North.
But where exactly was the North Water filmed?
The answer is a bit complicated. Like many modern TV shows and movies, the North Water was shot across multiple locations using a combination of practical sets, natural landscapes, and digital effects. However, one of the key filming locations for the series was the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, which is located on the border between England and Scotland.
Berwick-upon-Tweed is a small coastal town with a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was once an important strategic location, changing hands between England and Scotland numerous times over the centuries. Today, it’s a peaceful and picturesque town that’s popular with tourists who come to explore its narrow streets, historic walls, and scenic beaches.
The North Water crew filmed in Berwick-upon-Tweed for several weeks in late 2019, using various locations around the town to recreate the look and feel of a late 19th-century Arctic port. They transformed the quayside and berths at Tweed Dock into a whaling station, complete with tall ships, cranes, and wooden buildings. Some of the scenes that take place on the ice were also shot in Berwick-upon-Tweed, using a combination of real ice and fake snow.
However, Berwick-upon-Tweed wasn’t the only location used for the North Water. Other key filming locations included the Scottish Highlands, the Arctic Circle, and the studio sets at Glasgow’s Film City. The show’s production team also used a range of special effects and CGI to enhance the look of some scenes and add in elements like ice floes, polar bears, and whaling ships.
While the North Water’s filming locations may have been varied, the end result is a stunning and immersive portrayal of life aboard a whaling ship in the Arctic. The show’s gritty realism and attention to detail have helped make it one of the most talked-about and intense dramas of the year. Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction, survival stories, or simply good television, the North Water is a show that’s well worth watching. Just be warned: it’s not for the faint of heart.