A Tale of Two Cities is a historical drama and romance series based on Charles Dickens’ famous 1859 novel. The four-part series is directed by Hong Khaou and Richard Clark and written by Daniel West. It stars Kit Harington, François Civil, Mirren Mack, Ian Pirie, and Roxane Duran in the main roles.
The story moves between London and Paris during a time of great change and revolution. Here’s everything you need to know about where A Tale of Two Cities was filmed and the real locations seen in the series.
Set in 1782, the story follows Lucie Manette after she learns that her father, who was thought to be dead, may still be alive in Paris. When Charles Darnay is arrested for treason, Lucie asks the lawyer Sydney Carton for help. Their lives soon become connected through love, danger, and the growing French Revolution.
A Tale of Two Cities premiered on September 6, 2026, as a four-part limited series. The series is distributed by BBC One in the UK and MGM+ in the US.
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When and Where Was A Tale of Two Cities Filmed?
| Film Name | A Tale of Two Cities |
|---|---|
| Genres | Historical Drama / Romance |
| Filming Locations | Budapest and Szentendre, Hungary |
| Filming Dates | October to December 2025 |
| Cinematography by | Sergio Delgado |
| Release Date | September 6, 2026 |
A Tale of Two Cities was filmed entirely in Hungary, mainly in and around Budapest. The production used Budapest’s historic streets and buildings to create the look of 1780s London and Paris. Filming was originally planned to start in September 2025, but production was pushed back and eventually took place from October to December 2025. Hungarian service company Mid-Atlantic Films handled the local production.
📍Liberty Square, Budapest
Liberty Square (Szabadság tér) in Budapest was one of the main outdoor filming locations for A Tale of Two Cities. The square was dressed to look like France during the French Revolution. The production added barricades, period carriages, horse-drawn carts, and many extras wearing French Revolution costumes. Scenes were also filmed near the Stock Exchange Palace, which stands opposite the Hungarian National Bank. The historic look of the area helped the filmmakers create the period setting without filming in modern-day Paris.
📍Szentendre Skanzen Village Museum
Address: Szentendre, Sztaravodai út 75, 2000 Hungary
The production also filmed at the Szentendre Skanzen, or Hungarian Open Air Museum, in Szentendre, north of Budapest. The museum has old village buildings from different parts of Hungary. These historic buildings gave A Tale of Two Cities a natural period setting for its story. The location helped the production create the feel of an 18th-century village without having to build every building from the ground up.
📍Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest
The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of the Budapest landmarks that can be seen in A Tale of Two Cities. Its grand design adds to the historical look of the series and helps Budapest stand in for parts of the story’s European setting.
📍Hungarian State Opera House, Budapest
The Hungarian State Opera House is another Budapest landmark featured in A Tale of Two Cities. Its historic architecture fits well with the series’ period setting and adds more detail to the world created for the story.
📍Great Market Hall, Budapest
The Great Market Hall is also visible in A Tale of Two Cities. The large historic market building gives the series another authentic-looking location that works well for its 18th-century setting.
📍Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest
Fisherman’s Bastion is another well-known Budapest landmark featured in the series. Its historic design gives A Tale of Two Cities a strong European period look and adds to the visual style of the production.
A Tale of Two Cities Behind the Scenes
To make your search for A Tale of Two Cities filming even more interesting, behind-the-scenes glimpses from the production and its cast were shared during filming.
When production was getting underway in Budapest, Kit Harington was photographed having breakfast at Sarki Fűszeres Delikát és Kávézó, a neighborhood deli and café in Budapest’s Újlipótváros district. A social media post from the time also gave fans a glimpse connected to his visit.
Later in December 2025, near the end of production, Kit Harington was spotted dining at Plátán Bisztró in Tata, a town outside Budapest. His visit to Tata does not confirm that A Tale of Two Cities filmed there, but it happened while production was still underway.
For more information about the shooting locations and behind-the-scenes moments of A Tale of Two Cities, stay tuned to this post. We will add more as new details become available.
Is there any trailer available for A Tale of Two Cities?
Yes, a trailer for A Tale of Two Cities is available. The trailer gives viewers a look at Kit Harington as Sydney Carton, François Civil as Charles Darnay, and Mirren Mack as Lucie Manette. It also shows the period setting and the dramatic events surrounding the French Revolution.
A Tale of Two Cities was released on September 6, 2026, by BBC One in the UK and MGM+ in the US.
FAQs
Q1: Where was A Tale of Two Cities filmed?
A1: A Tale of Two Cities was filmed entirely in Hungary, mainly in and around Budapest, with additional filming at the Szentendre Skanzen Village Museum.
Q2: What scenes were filmed at Liberty Square in Budapest?
A2: Revolution-era scenes from A Tale of Two Cities were filmed at Liberty Square. The production added barricades, period carriages, horse-drawn carts, and costumed extras to make the area look like France during the French Revolution.
Q3: When did filming for A Tale of Two Cities begin?
A3: Filming for A Tale of Two Cities was originally planned for September 2025 but was delayed. Principal photography eventually took place from October to December 2025.
Q4: Did A Tale of Two Cities film in the UK?
A4: No. Although A Tale of Two Cities includes London in its story, the production was filmed entirely in Hungary.
Q5: Is A Tale of Two Cities based on a true story?
A5: No. A Tale of Two Cities is based on Charles Dickens’ 1859 novel of the same name. The story is fictional and takes place during the years leading up to and during the French Revolution.
Q6: Who stars in A Tale of Two Cities?
A6: A Tale of Two Cities stars Kit Harington as Sydney Carton, François Civil as Charles Darnay, and Mirren Mack as Lucie Manette. Ian Pirie and Roxane Duran also appear in important supporting roles.
Q7: Where can I watch A Tale of Two Cities?
A7: A Tale of Two Cities is available on BBC One in the UK and MGM+ in the US. The four-part series premiered on September 6, 2026.
The filming locations of A Tale of Two Cities show how Budapest and the surrounding areas were transformed into the world of Charles Dickens’ story. From the revolution-era streets of Liberty Square to the historic Szentendre Skanzen Village Museum, Hungary provided the period look needed for the series. With several famous Budapest landmarks also appearing on screen, A Tale of Two Cities gives viewers plenty of real places to look for while watching the series.
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