It has surely happened to you before: you are watching a gripping series, and while you are completely absorbed in the story, you might not even notice that the scenes are actually taking place in Romania. Perhaps for a fleeting moment, a cobblestone street, a museum interior, a fog-covered castle, or a wooded landscape seemed familiar, but you quickly moved on, carried away by the action.

This is no coincidence, as Romania has become one of the favorite locations for international film producers in recent years. The country offers everything a production might need: from elegant boulevards reminiscent of Paris, to cold Soviet-style architecture, and even mystical mountain peaks. Filmmakers take full advantage of this diversity; whether it's dark thrillers, lighthearted comedies, historical dramas, or futuristic action films, Romania provides a perfect backdrop for any style.

Today, we present two series you have most likely already seen, but we will show you where their most memorable scenes were actually filmed.

Killing Eve

Killing Eve is a suspenseful series filled with dark humor, revolving around an unusual investigation. The story focuses on two women: Eve, a British agent, and Villanelle, an elite assassin. Although the characters travel all over Europe, Romania became one of the most important filming locations. The team chose our country because it offers everything in one place: elegant Parisian-style streets, Soviet-looking neighborhoods, and charming, traditional villages.

Bucharest was the "hidden star" of the series, transforming perfectly into Moscow. The chosen locations were so convincing that the team didn't even need to film in Russia. For instance, the Gara de Nord (North Railway Station) park, with the CFR Palace in the background, served as the headquarters for the Russian secret service, the FSB.

(Source: Vice)

In Bucharest, the concrete building of the Polytechnic University and the interior of the Romanian Athenaeum also appear in key scenes. Beyond serving as a "double" for Russia, the capital's streets successfully recreated the atmosphere of France and Bulgaria.

(Source: Vice)

Other corners of the country also played significant roles. Comandău, in Covasna County, became Grizmet, Villanelle's Russian hometown.

(Source: TheCinemaholic)

In later seasons, filming continued in places like the UNESCO village of Viscri, the shores of Snagov Lake, and the town of Lupeni, which provided a perfect industrial backdrop for darker moments. This diversity of locations contributed significantly to the series' spectacular visual appeal.

(Source: Pro TV)

Wednesday

Tim Burton’s series conquered the world in a heartbeat, and although the mysterious Nevermore Academy is set in the US state of Vermont, the production team worked almost exclusively in Romania. The director sought a location that was simultaneously gothic, elegant, and mysterious—leading to the choice of Cantacuzino Castle in Bușteni. The building's majestic bastions and stone walls served as the exterior of the academy, though the dark, pointed roofs seen in the series were added digitally to give it an even more "Addams" feel.

(Source: Architectural Digest)

For interior scenes, the crew utilized some of Bucharest's most beautiful buildings. When Wednesday and Enid walk through the halls of Nevermore or visit the principal's office, we are actually seeing the decorated rooms of the Monteoru House.

(Source: Lovin’ Romania)

The "Dimitrie Brândză" Botanical Garden in Bucharest is one of the most mysterious locations of Nevermore Academy, where the students attend their horticulture classes. The lush, steamy, and slightly ominous greenhouses in the series are, in reality, the greenhouses of the Botanical Garden.

(Source: The Guardian)

During filming, even the sports scenes were given a Romanian setting: the student canoe race took place on Lake Brănești, while the entire main square of the town of Jericho was built from scratch in the courtyard of the Buftea Studios. Tim Burton reportedly loved filming in Romania because the local locations had a natural depth and character that could never have been replicated in a closed studio.

(Source: The Hip Life)

Bonus: Did you know these were also filmed here?

Romania’s cinematic career is not limited to Killing Eve or Wednesday. Numerous world-famous productions have chosen the country as a destination, from spectacular mountains to historic buildings. Here are a few titles you probably didn't know were filmed here:

• Cold Mountain (2003)
• Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
• Monte Carlo (2011)
• What Happened to Monday (2017)
• The Nun (2018)
• The Princess Switch (2018)

If you feel like discovering these charming filming locations with your own eyes, it is worth organizing an adventurous trip to Romania. Plan your route in advance and book your accommodation near your favorite filming location to fully enjoy the special, mystical atmosphere of these series and films!