Sheridan Smith, a celebrated British actress, stars in The Castaways, a thrilling series that has captivated audiences after its UK premiere on Channel 5, following its initial release on Paramount+ in 2023. This gripping drama plunges viewers into the aftermath of a plane crash, leaving survivors stranded on a remote Pacific island, battling not only the elements but also escalating tensions amongst themselves, while their families back home unravel a web of conspiracy.
For fans drawn to the authenticity of the island setting and the dramatic landscapes, the question arises: where was The Castaways filmed? The series boasts a backdrop as compelling as its plot, utilizing real-world locations to enhance the survival story.
Sheridan Smith immersed in the island setting of The Castaways, filmed on the beaches of Fiji.
The production team chose Fiji as a primary filming location to bring the remote island scenes to life. Ironically mirroring the storyline, Fiji, a Pacific paradise, served as the real-world counterpart to the ill-fated flight’s destination. The islands of Fiji offered the quintessential imagery of a secluded, breathtaking, yet challenging environment for the castaways’ ordeal.
Greece also played a significant role in the filming of The Castaways, providing diverse settings, particularly for beach sequences. However, the production in Greece wasn’t without its hurdles. The crew encountered the intense summer heat of July 2023, which presented unexpected obstacles.
The diverse landscapes of Greece and Fiji provided the backdrop for filming The Castaways series.
Producer Myf Hopkins recounted the challenges faced in Greece: “In Greece, we hit difficulties with the intense heat in the summer. We had a scene where we needed to light fires, but we couldn’t do that because fires were banned in Greece due to the heatwave. So we had to be clever and find our own way of doing it. We had to replicate something in post production.” This anecdote highlights the real-world constraints that sometimes influence on-screen narratives, requiring creative problem-solving to maintain the storyline’s integrity.
Interestingly, not all scenes were captured on location. The dramatic plane crash sequences were meticulously filmed in a studio environment in Athens, Greece. This controlled setting allowed for complex shots and safety measures necessary for such intense scenes. The studio work spanned four days and was filmed sequentially to capture the unfolding drama of the crash convincingly.
Actor Dominic Tighe, who plays survivor Daniel, shed light on the studio setup: “They built this incredible airplane interior where the seats could all be moved, the walls and the ceiling could come out and you could bring a crane in. They relied on good old-fashioned Hollywood tricks of shaky camera and lightning effects, but it is very, very effective.” This behind-the-scenes glimpse reveals the blend of practical set design and cinematic techniques used to create impactful moments for viewers wondering where The Castaways was filmed.
Brendan Cowell in his role as the pilot in The Castaways, with studio scenes filmed in Athens.
In summary, The Castaways expertly blends the idyllic and the challenging by filming in locations like Fiji and Greece, while studio settings in Athens facilitated the depiction of the dramatic plane crash. These diverse filming locations contribute significantly to the series’ immersive quality, drawing viewers deeper into the castaways’ fight for survival and the unfolding mysteries of their predicament.
