Unlikely UK location doubles for New York as Hollywood star seen filming
Canary Wharf has been branded the UK's answer to New York City thanks to its hotspot as a film location
What do Hollywood icons Angelina Jolie, Idris Elba, Emma Thompson and Colin Firth all have in common? They’ve all been spotted filming in London’s financial hub Canary Wharf, which has been dubbed the UK’s ‘mini-Manhattan’.
With its sleek skyscrapers, sophisticated shopping centre and futuristic-looking underground station, it’s not surprising the area has caught the eye of film and television makers who are putting the area in the spotlight and showcasing its screen-ability. Just this month, A-lister Angelina Jolie was spotted sporting a stunning blonde bob during filming for new Netflix comedy Anxious People - and she’s just the latest in a long line of Hollywood celebrities who have been frequenting the area.
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Film expert Adam Brannon, founder and editor of Movie Metropolis, says he’s not surprised that Canary Wharf is catching the attention of filmmakers as it offers both scale and accessibility. “Unlike many parts of London, particularly central London, its wide-open spaces, controlled estates and modern infrastructure make it easier to manage large-scale shoots,” he says. “Whether that be a car chase or an intricately choreographed fight sequence.
“Like New York, the area’s dramatic night-time lighting and reflective skyscrapers also lend themselves really well to stunning cinematography. And both London and New York offer generous tax incentives to attract film and TV productions, which means this central city location and incentives for crews in the UK means it can take the place of NYC relatively easily.”
From Love Actually to Men in Black, Star Wars and Batman Begins, we take a look at the 10 best-known films with scenes filmed in Canary Wharf…
1 of 10 Anxious People with Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is starring in Anxious People, a comedy currently being filmed in Crossharbour - right next to Canary Wharf - an area that is visually appealing because of its mix of new developments and historic dock features.
The iconic actress plays Zara, a lonely, wealthy banker who attends an open apartment viewing - only to find herself in a hostage situation. Pictures of filming reveal the area has been transformed into the fictional location of 'Midwood Town' during the festive period with Christmas trees, fake polar bears and snow.
While Jolie is by far the biggest name to be spotted in Canary Wharf, the film also stars Aimee Lou Wood (best known for playing Chelsea in White Lotus) and Jason Segel (who played Marshall Eriksen in the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother) as well as BAFTA-winning actress Jessica Gunning of Baby Reindeer fame. The Hollywood icon has been pictured on set with her 24-year-old actor son, Maddox Jolie-Pitt.
(Image:Getty Images)2 of 10 A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) with Lupita Nyong’o
Scenes set in New York's financial district in this apocalyptic horror film were actually shot in Canary Wharf, which was used as a double for Manhattan during an alien invasion, with filming taking place at North Colonnade and One Canada Square - which happens to be home to Mirror Towers!
Starring Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave and Black Panther) and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things and Gladiator II) the film follows the story of a group of survivors trying to find safety after New York City comes under attack. They soon learn that they must remain absolutely silent as the mysterious creatures are drawn to the slightest sound.
These actors aren’t the only stars of the show - tuxedo cats Nico and Schnitzel joined the cast as ideal companions because they are silent predators. Lupita even underwent ‘cat therapy’ to overcome her fear of felines for her role and ended up adopting Nico, who played Frodo.
(Image:Paramount Pictures/Gareth Gatrell. All Rights Reserved)3 of 10 Andor (2022–present) with Diego Luna
The Star Wars prequel series Andor was filmed in Canary Wharf with the Adam's Plaza Bridge standing in for the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) headquarters in Coruscant. And Canary Wharf Underground station was also used for scenes in Rogue One.
The distinctive architecture of Canary Wharf was used to represent the Imperial setting, with the cityscape itself being computer-generated to create the illusion of a bustling city planet. The modern design of Canary Wharf provided the harsh, imposing feel that was ideal for the Galactic Empire's headquarters.
Diego Luna plays the title character, Cassian Andor, and also serves as an executive producer for the series. He is also known for his role as the drug trafficker Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico.
4 of 10 Brave New World (2020) with Demi Moore
TV series Brave New World was shot in Canary Wharf, with the tube standing in for Epsilon Train Station for the show. The production also used other filming locations across London, including the Sky Garden and Wembley Stadium.
The striking futuristic architecture of Canary Wharf, particularly the station, was used to represent the utopian society of New London in the series. But although Canary Wharf is a highlight, many of the scenes were filmed in Wales including Llanharan’s Dragon Film Studios and a beach scene in Pembrey.
The story is based on the bestselling book of the same name and is often compared to George Orwell's 1984, which is also set in dystopian London. Alden Ehrenreich plays the central role of John the Savage and is known for his starring role in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Demi Moore (Ghost and A Few Good Men), also has a prominent role as Linda, John's mother.
(Image:Steve Schofield/Peacock)
5 of 10 Men in Black: International (2019) with Emma Thompson
Canary Wharf tube station stole the limelight again - this time when it was used for scenes involving the M.I.B.'s London offices. The primary filming location was the Jubilee line station, which was used to portray the MIB HQ in London, where Agent M travels from New York.
The large, unique glass roof and the distinctive escalators of the station are visible in the film. Besides Canary Wharf, other locations in London, such as St Paul's Cathedral, were also used for filming. It also had a star-studded cast - with Chris Hemsworth (best known for playing Thor) and Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie in Thor), leading the cast as Agents H and M.
Liam Neeson also stars as High T, the head of the MIB London branch, and Emma Thompson reprised her role as Agent O.
(Image:© 2018 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY.)6 of 10 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) with Felicity Jones
In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction. But did you know Canary Wharf station served as the Scarif Imperial Security Complex?
The station's sleek design and distinctive lighting were enhanced with computer-generated imagery to create a futuristic atmosphere and give it a more Star Wars aesthetic. The station appears in a tense scene where Jyn Erso - played by Felicity Jones - and her companion K-2SO are on the run behind enemy lines.
Before her leading role in Rogue One, Jones was best known for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Jane Hawking in the 2014 biographical drama The Theory of Everything, which earned her an Academy Award nomination.
(Image:PA)7 of 10 28 Weeks Later (2007) with Idris Elba
Canary Wharf was used to depict a London ravaged by a zombie apocalypse. The underground station, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and London City Airport were all used in the post-apocalyptic horror film featuring Robert Carlyle and Idris Elba.
In fact, 28 Weeks Later was filmed extensively in Canary Wharf, which served as the ‘safe zone’ in the movie's plot and as the main location for many scenes. The area's high-rise buildings and location on the Isle of Dogs provided an ideal site, offering good surveillance opportunities for the army. Filming also took place at other London locations, including Charing Cross, the Millennium Bridge and Trafalgar Square.
8 of 10 Love Actually (2003) with Colin Firth and Rowan Atkinson
London comes to life in this iconic Christmas movie where the magic of the capital city shines on screen. And the iconic Jubilee line tube station is where Colin Firth's character Jamie practises Portuguese while travelling on the escalators.
Love Actually was filmed at over 20 locations - many of them in London - including the OXO Tower and South Bank, Heathrow airport and around Camberwell, Putney and Notting Hill, as well as Selfridges on Oxford Street.
Who can forget the scene at Selfridges where Alan Rickman's character, Harry, painfully purchases a necklace for his secretary, Mia, with an annoying gift-wrapping assistant, played by Rowan Atkinson? The scene was filmed inside Selfridges, where Harry and Emma Thompson's character, Karen, met.
(Image:2003 Universal Studios)9 of 10 Black Doves with Keira Knightly
Parts of the Netflix series Black Doves were filmed in Canary Wharf, including a high-stakes chase in Cabot Square and inside the Jubilee Place Shopping Centre during the festive season.
The series follows Helen Webb - played by Keira Knightley - a devoted wife and mother who secretly works as a professional spy for the covert organisation the Black Doves. Following a dangerous incident involving the Chinese, Helen flees on foot after her vehicle is disabled by traffic and finds temporary refuge in a shopping centre.
Most of episode 5’s chase sequence was filmed in London’s financial district with other scenes filmed in Spitalfields, at the Southbank and real London pubs like the Coal House in Covent Garden.
(Image:Stefania Rosini/Netflix)10 of 10 Batman Begins (2005) with Christian Bale
Some scenes of Batman Begins were filmed in Canary Wharf, including one at the Plateau restaurant in Canada Square where Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) bumps into Rachel Dawes, played by Katie Holmes.
The star-studded cast also included Michael Caine and Liam Neeson. Sadly the French-style restaurant closed permanently in July 2023 after Covid caused a decrease in visitors.
The modern and futuristic architecture of Canary Wharf also provided the ideal setting for the film's portrayal of Gotham City's financial district, which was a core element of Gotham's corporate landscape.