There are so many lovely things to look at in Netflix’s new show Vladimir. Starring Rachel Weisz as a married English professor who develops a sexually-charged crush on her new younger colleague, this is a series that confronts middle-age lust and desire with steamy, NSFW candour. As such, the camera routinely guides our eyes towards the sculpted calves of said crush, played by Leo Woodall, or the toned bodies of the younger (allegedly hotter) women that Weisz’s character envies. In her fantasy sequences, there are close-ups of Woodall’s hands sliding up her thighs, gripping her breasts, fingers sliding into mouths. Titillating stuff.
But wait, what’s that in the background? Although we’ve been gripped by Vladimir’s portrayal of mid-life sexuality, we can’t help but notice the idyllic scenery in the background, from the lush greenery to the to-die-for architecture. Adapted from Julia May Jonas’ 2022 novel of the same name, Vladimir’s location scouts managed to find filming spots that convey suburban bliss without the stuffiness, providing a delightfully charming backdrop for Weisz’s erotic daydreams. Who knew that sexual transgression could look so picturesque?
Vladimir filming locations
Although Vladimir is set in the fictional town of Stillcrest in upstate New York, filming took place in Ontario, Canada, over summer last year. The production crew’s main base was in the Greater Toronto Area, but the actual filming locations spread far and wide, from the university campus to the rural areas that set the scene. Here’s the lowdown on each spot.
To accurately capture life on campus, the cast and crew travelled to east Toronto where they set up base in a real-life university. It’s easy to see why. The University of Toronto Scarborough's Andrew Building received international praise for its design when it was first built in 1964, thanks to its striking brutalist architecture. Other buildings on-site lean into a more modernist vibe, providing a refreshing contrast to the vibrant trees and foliage that surround the grounds. Whether intentional or not, that tension between old and new directly reflects Vladimir’s plot, adding a deeper layer to scenes shot at the university.
A small town about an hour away from the Niagara Falls, Halton Hills has it all, from stunning hiking routes to cosy cafés. AKA: a no-brainer for any location scout. This area served as the backdrop for many of Vladimir’s transition shots, as the camera pans over the town’s idyllic natural beauty. Local businesses were called upon to help, too – namely, Kit’s Little Kitchen, which was transformed into Charlotte Haze Bakery. If you’ve already seen the show, you’ll know this is the location of some of Vladimir’s crucial scenes, serving up as much drama as it does delicious cake.
Just a stone’s throw from Halton Hills, the city of Mississauga also provided eye candy in many of Vladimir’s scenic shots. Sitting on the north shore of Ontario Lake, Mississauga is another hot-spot for nature lovers, a place that somehow manages to balance the bustle of urban life with the tranquility of its 480 parks and Lakefront Promenade, complete with a sandy beach and yacht club.
Multiple locations were used to bring Stillcrest University to life, including the Former Brantford City Hall, situated in the southwestern town from which it gets its name. Another brutalist structure built in the 1960s, this was the perfect complimentary location to University of Toronto Scarborough, with most of the filming taking place inside. Think: scenes where the professors are in their offices or meeting rooms. While the building used to be home to the Brantford City Council, it’s now become a popular filming location for a wide range of TV shows including The Boys, while the city itself has been home to The Handmaid’s Tale and Schitt’s Creek.
