The BBC drama Two Weeks in August, which follows a group of university friends on a Greek island holiday that turns into a nightmare, was actually filmed in Malta, not Greece. Creator Catherine Shepherd explained that logistical challenges prevented shooting in Greece, but Malta proved an excellent substitute.
Shepherd told Radio Times that Malta's dramatic landscape and ancient history made it ideal for the story, describing the island as 'a character in its own right; it is beautiful, but a bit dangerous.' The show was filmed in early March, with cast members recalling unexpectedly cold weather.
Jessica Raine, who plays Zoe, said she 'had never been so cold in my entire life' during the shoot, despite having previously filmed in Iceland. She revealed that the cast wore thermals under summer clothes and used hot water bottles for a birthday party scene. The weather later improved, and she praised the stunning locations, particularly on Gozo.
Key filming sites include Dwejra Bay on Gozo, where dramatic cliff-side scenes were shot. This location was previously used for Daenerys Targaryen's wedding in Game of Thrones. Another Gozo spot, Mġarr ix-Xini, featured in the first episode and is a popular tourist destination.
Damien Molony, who stars as Dan, noted that the first day of filming took place at Dwejra Bay. He praised the Maltese crew and the island's history, saying, 'It's an amazing island in the middle of nowhere, with so much history.'
Although set in Greece, the decision to film in Malta was driven by practical considerations. Shepherd added that her inspiration came from real-life group holidays in Greece, including a memorable incident in Corfu where gunfire was heard across the water, highlighting the contrast between holiday bliss and real-world troubles.
