Why 'The Lazarus Project' season two returned to Bristol to film

The Lazarus Project season two starring Paapa Essiedu is out now on Sky Max and streaming service NOW, having called Bristol its production home for its second season. 

UK Newport-based production company Urban Myth Films returned to Bristol to film the eight-part second series between October 2022 and February 2023, with Bristol doubling for London and Eastern Europe.  

"Bristol always has incredible visual production value," says series two producer Benjamin Greenacre. "The Lazarus Project is primarily set in London but Bristol has the scale and variation to be the most likely place to find suitable options. The Crescent on Canon’s Way, a prominent building near the docks, also doubled for Eastern Europe.

"The ease with which the Film Office and Highways Dept dealt with our request to close a major road for a stunt-laden car chase helped turn what could have been an utter headache into a highly effective and excellent-looking night of filming."

Urban Myth Films head of production Darren Green adds: "The majority of our filming was shot in and around Bristol, which provided the majority of our London location requirements. We actually only went to London once to shoot very obvious London scenes.

"We also filmed in France and Morocco for a short stint. Having worked on six shows for Urban Myth Films, I find that a lot of the areas around Bristol give us the large scale buildings London has, without having to shoot in London. Unless an iconic London building is required in shot, it is good to use Bristol for filming our exteriors."

The show follows the Lazarus team who, when the world locks into a never-ending time loop that will ultimately end with the planet’s complete extinction, must race against time to find a solution before humanity is wiped out forever. Among their number is resolute Lazarus agent, George (Essiedu), who’s been left in disgrace after betraying the organisation in the name of love.

George is determined to redeem himself and win back the trust of his friends, colleagues, and the love of his life. But when he discovers that the cause he’s fighting is more sinister than it appears, George begins to suspect that the only person he can really trust is himself.

Bristol Film Office assisted filming, including shutting roads, at a range of locations in Easton, the Old City, Central Bristol, Fishponds, St Paul’s, Bedminster and Clifton.