Unveiling the Epic Sci-Fi Series 'Invasion': Exclusive Insider Insights on its Breathtaking Filming Locations!
Discover the captivating filming locations of the thrilling sci-fi series, Invasion From the bustling streets of New York and enchanting Greenwich in London to the exotic landscapes of Morocco and Japan, prepare to be transported across the globe Additionally, the picturesque settings of Kent and London in England and the breathtaking vistas of South Africa add to the show's visual splendor Explore Invasion's diverse and mesmerizing filming destinations
Summary
Invasion season 2 returned on August 23, 2023, after a successful first season, and the cast and crew filmed in multiple locations worldwide.
The show was filmed in various locations such as New York City, London, Morocco, Japan, Kent, and South Africa. The production team employed real-life settings to portray different characters' perspectives on the alien invasion, highlighting the show's diverse story and global filming locations.
Invasion, a science fiction drama television series created by Simon Kinberg and David Weil, premiered its second season on August 23, 2023. With a successful first season in late 2021, we're taking a closer look at the filming locations used by the cast and crew throughout both seasons. This Apple TV+ series delves into the diverse perspectives of an alien invasion on Earth, taking viewers across continents from Asia to North America. Given the international scope of the show, it's no surprise that production took place in various locations around the world.
The cast of Invasion features Golshifteh Farahani as Aneesha Malik, Shamier Anderson as Trevante Cole, Shioli Kutsuna as Mitsuki Yamato, Firas Nassar as Ahmed Malik, Billy Barratt as Caspar Morrow, India Brown as Jamila Huston, Paddy Holland as Monty Cuttermill, Azhy Robertson as Luke Malik, Tara Moayedi as Sarah Malik, and Sam Neill as Sheriff Jim Bell Tyson. Enver Gjokaj as Clark Evans, Nedra Marie Taylor as Rose Callaway, and Naian González Norvind as Maya Castillo joined the main cast in season 2. Due to the series' wide range of settings, many of these characters have limited interactions and some actors never share scenes as the filming of Invasion took place in different countries.
New York, United States
Greenwich, London, England
The filming of Apple TV+'s Invasion season 1 took place in the lively city of New York, USA. As reported by The Cinemaholic, Aneesha and Ahmed Malik's scenes were specifically filmed in and around the Big Apple, reflecting their characters' residence in Long Island, New York. In addition to showcasing the characters' perspectives on the alien invasion and their crumbling marriage, the show extensively utilized exterior shots of New York City and its surrounding areas throughout the first season.
London, England served as a significant setting for Invasion's season 1 storyline. It played a crucial role due to the presence of Caspar Morrow, a teenage protagonist who played a pivotal part in ending the alien occupation on Earth. Consequently, a majority of Caspar's scenes were filmed in the city. According to The Cinemaholic, the production chose Greenwich, one of the boroughs of London, as the filming location for the teenager's sequences. Greenwich became one of the final destinations for filming season 1 after a production halt in March 2020 caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Hence, the shooting in England took place in February and March 2021.
Morocco
One of the key characters in the show, Trevante Cole, is an American citizen who discovered his calling as a soldier deployed in Afghanistan during Invasion season 1. Due to logistical constraints, the show's production team couldn't film Trevante and his team's scenes in the actual Middle Eastern country. Instead, like many other movies and TV shows, they opted to shoot in different locations in Morocco.
The country's desolate landscapes perfectly resemble a war zone, making it ideal to replicate Afghanistan's backdrop. As a result, the location scouts for Invasion selected Morocco as the setting for Trevante's scenes in the television series. This choice was not unique, as numerous other renowned productions such as Heart of Stone, Game of Thrones, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, Gladiator, Inception, and many others have also utilized Morocco as a filming location.
Japan
Filmmakers of the Apple TV+ original series, Invasion, made it a global project by filming in Japan for the scenes featuring Mitsuki Yamato, a significant character in the show. As an employee in Japan's space program, Mitsuki's role is essential to the overall storyline. In season 1, Mitsuki's character embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind her girlfriend's death during a space mission. To capture her storyline, the production crew utilized various locations in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.
Kent, England
When the cast and crew returned for Invasion season 2, they ventured outside London to film some scenes for the new episodes in the United Kingdom. According to Ready Steady Cut, a portion of the second season was shot in Kent, England, with the production team traveling to various iconic locations such as the White Cliffs of Dover on the English coastline, the Upper Road in Dover, and the entrance to the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, which conveniently connects the United Kingdom to Europe. These picturesque spots were chosen to film a handful of captivating sequences that viewers will easily recognize when they appear during the second season of the Apple TV+ science fiction drama series.
London, England
In addition to shooting on location, the production team of Invasion season 2 also utilized the state-of-the-art OMA:X Film Studios in Enfield, North London. These studios proved essential for capturing scenes that were not possible to film elsewhere. While it remains uncertain which specific parts of the second season were shot there, the OMA:X Film Studios, the largest of its kind in London, England, have served as a prime filming location for numerous movies and television shows since its opening in 2021. Apart from Invasion season 2, acclaimed series such as The Crown and Peaky Blinders have also taken advantage of the studio's facilities in crafting their own episodes.
South Africa
In Invasion season 1, a few scenes were filmed in Morocco, North Africa. However, for season 2, the cast and crew opted for South Africa as the main location for shooting the majority of the episodes. According to Ready Steady Cut, all ten episodes of the second season were primarily filmed in South Africa. It is possible that the frequent changes between continents during season 1's production strained Apple TV+'s budget for the science fiction drama series. Consequently, the producers made the decision to reduce costs by taking advantage of the versatility offered by South Africa for filming most of Invasion season 2.
