Where Was Reign Filmed? Get Ready For The Royal Drama Series Of 2013!!

Do you enjoy watching historical drama series, like most of us? There is something mysteriously alluring about the royal memoirs, isn’t it? Well, if you find yourself to be captivated as well, be sure to check this article, where I discuss the drama series, Reign. And also let you in on where was Reign filmed.

The historical drama series, Reign, released in 2013 was created by Stephanie Sengupta and Laurie McCarthy. The television series aired on The CW channel, and immediately captured the attention of the mass. The main story of the show revolves around Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scotland. Adelaide Kane can be seen playing the central character and portraying the life of the Queen of Scotland, in the show.

Reign has a total of 4 seasons with 20 episodes averaging per season. The series ended in 2017, with the same positive response and praise as it received from the audience, upon its release in 2013. During this time, Reign received 21 nominations and won 4 prestigious awards in total. 

Now let’s briefly discuss the plot of the series. So that you can get a better idea about the basic premise! And shortly after I will also share with you where was Reign filmed.

Plot Of Reign | What’s It About

The pilot season of Reign, set in 1557, introduces us to the central character Mary Stuart, who is shown as a young teenager at the time. The female lead is portrayed as quite a  schemer for a girl of her age! As she deftly persuades the courtmen in not believing a prophecy that says, Crown Prince Francis would die if he is to marry her. 

Mary and Francis are shown to be promised for marriage, since the age of six, but Francis’ mother Catherine de’ Medici has other plans for her son. Midway through season 2 and 3, after the demise of the French monarch, King Henry II, Francis and Mary are annexed as the King and Queen of France and Scotland respectively. The royal couple are shown to fend off the enemies of the crown, but Francis’ untimely death leaves Mary imperiled.

The final season of Reign, portrays the return of the Queen of Scotland as she tussles with her distant cousin Queen Elizabeth I of England, to regain power and position. Mary is shown to have devised shrewd yet astute plans to cease back the throne, and bring justice to her people.

The show comes to an end after the female lead is shown to marry Lord Darnley, while Catherine still manages to come to grips with her mentally deranged son in France. Now, we will check out where was Reign filmed. So that you can relish the heavenly filming sites, that were used for shooting this historical drama series!

Where Was Reign Filmed? Let’s Know The Historical Series Closely!

Creators of Reign, Laurie McCarthy and Stephanie Sengupta along with other directors of the first season, decided to film in Canada and Ireland. Even though most of the scenes in the show take place in Scotland, the production team refrained from shooting at this location. It was because of the production cost and the absence of filming permissions for the castles that the team scouted.

Nonetheless, the filming locations in Canada and Ireland, did not hamper the overlook of the show. In Fact some would say, the decision to film at this location turned out to be even better. The historical sites that were used for shooting in Dublin emerged as beautiful as they get! While parts of Oshawa in Ontario were used to mimic the Scottish lush highlands.

The principal photography of the show began in the early months of 2013 and was completed in about three months for season 1. But soon after the production crew picked up pace after getting familiar with location, and completed filming in lesser time for the following seasons.

Now it’s the time for us to find Reign season 1 filming locations.

County Mayo, Dublin | Republic Of Ireland 

The opening scene of the series features the outdoor scene of the medieval Ashford Castle, located in County Mayo. The magnificent castle situated in the province of Connacht, presently is taken over by a chain of hotels, who have turned it into a luxury destination spot. 

Naturally, the production unit had to seek for special permissions from the board of directors of the hotel, for allowing them to shoot. Which was in fact agreed upon, at a reasonable price, considering the history and aristocracy the place reflects.

The production nearly took 8-9 days to recreate the 16th century look and film the exterior part of the hotel. However the interior sequences did not require any special arrangements, as most of the fixtures and furnishings inside the castle were not drastically changed. Thus creating a perfect look of the late medieval age.

Other notable scenes in Ireland were filmed in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, located at Christchurch in Dublin. The production was prior intimated about the do’s and don’ts while filming at this place of reverence. The production unit filmed some interior at this location, with extra caution and care.

You can also check out other great films and shows such as The O’briens, The Quiet Man and The Tudors which were also filmed at locations in the Republic of Ireland.

Ontario, Canada

The city of Oshawa in Canada’s Ontario province, was where the other half of the show was filmed. Locations such as Parkwood Estate were used to film the other scenes portraying the castle of Mary Stuart. 

The indoor scenes of the Estate were required to look like the sequences filmed in Ashwood Castle. Thus the production team came up with props and fixtures to recreate the interiors. Other outdoor sequences, like the cove scene where Mary is shown to return from France and goes out with Francis, were filmed in Rockwood Conservation Area in Ontario.

Finally after completing the shoot at the filming locations, the crew arrived at Cinespace Studios. To recreate the remaining scenes that required to be filmed in a set! Here are some world famous places in Ontario such as Niagara Falls, Algonquin Provincial Park, Kingston, and Niagara-on-the-lake that you can surely visit and create fond memories about.

Final Words

Ok guys, now that you’ve gone through the basic storyline of the series and know where was Reign filmed. I hope you’ve found the information you were looking for! But in case you read other articles about the latest films and shows. Be sure to visit Viebly to know where to watch  them and the whole nine yards! 

Until next time, peace out!