Where is Netflix’s Vladimir set? Filming locations revealed

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?

Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix

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.

University of Toronto Scarborough

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.