This November, Kaunas once again stepped into the international spotlight, transforming into a large-scale film set.
British and Norwegian crews have taken over its central streets and façades for the upcoming six-part television series Honey, set in the politically charged world of East Berlin in the 1980s. The show’s producer – acclaimed British filmmaker Christopher Hall – says he was immediately captivated by Kaunas’ interwar architecture.
Kaunas is no stranger to major productions. The city has hosted the filming of the Lithuanian historical drama Emilija iš Laisvės alėjos (Emilia, 2017) and later the award-winning HBO and Sky series Chernobyl. In 2021, during the Berlin International Film Festival, Kaunas received additional recognition when the Pažaislis Church and Monastery ensemble was named Europe’s Best Filming Location of 2020.
The series follows a young, ambitious British spy navigating a city marked by political tension, counterintelligence and dangerous relationships. Hall – whose previous credits include The Durrells, Bloodlands and Day of the Jackal – is leading the production. One of his most recognised works, The Lost World, featured Peter Falk, Bob Hoskins, James Fox and Matthew Rhys.
Hall, who has worked in South Africa, New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia, Canada and beyond, explains that the team was searching for authentic locations that could stand in for 1980s East Berlin. Kaunas, he says, offered exactly what they needed.
“Kaunas flourished in the interwar years. Its architecture is truly unique. The streets and façades here are wonderful. It is a remarkable city. I love interwar architecture. In the series, we will transform Laisvės Alėja into a period street. We have the old cars, and the setting is perfect. I doubt we could achieve this anywhere else in the world. Working in different countries and cities is always a pleasure.
“We face challenges every day, of course – but good planning makes everything easier. We always say we have the best crew. We learn from one another, we know what we want to achieve and the final result never disappoints,” Hall says.
Location scouting for Honey began at the start of summer. Filming is now taking place in three Lithuanian cities – Kaunas, Vilnius and Klaipėda – all of which, according to Hall, share striking similarities with Berlin.
Although the main cast consists of British actors, the series will feature strong Lithuanian involvement. Hall says he is delighted to work with more local actors than usual, made possible by Lithuania’s expanding screen industry.
He also reveals that nearly 80 percent of the series’ total budget will be spent in Lithuania – a result of both financial incentives and the country’s diverse filming locations.
“Lithuania is an excellent place to film – creatively and financially. It is a mutually beneficial process. Productions like this expand international visibility, and people who discover your beautiful country will naturally want to visit. It is a very organic cycle,” he says.
Honey is being developed by the award-winning team behind Killing Eve, The Durrells and Extraordinary. The series is set to premiere on BBC and ZDF in 2026 – an important project that will showcase Kaunas, Vilnius and Klaipėda as distinctive filming locations to millions of viewers worldwide, enhancing the visibility of Lithuania’s cultural and creative industries.
