9th April 2025
Film Critic: Gangs of London
When Gangs of London hit screens in 2020, it wasn’t just another crime drama—it was a full-throttle explosion of stylised violence, gritty storytelling, and cinematic ambition. Created by Gareth Evans, the mind behind The Raid films, and Matt Flannery, the show took the well-worn gangster genre and pumped it full of adrenaline, giving us something that felt both operatic and ultraviolent, yet grounded in human emotion and moral complexity.
With the recent release of season 3, Gangs of London has grown in scope and ambition, expanding its cast of characters and deepening the criminal underworld it portrays. But what truly sets it apart—beyond its compelling characters and visceral action sequences—is its use of real-world London as a living, breathing backdrop to the chaos.
Although much of the series takes place in a version of London that's drenched in neon and blood, not all of it was actually filmed in the city itself. In fact, many scenes were shot in other parts of the UK — particularly Wales — thanks to tax incentives and the flexibility of creating sets from scratch. But don’t worry: plenty of iconic London backdrops do make an appearance.
1. London Skyline & Exteriors
You’ll notice stunning aerial shots of the London skyline, featuring landmarks like The Shard, the Gherkin, and Canary Wharf. These shots ground the series in the capital and set the tone for a story rooted in power, control, and legacy.
2. Cardiff: The Unsung Star of the Show
Much of Gangs of London was actually filmed in Cardiff, Wales. The production team used Cardiff to double for London in many scenes. Why? Well, Cardiff offers a diverse architectural palette — from gritty industrial sites to sleek, modern towers — and it’s far more cost-effective than shutting down central London for high-octane action sequences.
3. The Wallace Family Estate
One of the central locations is the home of the Wallace family — the crime dynasty at the heart of the show. The mansion’s interiors and exteriors weren’t a real home in London but were filmed at:
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Margam Castle, Port Talbot: A dramatic 19th-century Gothic mansion in Wales, it was transformed into the palatial home of the Wallaces. The dark wood interiors and foreboding architecture gave the perfect vibe for a family built on blood and betrayal. CH-9375 in West Yorkshire is a really similar location that's available to hire for location filming too.
4. The Tower Block Fight Scene
Possibly the most iconic sequence in Season 1 is the jaw-dropping tower block fight from episode 5. This scene — a masterclass in tension and choreography — wasn’t filmed in London at all.
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Barry, South Wales served as the stand-in for this epic set piece. A derelict apartment complex was heavily modified to accommodate the stunt work, wire rigs, and explosive action.
5. The Far Right Farmhouse (Season 2)
In Season 2, the show expands beyond London, including rural hideouts and strongholds. One memorable location is the farmhouse where the far-right group stages operations.
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These rural scenes were filmed in the Vale of Glamorgan, offering a creepy, isolated aesthetic that sharply contrasts with the urban chaos of the city scenes.
6. Underground Fight Clubs & Warehouses
The seedy underbelly of London’s crime world comes to life in dimly lit warehouses and fight clubs.
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These grungy environments were often filmed in abandoned warehouses and industrial estates. Amazing Space Locations provided one of these gritty warehouses in the form of COM-9200 in East London.
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Some scenes were shot inside disused train depots and shipyards, giving them an authentic rawness that soundstage sets often lack.
Why Cardiff Works So Well for “London”
You might be wondering: why not just film everything in London? It comes down to a few key reasons:
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Budget: London is expensive. Shooting permits, street closures, and logistics add up fast.
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Creative Control: Building sets in studios (like those in Cardiff) lets directors like Gareth Evans choreograph insane fight scenes without interruption.
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Visual Versatility: Cardiff and surrounding areas offer a surprising range of looks — from city slick to countryside grim — all within a short drive.
Gangs of London may be named after the capital, but its true filming footprint stretches far beyond the city limits. Through a combination of clever set design, location scouting, and cinematic sleight of hand, the production team created a world that feels authentically London — even when it’s made in Wales.
Whether it’s a mansion in Port Talbot, a pub in Cardiff, or a skyline shot in central London, every location serves the story’s mood: dark, dangerous, and always on the edge.