Lithuanian production company Baltic Film Services, together with the British company Sid Gentle Films are currently filming a new six-part television series Honey in Lithuania.
Set in 1980s East Berlin, the series follows a young, ambitious British spy living and working amid political tension, counterintelligence operations, and dangerous personal relationships. As filming continues in the Lithuanian capital, Honey producer Christopher Hall shares his experience of working in Vilnius.
It is not the first time the producer visits Lithuania. Twenty years ago, Vilnius was considered as a filming location for the BBC series Archangel, starring Daniel Craig.
“We needed to recreate the Soviet Union, but at that time Vilnius already felt too European, so we had to film elsewhere,” Hall recalls.
This time, he returned with the series that will transform Vilnius into East Berlin.
“The story blends several genres – there are elements of comedy, a love triangle, and moments of real danger. However, I believe audiences will be most drawn to the relationships between the main characters,” Hall says.
According to the producer, Lithuania stands out for its diverse locations, attractive tax incentives, and highly skilled film crews. The team consisted of 145 professionals, 130 of whom were Lithuanian.
“We brought only a very small team from the UK – the producer, director, cinematographer, script supervisor, a stand-by art director, and German costume and art specialists, as we needed people deeply familiar with the East Berlin period. The rest of the crew is Lithuanian. We have great confidence in the local professionals: many of them have worked together on previous projects, they know each other well, and there’s a strong sense of teamwork – it feels a bit like a family.”
Honey was filmed in Vilnius districts such as Naujamiestis and Lazdynai, as well as the Vilnius Palace of Culture, Entertainment and Sports, among other locations across the capital. Vilnius will host 57 filming days, while around 15 days will be spent in other Lithuanian cities. Filming also took place in Kaunas, Klaipėda, and Palanga, while many interior scenes have been shot in studios.
“Vilnius is a very modern city, and sometimes it can be challenging to hide contemporary details. However, we found some remarkable locations here. For example, the Vilnius Palace of Culture, Entertainment and Sports – a striking building that we used as a large bridal shop, as well as secret police offices, interrogation rooms, and corridors,” Hall explains.
The project is being delivered by an award-winning creative team behind internationally acclaimed series such as Killing Eve, The Durrells, and Extraordinary. The premiere of Honey is scheduled for 2026 on BBC and ZDF.
