Where was The Rig season 2 filmed? All filming locations explored

The Rig season 2, helmed by John Strickland, is a suspenseful thriller series taking place in the North Sea. The series showcases a talented cast headed by Martin Compston, Emily Hampshire, and Iain Glen. Season 2 carries on the story presented in the initial season. The series is available solely on Amazon Prime Video, which has garnered interest for its narrative and visuals.

The Rig season 2 has generated interest in the locations where the show’s new episodes are filmed. The series persists in examining incidents occurring amid the sprawling reaches of the North Sea. Viewers are excited to discover the shooting sites that helped shape the atmosphere of the series' second season.

The Rig season 2 was shot at multiple sites in Scotland. Although a significant portion of the production concentrated on studio efforts to simulate the oil rig environment, actual locations were also used to depict the essential landscapes and coastal scenes critical to the narrative.

The production crew went back to Scotland, the location of the first season's filming, to maintain consistency in the series' visual storytelling.

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Primary filming locations of The Rig season 2

1) FirstStage Studios, Edinburgh

Edinburgh in December - Source: Getty The Port of Leith With an Island Ferry Arriving by William Daniell - Source: Getty

Much of The Rig season 2 was filmed at FirstStage Studios in Edinburgh. The studio provided the space for constructing sets that mimic an oil rig's isolated and confined environment. This location allowed the production team to control lighting, weather effects, and other elements contributing to the narrative.

Some scenes were filmed using controlled water tanks and visual effects at FirstStage Studios to replicate the North Sea's conditions. This approach ensured the series remained authentic while adhering to production safety standards. Combined with real footage of the North Sea, these simulations brought the environment to life on screen.

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2) Port of Leith, Edinburgh

Cross-channel Ferries Laid Up In Leith - Source: Getty

The Port of Leith, located in Edinburgh, also played a role in filming The Rig season 2. This industrial area served as a backdrop for some of the outdoor sequences, capturing the maritime essence of the storyline. The port’s architecture and proximity to the sea provided visuals for scenes that extend beyond the oil rig.

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3) Scottish Highlands

Stag Stalking In The Scottish Highlands - Source: Getty

The landscapes of the Scottish Highlands were used to film certain sequences in The Rig season 2. Although specific spots within the Highlands have not been disclosed, their inclusion emphasizes the contrast between the rig’s confined spaces and the vast wilderness.

Scotland’s role as the primary filming location for The Rig continues to be significant for the local film industry. Martin Compston, one of the series’ lead actors, expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Scotland during an interview with Edinburgh Live on August 15, 2024, stating:

“It’s really special. Scotland has always been a great location for film and television but to be involved in something shot entirely in Scotland is really special.”

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What we know about The Rig season 2

The Rig season 2, released on January 2, 2024, picks up where the first season left off. According to the official synopsis, the new season will explore the aftermath of the Kinloch Bravo crew’s discoveries and delve deeper into the environmental and supernatural forces at work. The crew must navigate new challenges as they try to uncover the truth behind the events on the rig.

As reported in a Deadline article published on October 10, 2024, new cast members include Alice Krige, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Ross Anderson, and Johannes Roaldsen Fürst. This season also changes the setting, taking the workers to an Arctic glacier.

The Rig season 2 is directed by John Strickland, with David Macpherson as the creator and writer. The production team includes producer Suzanne Reid and executive producers Derek Wax and John Strickland.

Wild Mercury Productions produced the second season in association with Amazon Studios. The collaboration between the creative team and Scotland’s film industry continues to play a significant role in bringing the series to life.

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Recap of The Rig season 1

The Rig season 1 introduced viewers to the Kinloch Bravo oil rig crew stationed in the North Sea. The series followed the crew as they experienced unusual environmental changes, including a dense fog that cut off all communication with the mainland. These events were accompanied by unexpected physical phenomena such as tremors and rig structure changes.

The crew’s investigations uncovered links to deep-sea drilling operations and the potential release of ancient, previously unknown biological entities. This led to tensions among the crew as they struggled to interpret these occurrences and their implications for the rig’s operations.

The season ended on a cliffhanger, with the crew facing critical decisions and unresolved mysteries, setting the stage for season 2 to continue the narrative.

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The filming locations of The Rig season 2 build on the first season, combining studio work and real-world settings to deliver a narrative grounded in its environment.

From the controlled environment of FirstStage Studios to the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, each location contributes to the series’ storytelling. As the second season unfolds, these backdrops will play a role in the narrative.