A starry location for actors

The Old Royal Naval College has long been associated with some of the most influential figures in history, from Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to Sir Christopher Wren and Admiral Lord Nelson. In more recent years, however, it has also become synonymous with a different kind of illustrious name. Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Cate Blanchett and Dame Judy Dench are just a few of the actors who have brought its courtyards, colonnades and grand interiors to life on screen.

What draws filmmakers repeatedly to the Old Royal Naval College is not simply its architectural beauty, but the way its history, scale and atmosphere actively shape performances and storytelling. Time and again, actors have spoken about how filming on location here removes the need for artifice, allowing the setting itself to become a powerful creative collaborator.

During the filming of Channel 4’s documentary ‘Shakespeare, My Family and Me’, Oscar‑winning actor Dame Judy Dench visited the extraordinary Painted Hall. Reflecting on the films she has made on location at the Old Royal Naval College – Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), Skyfall (2012) and Victoria & Abdul (2017). She spoke about the rare quality of historic places that do not merely serve as a backdrop but instead command attention in their own right. The site, she noted, can become the true “scene stealer”, with Greenwich offering filmmakers what she described as “a feast for the eyes”.

Cate Blanchett echoed this sentiment having filmed at the Old Royal Naval College for two films, Charlotte Gray (2001) and later for Disney’s Cinderella (2015), in which the Painted Hall was transformed for scenes featuring Blanchett’s Wicked Stepmother. Speaking about her experience of working on location, she emphasised how historic environments offer something that cannot be replicated in a studio.

“I have had the great fortune of being in a couple of films shot here at the Old Royal Naval College,” Blanchett explained, while filming ‘Sandy Powell: Dressing the Art’. “There’s one thing: you don’t need to suspend disbelief at all when you are here as an actor. All of the atmosphere, all of the texture is given to you.”

For Blanchett, the sensory reality of the space such as the echoes in the room and the scale, directly feeds into performance. “These things you don’t get in a studio, that you have to put on afterwards. They are here; it transports you back immediately,” she said. She also highlighted the cinematic look of the site, describing it as “so recognisable” and rich with visual possibilities. “Once you have been here, you can see so many ways you can shoot it.”

Perhaps most significantly, Blanchett spoke about the “living, breathing history” embedded in the buildings and grounds and how it invites audiences to recognise that these places exist beyond the screen, places they can visit, explore and experience for themselves.

It is this combination of authenticity, atmosphere and visual power that continues to make the Old Royal Naval College such a compelling location for filmmakers and an inspiring backdrop for actors.

Visitors can explore the location’s fascinating history and discover behind-the-scenes insights through our guided tours celebrating its role in film and TV history. Whether you’re a film buff, history lover, or just curious to see where some of your favourite scenes were shot, the Old Royal Naval College offers an unforgettable experience.