Bill Nighy is a treat whenever he pops up on the silver screen, but he delivers an especially impactful performance in Living.
This 2022 film set in London sees Nighy play an aging public servant who suddenly rethinks his purpose in life after receiving grave news.
Also featuring Aimee Lou Wood, Tom Burke, and Alex Sharp, we’ve taken stock of the Living filming locations you can visit by train in and around London.
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics
What to know about Living with Billy Nighy
A small guide to the film Living featuring Billy Nighy, based on the 1952 Japanese film, Ikiru.
What is the plot of Living the movie?
Set in the 1950s, Living stars Bill Nighy Williams, an older man whose life revolves around his bureaucratic career and little else — until he’s diagnosed with a terminal illness. The news shakes him to his core, inspiring him to reflect on his rather unlived life, search for meaning, and ultimately create a legacy for future generations.
Is the film Living based on a true story?
Yes, though in a transitive way. Living is an English adaptation of the 1952 Japanese film Ikiru, or To Live. Ikiru is partially based on a novella written by Leo Tolstoy called The Death of Ivan Ilyich, which is about a high court judge who is suddenly confronted with his own mortality.
Is the film Living on Netflix?
Yes, the film Living is now on Netflix, but you have more options to stream it. It’s available to rent or buy on apps like Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.
How are the Living film reviews?
Living has stellar film reviews, currently sitting with scores of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81% on Metacritic, and 7.2/10 on IMDb. Casual audiences aren’t the only ones who loved the movie; critics have nominated it for 47 awards, including Oscars and BAFTAs. Living won 10, including a Camerimage Bronze Frog, an ALFS Award, an LAFCA Award, and an NBR Award.
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics
What steam railway was used in the film Living?
The Bluebell Railway was used in the film Living and was one of the first preserved heritage railway lines in the UK. These steam trains still run today, offering relaxing tours through the Sussex countryside between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead.
Where were the railway scenes in Living filmed?
Living’s railway scenes were filmed in two locations: Brighton and in London at Waterloo Station, specifically the London and South Western Railway Arch. We love when England’s railways look good for a global audience, and if you want to see them both, you can get from London Waterloo to Brighton in under 90 minutes.
Where was Living filmed in London?
Living was filmed throughout recognizable areas of London like Waterloo Station and London County Hall. Though production stayed in London for most of the shoot, other Living filming locations were shot in Chatham, Worthing, Brighton, and Guildford.
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics
Your guide to Living film locations
Living film locations in London and nearby.
London County Hall
Closest station: Waterloo
London County Hall was formally the headquarters of the London County Council. Williams works at County Hall in the public works department.
Brighton Railway Station
Closest station: Brighton
The Brighton Railway Station was where most of Living’s train station scenes were filmed.
Waterloo Station
Closest station: Waterloo
Waterloo train station is also featured in Living and is located directly across from London County Hall where Williams works.
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics
Lido Cafe
Closest station: Worthing
Located in Worthing, around 90 minutes from London by train, Lido Cafe sides on the waterside and is where Williams decided to spend his remaining time doing something other than his duties at the London County Council.
King’s Theatre
Closest station: Chatham
King’s Theatre in Chatham, another English town within an hour or fewer of London by train, is the spot where Williams and Margaret attend the cinema.
The Historic Chatham Dockyard
Closest station: Chatham
Some areas around The Historic Chatham Dockyard doubled as London locations, though this Living filming location is most significant as the bomb site that Williams wants to turn into a playground.
The Athenaeum
Closest station: Charing Cross
The Athenaeum Club is a club in London near St. James’s Palace. In Living, it took the cast back in time as the Fortnum & Mason department store where Williams and Margaret have tea together.
Get to these Living filming locations with ease via train. Download the Trainline app and purchase tickets to train stations across the UK and Europe, especially if you’re scouting other filming locations for movies and shows such as:
- Love Actually (featuring Bill Nighy’s iconic role)
- Queen Charlotte
- The Crown
- Paddington
- Ted Lasso
- V for Vendetta
Header Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics