TV fans are already excited about the upcoming five-part action-adventure series Atomic. Atomic Bazaar, a non-fiction book by William Langewiesche, is the basis for the show. It ‘s a thrilling mix of espionage, action and global stakes. Max (Alfie Allen) and JJ (Shazad Latif) are two regular people who get caught up in a cartel’s dangerous plan to smuggle uranium across North Africa. Their journey swiftly escalates into a crucial decision: should they prioritise their own safety or avert a nuclear disaster?
Directed by Shariff Korver and written by Gregory Burke, the series also stars Samira Wiley as Cassie Elliott. Produced by Pulse Films and Sky Studios, Atomic is scheduled to premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK on August 28, 2025. On NetFilming, we’ll explore the filming locations of Atomic and when its production took place.
Atomic Filming Locations
The entire series was filmed in Morocco, which is known in the movie business for its beautiful landscapes and cinematic appeal. Morocco was the perfect place for Atomic’s North African setting because it had everything from busy cities to giant deserts. The filming started in May 2024 & ended by the end of July 2024.
Morocco
The series was mostly filmed in Morocco. The production team got a natural sense of authenticity for the story’s high-stakes plot from the way it mixed deserts, mountains and historic cities. International filmmakers also like Morocco because it has a strong production infrastructure and many different places to shoot.
Fun fact: Morocco has been a popular place to film for years. Morocco is important to films worldwide, as evidenced by its use in famous movies like Gladiator, Inception, and Game of Thrones (specifically the scenes set in Astapor).
Casablanca, Morocco
The series filmed a lot in Casablanca, which is the biggest city in the country. Casablanca is known for its urban feel, modern ports and crowded neighbourhoods. It let the production recreate many North African settings without leaving the city. This place was perfect for showing busy markets, ports and border scenes that were important to the story.
Trivia: Casablanca is no stranger to Hollywood. Iconic films like Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Syriana have used this city for its realistic international look.
Moroccan Desert Areas
Key action sequences were filmed in Morocco’s desert regions. Even though the exact locations weren’t given, casting updates confirmed that filming ended in the desert by July 2024. The vast, rough terrain of Morocco’s deserts made for a dramatic and realistic setting for the story’s tense survival scenes and smuggling routes.
Trivia: Morocco’s deserts have frequently doubled as Middle Eastern and North African settings in films. Popular productions like The Mummy (1999), Lawrence of Arabia, and Prince of Persia also took advantage of these striking desert backdrops.
Production Timeline
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-Production | Early 2024 (planning and casting) |
| Filming Start | May 2024, Morocco |
| Main Locations | Casablanca and Moroccan desert areas |
| Filming Completion | Late July 2024 |
| Premiere Date | August 28, 2025 (Sky Atlantic & NOW) |
Atomic Behind The Scenes
I always find it fascinating to peek behind the curtain of a show like Atomic. This action-packed series didn’t just happen overnight—it took a talented team to bring its intense story to life. Shariff Korver directed the show, while Gregory Burke, who also serves as an executive producer, created and wrote it.
Burke shared his excitement in an interview, saying, “I am thrilled to bring the world of Atomic to life with the brilliant director Shariff Korver and such a wonderful cast. It is a story about ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, and how they react to the challenges they face.” That really captures the heart of the series, don’t you think?
On the acting side, Alfie Allen, who plays Max, opened up about his character’s mindset. He explained, “He’s a big believer in the power of love and connection between people, but this is interrupted by a crazy stunt that happens in the story.”
Allen also spoke about the challenges of filming in the desert: “The environment became part of our performance. You can’t fake that intensity on a soundstage.” Meanwhile, producer Thomas Benski praised Morocco’s versatility: “It allowed us to create a world that feels global while staying in one country.”
Allen’s experience from Game of Thrones likely helped him handle the high-stakes scenes. The team filmed everything in Morocco from May to late July 2024. Shooting in the desert was hard because of the extreme heat and wide open spaces. This made the North African settings feel more real.
Atomic Official Trailer
Have you visited Morocco or seen other films shot there? Let us know your thoughts, and get ready for Atomic to deliver action, suspense, and stunning visuals!
FAQs
Q1. Where was the TV show Atomic filmed?
All of Atomic was filmed in Morocco, with scenes shot in Casablanca and the desert areas of Morocco.
Q2. When did the filming of Atomic take place?
The filming began in May 2024 and ended in late July 2024. The desert scenes were some of the last to be finished.
Q3. Who are the main cast members of Atomic?
Alfie Allen plays Max, Shazad Latif plays JJ, and Samira Wiley plays Cassie Elliott in the main cast.
Q4. What is Atomic about?
Atomic follows two civilians who get caught in a cartel’s uranium-smuggling operation across North Africa, forcing them to stop a nuclear threat.
Q5. When will Atomic premiere?
Atomic will premiere in the UK on August 28, 2025, exclusively on Sky Atlantic and NOW streaming service.
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