To The Lake (Russian: Эпидемия), aka Epidemic is a Russian post-apocalyptic thriller television series that first premiered on the Premier platform on November 14, 2019. Based on Vongozero, a novel by Russian author Yana Vagner, the show explores how a group of people tries to survive a deadly virus outbreak that throws society into chaos. The ensemble cast includes Kirill Käro as Sergey, Viktoriya Isakova as Anna, Aleksandr Robak as Lyonya, Natalya Zemtsova as Marina, Maryana Spivak as Irina, and Yuri Kuznetsov as Boris.
The story follows Sergey and his extended family fleeing Moscow after an unknown virus begins rapidly killing the population. The group’s goal as they make their getaway is to get to a secluded island in—Karelia for refuge. Much of the series’ power is found in the bleak—desolate landscapes that graphically depict the collapse of civilization, even as the plot captivates viewers with emotional intensity and suspense.
Let’s explore the filming locations for both Seasons 1 and 2 of To the Lake, emphasizing the actual places that made this terrifying journey come to life.
TO THE LAKE SEASON 1 FILMING LOCATIONS
Season 1 of To The Lake was filmed in 2018, primarily in Moscow Oblast and the Arkhangelsk Oblast in Russia. The icy, unsettling atmosphere of a society crumbling under the weight of a pandemic was aptly portrayed by these locations.
Moscow, Russia
The early scenes set in Moscow were filmed in actual locations across the city and its outskirts. The crumbling urban infrastructure and bleak winter cityscape added realism to the collapse of normal life as the epidemic spread.
Arkhangelsk Oblast – Onega and Malozhma
Malozhma, an isolated village in the Onega District of Arkhangelsk Oblast, served as the filming location for a large amount of the series. This area is known for its harsh winters and rocky, wooded landscape. The village provided an authentic sense of isolation for the production—as there was no street lighting and no mobile phone reception. A fire that unintentionally damaged a wooden bridge—the only access point to other communities—and a burst water pipe that stopped production for two days were among the difficulties the film crew had to deal with.
Notwithstanding the difficulties, the Malozhma locals, many of whom are elderly, were hospitable and even took part as extras. Their participation gave the program a more realistic foundation.
Onega Bay – Representing Lake Vongozero
Although the novel’s title refers to the real Vongozero Lake in Karelia, the show chose Onega Bay to represent it onscreen. The bay served as a powerful metaphor for the story’s ultimate destination because of its bleak beauty and vast frozen waters.
Kiy Island and White Sea
Additional scenes were filmed on Kiy Island in the White Sea, further highlighting the characters’ transition into harsher, more isolated environments as they journey northward in search of safety.
TO THE LAKE SEASON 2 FILMING LOCATIONS
Filming for Season 2 began on April 6, 2021, under the direction of Dmitry Tyurin. Unlike Season 1, which stuck closer to the original novel, Season 2 followed an original storyline not based on the book’s sequel.
Ivanteevka, Moscow Region
Production began in Ivanteevka, a town in the Moscow Oblast, maintaining some continuity with the first season’s shooting locations. This region continued to serve as the urban backdrop for the early parts of the season.
Lukhovitsy, Moscow Region
Filming later moved to Lukhovitsy, also within Moscow Oblast. This is where shooting officially wrapped on September 12, 2021.
St. Petersburg and Surrounding Areas
The crew also shot in St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas for a change of scenery. This gave the show a blend of natural beauty and architectural grandeur, reflecting the characters’ changing paths.
Karelia and Priozersk
Filming moved back to northern regions—such as Karelia and the area around Priozersk—to recreate the secluded landscapes that viewers adored in Season 1.
TO THE LAKE OFFICIAL TRAILER
Stay tuned to Netfilming.com for more updates, filming news, and behind-the-scenes.
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