Case Study: Managing Heritage Risk During a Major Filming Project

The Challenge

During the filming of the Amazon Prime series Citadel, production plans included a vehicle explosion within the grounds of Blenheim Palace. While the sequence was important to the production, the proposed location raised concerns regarding the potential impact on the Palace's historic fabric and fragile eighteenth-century windows.

Previous filming activity had demonstrated the vulnerability of these features, making careful assessment essential before any approval could be considered.

The Approach

As Head of Collections at Blenheim Palace, I worked with the production team to understand the technical requirements of the sequence and assess the potential risks to the building and collections.

This involved reviewing specialist information, consulting relevant stakeholders and evaluating how the proposed activity could be adapted to reduce risk while still meeting the needs of the production.

Following this assessment, approval was granted subject to strict conditions, including relocating the explosion further from the Palace and limiting the production to a single take.

The Outcome

The sequence was completed successfully without damage to the historic building or collections.

The project demonstrated how careful planning, clear communication and proportionate risk management can enable ambitious filming activity within sensitive heritage environments.

By balancing heritage protection with operational and commercial objectives, the Palace was able to support a major international production while safeguarding its historic assets.