All Of Us Strangers – Waterloo & City line

The filming location at Bank Station on the Waterloo & City Line served as a key underground setting in All of Us Strangers, a 2023 supernatural romantic fantasy drama directed by Andrew Haigh. Starring Andrew Scott as Adam, a screenwriter grappling with grief and isolation, and Paul Mescal as Harry, his neighbor, the film explores themes of loss, love, and reconciliation with the past. This specific Tube station captured intimate flashback moments, blending London’s gritty transit reality with the story’s emotional depth. Located in the City of London financial district, the coordinates 51.5033, -0.11475 pinpoint the station’s core area, making it accessible yet evocative of transience.

The Scene

In All of Us Strangers, poignant scenes unfold on a Waterloo & City Line train at Bank Station, where Adam reunites with visions of his deceased parents from his 1980s childhood. Andrew Scott’s character shares a quiet journey with them, heading toward the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, a real South London landmark tied to his youth. These moments contrast the train’s monotonous rumble with tender revelations about family secrets, Adam’s unspoken sexuality, and unresolved trauma. The confined carriage amplifies vulnerability, as fluorescent lights flicker over conversations bridging decades. Behind-the-scenes footage reveals the crew transforming the train, with Scott and Mescal present, heightening the film’s blend of supernatural reunion and raw intimacy.

The Real Filming Location

Bank Station, a bustling underground hub on the Waterloo & City Line, hosted actual filming for All of Us Strangers. This deep-level Tube station, connecting Bank to Waterloo, lies beneath the financial district at coordinates 51.5033, -0.11475. Transport for London facilitated production, allowing crew setup inside a real train carriage, as shown in official behind-the-scenes videos. The stark, tiled platforms and vintage-style trains provided an authentic 1980s vibe for flashbacks, evoking London’s everyday commute amid the film’s ghostly narrative. No sets were built; the location’s natural isolation and echoey acoustics enhanced the scenes’ emotional isolation.

Why This Location Was Chosen

Details on the exact production rationale for selecting Bank Station remain limited in verified sources, with no direct quotes from director Andrew Haigh specifying it. However, the Waterloo & City Line’s utilitarian, less-touristed nature likely mirrored Adam’s internal disconnection, paralleling other choices like Haigh’s childhood home for nostalgia. The line’s route from central Bank to Waterloo evokes journeys into personal history, fitting the Whitgift shopping centre destination in flashbacks. Transport for London’s cooperation enabled realistic filming without disruption, capturing London’s underbelly where past and present collide. Information on broader selection criteria emphasizes authentic London sites for immersion.

Visiting the Location

Bank Station is easily accessible via multiple Tube lines including Central, Northern, District, and Circle, with Waterloo & City Line trains running weekdays only from 6:10 AM to 12:30 AM. Enter from Princes Street or Threadneedle Street entrances near Liverpool Street Station. Visitors can ride the line to Waterloo (4-minute journey), experiencing the same deep-level platforms used in filming—watch for white-tiled walls and grey trains. No specific film tours exist, but Oyster card or contactless payment covers fares (£2.80-£3 peak). Photography is restricted during rush hours; check TfL rules. Nearby, explore St. Paul’s Cathedral or Leadenhall Market for a full day. The station buzzes 24/7 on connecting lines, offering a glimpse into London’s commuter pulse year-round.