The Cast of Saltburn Brings the Iconic House to Life in the New Gothic Thriller Film

The Cast of Saltburn Brings the Iconic House to Life

The upcoming film Saltburn tells the story of a family who moves into a mysterious beachside manor. Much of the movie takes place within the walls of the stately Saltburn house, which becomes a character unto itself as its history is revealed. The cast recently shared insights into what it was like to film in this iconic setting.

Jacob Elordi on the Challenges of Filming in Saltburn House

Lead actor Jacob Elordi plays the father who uproots his family to move into Saltburn. He revealed that filming inside the real Saltburn provided unique challenges for the cast. "The house is such an incredible character in this film, but it also provided hurdles we had to overcome," Elordi said. "The acoustics and echoes made filming difficult at times. But working in that environment brought so much life and energy to our performances."

Emerald Fennell Brought Her Interior Design Background to Saltburn

Emerald Fennell steps into the role of the mother striving to make the imposing Saltburn into a home. Her background in interior design proved useful during filming. "I was able to work closely with the production designers to really shape the look and feel of the rooms," Fennell said. "It was fun to blend my character's tastes with the existing architecture and history of Saltburn."

Uncovering Saltburn's Secrets

As the family settles into Saltburn, they begin uncovering its hidden secrets and dark history. Actor Barry Keoghan plays the son determined to unravel the mystery of the house. "There's a sense that the house has witnessed events from the past that still linger in its walls," Keoghan explained. "It was really atmospheric filming there and called on us as actors to tap into the psychological layers of the story."

The Iconic Exterior of Saltburn House

While much of Saltburn takes place inside the manor, the exterior also provides an imposing and dramatic backdrop. The stately home sits beachside on the North Yorkshire coastline looking out over the ocean. "The exterior really mirrors the interior in terms of having this faded grandeur," Elordi said. "It's an incredible gothic beauty that heightens the sense of foreboding."

A One-of-a-Kind Filming Location

Saltburn offered the cast an exceptionally unique and memorable filming location. "It's not every day you get to act inside a place with so much personality," said Fennell. "Saltburn is truly an unforgettable setting. The house has a life of its own that emanates through the walls." The film takes audiences through lavish rooms full of secrets as the house comes to life onscreen.

The Surrounding Sea Views

In addition to the mansion itself, the seaside surroundings also factored into the filming. "The views of the ocean extend the sense of mystery and isolation," Keoghan said. "It's such a striking juxtaposition being inside this ornate manor while the untamed sea rages right outside." The dichotomy highlights the brewing tensions that threaten to tear the family apart.

Bringing Saltburn to the Big Screen

Director Emerald Fennell aimed to truly showcase Saltburn in all its grandeur in the film. "I wanted to let the house shine and become a focal point audiences get drawn into," Fennell said. The film takes viewers through every ornate room and atmospheric grounds. Capturing it authentically required filming on location at the real house.

A Dream Filming Location

"Any production designer dreams of finding a location like this to build sets," said production designer Olivia Holt. "Yet here was this perfectly preserved mansion that encapsulated everything we wanted to convey in the film. It was a dream to be able to film there and use the existing architecture and design details."

Highlighting Saltburn's Unique Character

Production teams strove to highlight the specific qualities that make Saltburn unique. Cinematographer Ava Russo explained, "We really wanted to capture the texture of the walls, the patina of age, the weight of the doors. Those intricacies give Saltburn its character." The crews worked to showcase both the grandeur and underlying gloom.

The Story and Secrets of Saltburn

Beyond its role as a filming location, Saltburn has a fascinating history of its own. The mansion was constructed in the late 18th century by aristocrat Lord Edward Saltburn. It remained in his family until financial troubles forced them to sell it in the early 20th century. It has gone through various owners since but retains its original architecture and charm.

Local Legends of Hauntings

As an imposing manor with a long history, Saltburn has also accumulated local legends through the years. Some believe Lord Saltburn's spirit remains, unable to move on from the home he built. Others speak of ghosts of past inhabitants and victims of foul play on the premises. The stories add an extra layer of mystery and drama to the estate.

A Cinematic Inspiration

Saltburn's uniqueness, beauty and legends made it the ideal choice when selecting a filming location. It naturally set an ominous and foreboding tone from the moment crews arrived. The secrets held within its walls inspired the mystery unfolding at the heart of the film. Saltburn will linger in viewers' minds long after leaving the theater.

The cast agrees that Saltburn left an indelible imprint through their work on the film. The iconic house truly takes on its own persona and becomes a pivotal part of the story onscreen. Audiences will find themselves both fascinated and unsettled by Saltburn when the film arrives in theaters this fall. The majestic coastal manor holds many secrets yet to be revealed.

FAQs

Where was Saltburn filmed?

Saltburn was filmed on location at the real Saltburn manor house in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire on the northeast coast of England. The production filmed both inside the iconic mansion as well as around the striking seaside grounds.

Is Saltburn based on a true story?

While Saltburn itself is not based on a specific true story, the gothic mansion does have a real history dating back to the late 1700s. The house was built by aristocrat Lord Saltburn and remained in his family for generations. The film plays upon the house's imposing presence and mysterious reputation.

When does Saltburn take place?

Saltburn takes place in modern day but heavily draws upon gothic influences. Though the mansion was built centuries ago, the film follows a contemporary family moving into the foreboding manor and uncovering its secrets.

What is the plot of Saltburn?

Saltburn follows a family who relocates to a stately mansion by the sea hoping for a fresh start. But they soon find themselves haunted – literally and figuratively – by the house's ominous presence and dark history. The son becomes obsessed with unraveling the property's mysterious past.

Who stars in Saltburn?

Saltburn stars Jacob Elordi as the father, Emerald Fennell as the mother, and Barry Keoghan as the son. The cast also includes Amelia Clarkson, Dennis Christopher and Diana Hardcastle in supporting roles.