Mr. Malcolm’s List is a romantic period drama film released in 2022, directed by Emma Holly Jones and based on the novel by Suzanne Allain. Set in 19th-century England, the film tells the story of Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton), a young woman who is publicly humiliated when she fails to meet the qualifications on the titular “list” of eligible bachelor Mr. Jeremy Malcolm (Sope Dirisu). She enlists the help of her friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) to get revenge of her suiter.
Despite being mainly set in London, Mr. Malcolm’s List was filmed in Ireland, using the country’s finest Georgian buildings and beautiful landscapes. Many of these houses and landscapes can be visited, and in this article, you can read more about the stunning locations that were used in Mr. Malcolm’s List.
Lugalla & The Temple of Luggala
Luggala – also known as the Fancy Mountain – is a notable peak in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. It is known for its dramatic scenery and stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including Lough Tay.
The summit of Luggala offers a panoramic view of the Wicklow Mountains, making it a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The area is part of the expansive Luggala Estate, which encompasses 5,000 acres of pristine natural beauty. This privately owned estate has been a significant cultural and historical landmark, hosting numerous artists, musicians, and writers over the years.
The Temple at Luggala is a small 18th-century building styled after a classical Greek temple. It is a folly, a decorative building constructed primarily for aesthetic pleasure rather than practical use.
The temple is used for the begin shot of Mr. Malcolm’s List and we see Selina Dalton walking on the Luggala Estate.
Newbridge House as Mrs. Finch’s Lady’s Academy
Newbridge House is an early 18th-century Georgian mansion built by Charles Cobbe, the Archbishop of Dublin. Set within 400 acres of wooded parkland, it is considered one of the finest surviving Georgian mansions in Ireland.
The house features the Cobbe Portrait, an unattributed panel painting of William Shakespeare, which is believed to be the only surviving painting of the great English writer.
In Mr. Malcolm’s List, Newbridge House is used for the exterior shots of Mrs. Finch’s Lady’s Academy where we see a young Selina Dalton and Julia Thistlewaite.
Powerscourt House and Gardens
The Powerscourt Estate is a large country estate in County Wicklow in Ireland. The house was originally a 13th-century castle, which was renovated in the 18th century into a Palladian-style mansion designed by German architect Richard Cassels.
In the 19th century, the 7th Viscount Powerscourt created the gardens, which are still considered one of the finest gardens in the world. The inspiration for the new gardens came from famous palaces and castles in Europe, like Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the Palace of Versailles, and the gardens of the Schwetzingen Castle near Heidelberg.
The estate is also home to a luxury five-star hotel.
Higginsbrook House as Selina Dalton’s Family Home
Higginsbrook House in Meath is used as the family home of Selina Dalton. Jane Austen lovers may recognize this house as Higginsbrook House is also the family home of Anne Hathaway’s Jane Austen in Becoming Jane and it appears in Northanger Abbey.
Dublin Castle Bedford Tower
The Bedford Tower is a prominent and historically significant structure within the Dublin Castle complex in Dublin, Ireland. Erected in the mid-18th century, this striking building is an excellent example of Georgian architecture and stands as a testament to Ireland’s rich historical heritage.
Named after John Russell, the 4th Duke of Bedford, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the tower was completed in 1761. It was designed by architect Thomas Cooley as part of a larger renovation project intended to enhance the grandeur and functionality of Dublin Castle. The Bedford Tower features a distinct clock tower, crowned with a copper dome and a gilded weather vane, making it a recognizable landmark within the castle grounds.
Today, the Bedford Tower is integrated into the larger Dublin Castle complex, which serves as a major government building and a cultural attraction. The castle hosts state functions, official ceremonies, and public tours, allowing visitors to explore Ireland’s history and heritage.
Dublin Powerscourt
Powerscourt in Dublin in a beautiful Georgian townhouse located near Grafton Street. The house was designed by Robert Mack for Richard Wingfield 3rd Viscount Powerscourt and his wife Lady Amelia, who bought the Townhouse to entertain guests during Parliament season.
Powerscourt was one of the finest Georgian houses in Dublin. It is now a shopping center.
Castletown House as Mr. Malcolm’s Family Estate
Castletown House is a large Palladian country house in County Kildare, Ireland. It was built on an 800-acre estate in 1722 for William Conolly, the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. In the 20th century, it was in disrepair. It was the first major project of the Irish Georgian Society, an architectural heritage and preservation organization.
The City Assembly House as Dulwich Picture Gallery
The Knight of Glin Exhibition Room in the City Assembly House in Dublin (the headquarters of the Irish Georgian Society) is used as the art gallery in Mr. Malcolm’s List. The octagonal art gallery was built by the Society of Artists in Ireland in 1766, and it was the first purpose-built exhibition space in Britain and Ireland.
The production team added a painting of Tom Lefroy to the gallery, who was Jane Austen’s rumored lover, it’s the second connection to Jane Austen as one of the film locations was also used in Becoming Jane – a Jane Austen movie telling the story of Jane and Tom Lefroy – and Northanger Abbey.
Farmleigh House as Malcolm Family’s Estate Gardens
Farmleigh House is a large country house located on an elevated position above the River Liffey in Castleknock. The Georgian house was built in the 18th century as a modest house but after Edward Guinness bought the house and the estate in 1873 it was transformed into a large Edwardian style house with a ballroom and a conservatory.
The 1st Earl of Iveagh was an avid art and furniture collector, which is clearly showcased in the interiors of Farmleigh, but also the landscaped gardens showcase his character.
Farmleigh was bought by the state and used as the official State guest house for visiting heads of State and dignitaries. Notable guests are Queen Elizabeth II, Tony Blair, and Joe Biden.
The gardens of Farmleigh are used as Mr. Malcolm’s Estate gardens. The eclectic Edwardian mansion and the seventy-eight acres surrounding the house are open to visitors.
The Gaiety Theatre as London Theatre
The Gaiety Theatre in Dublin is one of Ireland’s most cherished and historic theaters. The theatre was built in 1871 after a design by architect C.J. Phipps. The theatre is renowned for its stunning Victorian architecture, with an ornate auditorium that features plush red seating, a richly decorated proscenium arch, and elegant balconies.
About Mr. Malcolm’s List
Suzanne Allain self-published her novel Mr. Malcolm’s List in 2009 and later adapted it into a script. Filmmaker Emma Holly Jones discovered the script when The Black List featured a podcast script reading of it in 2015. Intrigued, Jones pursued the rights and teamed up with producer Laura Rister, followed by Laura Lewis, to produce a feature film adaptation.
To generate interest, they decided to create a short film as a teaser for the feature version. They partnered with Vice Studios’ Refinery29 and their Shatterbox short film series, which supports female filmmakers, to produce the short.
The success of the short film led to the novel’s publication by Berkley Press in 2020 and secured financing for the feature film. The production team, including producer Katie Holly and her Blinder Films, shot the feature in Ireland.
The cast includes Freida Pinto as Selina Dalton, Sope Dirisu as Mr. Jeremy Malcolm, Zawe Ashton as Julia Thistlewaite, Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Lord Cassidy, Ashley Park as Gertie Covington, and Theo James as Captain Henry Ossery.
