Pula stars as itself in popular Dutch crime series ‘The Golden Hour’

Pula

Pula has become the backdrop for the second season of the popular Dutch detective series The Golden Hour, with the Istrian city playing none other than – itself.

The show’s director and production team were so impressed by Pula’s charm and striking visuals that they decided to incorporate it directly into the storyline, making it a key filming location, HRT reports.

It’s a move expected to bring major promotional benefits not just to Pula, but to Croatia as a whole.

While the series is mainly set in the Netherlands, parts of the new season unfold in Croatia.

The production has drawn on the talents of many local film professionals, with around a hundred Croatian extras also involved.

Pula Arena

One of the standout filming spots is the iconic Pula Arena, providing a unique and atmospheric setting for the show.

“The director really liked the story setting in Pula, which is why we’re here. We saw photos and were amazed. When we arrived, we knew we’d made the right choice. The city is photogenic – this beautiful Arena and other locations fit our story perfectly,” lead producer Wynand Chocolaad told HRT.

Istrian towns have often stood in for other destinations in international productions – Pula’s streets, for example, have previously doubled for Beirut or Italian cities.

Pula

This time, however, Pula is proudly playing itself.

“There are economic benefits to filming, as production uses city resources – from public spaces to accommodation and hospitality. But what we value most is when Pula is portrayed as Pula, because then we gain marketing value by promoting our own city,” explained Sanja Cinkopan, head of the Pula Tourist Board.

Known globally for its music events, Pula also has the capacity to host major film productions.

“Our aim is to become a film hub – a city with a dedicated film studio. Talks are already underway, and we’re seeing strong interest from people in the film world. I believe we’ll make it happen,” said Pula Mayor Filip Zoričić.

The second season of The Golden Hour is set to premiere in the Netherlands later this year.