The Queen's Gambit: Where the Methuen Orphanage and the Wheatley House Are Located

The Queen's Gambit is a miniseries that captivated audiences worldwide since its premiere on Netflix in October 2020. Based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, the series was created by Scott Frank and Allan Scott and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. It follows the fascinating and complex journey of Elizabeth Harmon, brilliantly portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, a chess prodigy orphan who battles life's challenges while rising to the top of the competitive chess world.

Set in the 1960s, the series delves into the mind of Beth Harmon, a talented young woman confronting past traumas while finding her place in the world of chess. A crucial element in bringing the protagonist's story to life was the careful selection of filming locations, particularly the orphanage where Beth grew up and her adoptive mother's house. Let's explore these iconic places that played a pivotal role in the narrative of The Queen's Gambit.

Methuen Orphanage

One of the most striking locations in the series is the Methuen Orphanage, where Beth Harmon spends her childhood after her mother’s death in a car accident. Located in the fictional town of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, the Methuen Orphanage is a dark and imposing building where Beth faces loneliness and isolation, but also discovers her exceptional talent for chess.

The production team created a somber and melancholic atmosphere that perfectly captured Beth’s sense of isolation as she developed her passion for chess.

Castle

Schloss Schulzendorf, also known as Schulzendorf Castle, is a historic building located on the outskirts of Berlin, Germany. This castle was used as the filming location to represent the Methuen Orphanage. Here are some additional details about the site:

Schloss Schulzendorf has a rich history dating back to the 18th century. The castle was originally built in the late Baroque style and served as a summer residence for Prussian nobility.

The castle features impressive architecture, with Baroque and Neoclassical elements. It boasts an elegant façade and architectural characteristics that harken back to its aristocratic past.

Throughout history, the castle has undergone several ownership changes and has been used for various purposes. At one point, it served as a school but was eventually abandoned for many years before being rediscovered as a filming location.

Location

Schloss Schulzendorf is situated in the village of Schulzendorf, on the outskirts of Berlin, making it accessible for the series' production, which required a location near the city. The castle was chosen as the setting to represent the Methuen orphanage in the series due to its imposing appearance and the melancholic atmosphere that fit well with the narrative. The production team did an excellent job transforming the castle to recreate the feeling of the orphanage where Beth Harmon spent her childhood.

The choice of Schloss Schulzendorf as the location for the orphanage in the series demonstrates how historical sites can be creatively repurposed in the film industry, adding depth and authenticity to productions.

Wheatley House

After being adopted by Alma Wheatley, portrayed by Marielle Heller, Beth Harmon moves into a large, luxurious house in Lexington, Kentucky. The Wheatley house vividly represents the contrast between the austere life at the orphanage and the more comfortable world Beth comes to live in. The scenes set in the house were filmed in Cambridge, Canada, and involved the meticulous construction of sets to recreate the 1960s interiors.

The richness of the details in the Wheatley house setting reflects Alma Wheatley's desire to provide Beth with a better life while also highlighting the protagonist's emotional and psychological challenges.

The series was filmed in various locations in Germany and Canada to represent some of the cities that Beth lived in or visited due to her chess competitions, such as Lexington, Ohio, Cincinnati, Las Vegas, New York, Mexico City, and Paris.

The representation of these places played a crucial role in building the atmosphere and narrative of the series, providing viewers with a visually rich and immersive experience.

The Methuen orphanage and the Wheatley house are iconic locations that helped tell Beth's story movingly and unforgettably. "The Queen's Gambit" not only celebrates chess as an intellectually challenging game but also illustrates how the chessboard of life can be equally complex and intriguing.

Where to watch: Netflix.