Hollywood shoots in Pollenca: Brosnan, Hardy and Mirren at Sa Fortalesa

Hollywood shoots in Pollenca: Brosnan, Hardy and Mirren at Sa Fortalesa

An international series moves scenes to the historic fortress — and the island benefits

Early in the morning the scent of pine hangs over the bay of Port de Pollenca, seagulls cry, and crates of camera equipment clatter on the spit of land at Sa Fortalesa. Anyone walking along the promenade notices right away: something bigger is happening than usual. Not only tourists are watching curiously; local taxi drivers, cooks and young actors are keeping their eyes open.

Paramount+ has relocated shooting sequences for the second season of MobLand to Mallorca. The setting is a 17th-century fortress that has been used as an exclusive private residence for years. Old stone walls, views of the open sea and a helicopter pad — a dramatic backdrop for a series about power struggles and family conflicts. Names like Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren come up in cafe conversations; individual appearances are rarely officially confirmed, but the production logistics are noticeable in the region, and Pollenca has hosted other international shoots, including Hollywood in Pollença: Eva Longoria Films.

For many here this is not just a celebrity circus but real work: hotels provide rooms for teams, catering companies deliver paellas and bocadillos for crew and extras, transport firms drive equipment over the mountain roads to Pollenca. Technicians from the island work together with international crews. Shopping lists grow longer, and small service providers receive unusual orders — from specialized cleaning to extra-long extension cables.

In the cafeteria at Plaça Major residents talk about the new faces. An older woman shows photos of her granddaughter who was hired as an extra. A young bartender is happy about the days with higher tips. These small stories add up: a chartered taxi that returns in two hours, an extra job for a stunt assistant from Palma, and large local casting calls have occurred elsewhere, such as Film crew in Camp de Mar: 1,000 extras casting. Visible glamour mixes with ordinary island life.

Sa Fortalesa has experience with film productions. Films and series have already set cultural scenes and the economy in motion here, as seen with recent productions on the island, for example Sherry Hormann's 'Fall for Me' set in Mallorca. The current shoot once again brings attention to Mallorca as a location that offers more than summer beaches: historic sites, varied landscapes and an established infrastructure for filming, reflected in local reporting such as Palma 2025 de nuevo demandada: 115 permisos de rodaje.

What this means in concrete terms: more assignments for local craftsmen, expanded opportunities for technicians and extras, new contacts for catering services and transport companies. For young film professionals, a production on the doorstep is a lesson: how does a set run? How do you negotiate deliveries? What standards apply with international teams? These experiences remain even after the cameras are taken down.

The outlook is optimistic: well-organized cooperation between producers and local service providers can bring long-term effects. Some restaurateurs are already thinking about how to tailor off-season offers to film crews. Schools and local initiatives could explore partnerships with film workshops. Such connections strengthen the local economy and open paths for talents who previously only watched from the sidelines.

On site, consideration is still required. Shooting schedules respect quiet times, access routes remain secured, and there are balanced rules for resident access. If that succeeds, a win-win situation arises: the production finds an impressive location, the island earns revenue and gains international visibility — without overwhelming everyday life.

In the evening the set grows quieter. Lights hum, waves hit the fortress's feet, and the restaurants of Pollenca talk long into the night about the day Hollywood was on their doorstep. For someone who lives here, it's not a myth: it's the small jobs, the extra income, the curious young people and the feeling that Mallorca can be more than just summer holidays — it can be a stage, a workplace and a learning ground at the same time.

Looking ahead: Local businesses can use the opportunity to present themselves as reliable partners for future productions. A glance into the workshop or kitchen, an open offer of cooperation and a warm welcome for crews — from a single shoot, lasting value for the island may grow.