15 Surprising Places Where Hit TV Shows Are Filmed

You might be pleasantly surprised to find out where your favourite TV series are filmed. From Northern Ireland to Canada to Cape Town, Hollywood has certainly stretched itself around the world in search of the perfect location.

1. Homeland in Cape Town 

The fourth season of Homeland spent a few months shooting on location in Cape Town, South Africa. The inner city was buzzing with activity as the crew filmed at many locations.

(Geographer/Wikimedia Commons)

(Geographer/Wikimedia Commons)

2. Scandal in Los Angeles 

Now this is a bit scandalous! Even though this popular series is set Washington DC, it is actually shot in Hollywood with fake backdrops of the capital city.

3. Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland

When it comes to a series location, Game of Thrones is filmed in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. With rolling hills, dramatic cliffs and beautiful green countryside, it feels like you’ve been taken back in time, even though you’re in modern-day Northern Ireland.

 (Wikimedia Commons)

(Wikimedia Commons)

4. American Horror Story in New Orleans

Even though American Horror Story makes you jump straight out of your seat, it was filmed in the friendly, funky Big Easy. Fans can also visit the location used to film the Coven in NoLa.

 (brent/Flickr)

(brent/Flickr)

5. Pretty Little Liars on the Old Gilmore Girls Set

Filmed at the famed Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, California, Pretty Little Liars set was almost guaranteed to be a hit — it filmed on the former set of another popular show, Gilmore Girls. The pilot, however, was filmed thousands of miles away in Canada.

(Mike Searle/Wikimedia Commons)

(Mike Searle/Wikimedia Commons)

6. Downton Abbey in Hampshire, England

The castle you see in Downton Abbey is real, not a Hollywood set! The show is filmed at Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, on an estate which is home to the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and has been in the family since 1679.

 (Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons)

(Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons)

7. House Of Cards in Maryland

Not only is House of Cards an amazing series, but it generated jobs for a bunch of people in Maryland. Though it takes place in Washington, D.C., most of the filming was done in Baltimore and Harford County, with the Maryland House of Delegates chamber in Annapolis also being used.

(OTRS/Wikimedia Commons)

(OTRS/Wikimedia Commons)

8. The Walking Dead in Atlanta 

With backdrop of Atlanta, Georgia, this series takes many deadly twists and turns as walkers feed on humans. The series was also shot in King County, and the Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta.

(Jorobeq/Wikimedia Commons)

(Jorobeq/Wikimedia Commons)

9. Modern Family in Cheviot Hills

The Dunphy house is an actual house located at 10336 Dunleer Drive in the swank Cheviot Hills area of Los Angeles. The house was recently sold, which raised concerns for the production team, but the new owners gladly agreed to continue a contract with them.

(dam Jones, Ph.D./Wikimedia Commons)

(dam Jones, Ph.D./Wikimedia Commons)

10. Orange Is The New Black at a Real Jail 

Does that prison scene look too good to be true? Well, that’s because its an actual jail! Orange Is The New Black is filmed at the Riverhead Correctional Facility in Suffolk County, New York.

(Bobak Ha’Eri/Wikimedia Commons)

(Bobak Ha’Eri/Wikimedia Commons)

11. Parks And Recreation in Pasadena, California

If you think that the Pasadena City Hall looks familiar its because you’ve seen it on Parks and Recreation as Pawnee’s City Hall. Other scenes are filmed at the CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles, California.

Steveston Village

(Buchanan-Hermit/Wikimedia Commons)

12. Once Upon A Time in Steveston Village, Canada

Steveston Village is a small seaside town in British Columbia, Canada. ABC’s Once Upon a Time and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland are both filmed on location there, and the town doubles as Storybrooke in the series.

13. Under The Dome in Wilmington 

Filmed in the popular location of Wilmington, North Carolina, is CBS’s Under the Dome. Wilmington was also the location for other series such as Sleepy Hollow, Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill.

(Ron Reiring/Wikimedia Commons)

(Ron Reiring/Wikimedia Commons)

14. Breaking Bad in Albuquerque 

AMCs hit series Breaking Bad was filmed and set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, putting this unassuming town on the map. Interest in Albuquerque has been on the rise since the series aired.

15. Bates Motel in Aldergrove, Canada

A replica of the original Bates Motel set from the film Psycho was built in Aldergrove, British Columbia, where the series is filmed. The original motel however, can be located on the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

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