20 TV Shows with the Most Stunning Location Shooting on a Budget

Filming in real locations doesn’t have to be expensive. Many shows have successfully used streets, towns, and natural landscapes as stunning backdrops with small teams, local permissions, and careful planning. The productions featured below saved money by filming on location, taking advantage of regional financial incentives, and working with local communities. They created a unique visual style using real places and natural light, and kept things efficient with small, flexible crews. Each example details where the show was filmed, how they minimized costs, and the clever techniques they used to make the scenery look amazing.

‘High Maintenance’ (2016–2020)

Filming took place throughout all five boroughs of New York City, using real apartments, shops, and streets with limited permits and quick setups. Episodes were often shot with small teams and natural light, which kept costs down by reducing the need for equipment, transportation, and lengthy on-location shoots. Writers crafted stories that fit easily into accessible neighborhoods, meaning locations served both the plot and the budget. The final product is a realistic look at New York, captured quickly amidst the city’s everyday life and residents’ routines.

‘How To with John Wilson’ (2020–2023)

The team filmed throughout New York City using a lightweight camera, focusing on natural sound and existing light. They shot hundreds of hours of footage of everyday street scenes, avoiding the need for constructed sets. They used public spaces, sidewalks, and friendly local businesses to keep costs down. Because they had a flexible filming schedule, they could revisit locations during different seasons and in various weather conditions without incurring additional expenses.

‘Detectorists’ (2014–2022)

Filming for the series took place in the countryside of Suffolk and Essex, utilizing simple locations like fields, village halls, and pubs with minimal set decoration. A small crew and efficient approach kept transportation and base camp requirements low. Local authorities were helpful with permits, and consistently using the same farms and roads helped control scouting and rental expenses. The production relied heavily on natural light and existing fixtures, which reduced the need for generators and lighting equipment.

‘Hinterland’ (2013–2016)

Filmed primarily around Aberystwyth and the Ceredigion coastline, the show made use of the area’s dramatic, often desolate landscapes – including moors, cliffs, and abandoned structures – all within a small geographic area. To provide dialogue in both Welsh and English, each scene was filmed twice, allowing the production to reuse sets and locations effectively. The art department focused on using existing, unoccupied buildings like farmhouses, offices, and cafes, minimizing the need to build new sets. By utilizing regional funding and hiring local crew members, the production kept costs down and boosted the Welsh economy, benefiting from financial incentives and lower lodging expenses.

‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)

Filming primarily took place in West Bay and Clevedon, consistently using the same beaches, cliffs, and town streets throughout the series. They filmed in actual houses and public buildings as much as possible, reducing the need for studio work. Because the coastal and town locations were close together, the crew saved time and money on transportation and extra hours. The production team worked with local officials to manage crowds during the busy tourist season, scheduling shoots for early mornings and slower days to avoid disrupting visitors.

‘Skins’ (2007–2013)

The show was filmed mostly in Bristol, using actual schools, housing estates, and nightlife venues thanks to connections with local people. They kept costs down by filming in real places like apartments, underpasses, and bus stops, using available light instead of elaborate setups. Hiring local actors and crew also saved money on travel and living expenses. By repeatedly using the same neighborhoods, the production team saved time on location scouting and simplified the process of getting permission to film.

‘Derry Girls’ (2018–2022)

As a film buff, I was really impressed with how they shot this series. They filmed all over Belfast, cleverly using it to stand in for Derry. Instead of building huge sets, they did this amazing job of dressing existing locations – schools, halls, even regular streets – with period details. They used props, posters, and vehicles to really nail the timeline without having to do major construction. To keep disruption down, they mostly shot on quieter side streets and worked around rush hour. And what was really smart was how they sourced a lot of the period-accurate uniforms, signs, and other details from local departments, which saved them a ton on rentals. It felt really authentic because of all that practical work!

‘Letterkenny’ (2016–2023)

The show was primarily filmed in Sudbury, Ontario, using the same outdoor locations each season to maintain consistency and save money. Because the town already had existing farms, shops, and country roads, the film crew didn’t need to build much scenery. They worked with tight filming schedules and kept travel to a minimum, reducing hotel costs. Most scenes with a lot of talking were filmed inside real locations like kitchens and garages, which meant they didn’t need a lot of extra equipment.

‘In the Flesh’ (2013–2014)

Filming in Northwest England took advantage of authentic, already-established locations – typical houses, village squares, and community halls – minimizing the need for set construction. Night shoots relied on existing streetlights to simplify lighting setups. The makeup artists worked out of local hubs to efficiently prepare large groups of extras without lengthy travel times. Filming locations were grouped closely together, allowing crews to shoot multiple scenes within a short distance.

‘Top of the Lake’ (2013–2017)

The initial filming took place near Queenstown and Glenorchy, utilizing nearby lakes, forests, and mountain roads for convenient daily shoots. The stunning natural scenery needed very little enhancement – mainly just keeping an eye on the weather and having small safety teams present. A small crew filmed using handheld cameras and steadicams on trails and along the lakeshores, keeping equipment light and mobile. They were able to move quickly between locations using local water taxis, access to farmland, and permits from the local council.

‘The Bridge’ (2011–2018)

As a fan, I always noticed how brilliantly this show used its locations! They filmed in both Malmö and Copenhagen, which was smart because it gave them a lot of different city looks without having to travel super far. They picked places like police stations, docks, and underpasses that already looked right for the story, so they didn’t need to do a lot of set design. Plus, filming on both sides of the Øresund Strait was made easier because the police and local authorities worked together, and they scheduled shoots during quieter times. And honestly, the grey, overcast skies they often used really fit the mood, and it even saved money on lighting and equipment – it was a really efficient shoot!

‘Borgen’ (2010–2022)

The production cleverly used existing government buildings, offices, and broadcasting facilities in Copenhagen to stand in for political interiors, minimizing the need for elaborate set construction. By securing access to locations like meeting rooms, lobbies, and press areas, they only needed to add a few props and signs. Using these centralized locations also saved time on daily travel for the crew. To maintain consistency and speed up filming, they used a standardized color process for both filming and post-production, making lighting simple and reliable even with a tight schedule.

‘The Killing’ (2007–2012)

Filming took place all over Copenhagen, using streets, courtyards, and apartments. The city’s efficient permitting process allowed for quick approvals. Inside, the crew used available lights and compact equipment to keep production moving. They frequently revisited the same buildings and canals throughout the series, saving time and money on location scouting. Instead of trying to control the weather, they worked with natural rain and cloudy skies.

‘Wallander’ (2005–2013)

The town of Ystad and the surrounding Skåne region offered convenient locations – coastal roads, police stations, and harbors were all nearby – which made it easy to move our crew and equipment. We were able to film in many public buildings, like libraries and clinics, with very few changes needed. Local helpers arranged access to country roads and the beach without causing major disruptions. We kept filming times down by using natural light and minimal lighting equipment.

‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006–2011)

The Austin area stood in for various small towns across Texas, using local high schools, fields, and homes repeatedly. The show was filmed using a dynamic style with multiple cameras and handheld shots, relying on natural light and quick shooting schedules. Instead of building sets, they used real places like locker rooms, classrooms, and diners, which saved money. Filming in nearby locations allowed the crew to shoot several scenes in the same area each day.

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

The show filmed Baltimore’s streets – including rowhouses, piers, empty lots, and government buildings – with help from the city. They used real locations like community centers, offices, and bars for indoor scenes, keeping the sets simple. Hiring local crew and extras saved money on travel. By basing storylines in specific neighborhoods, the production team could easily return to those areas without needing new filming permits each time.

‘Top Boy’ (2011–2023)

The show’s first few seasons were filmed on location in East London housing estates, with permission secured from both the housing associations and residents. Sets inside stairwells, courtyards, and apartments were kept simple to maintain a realistic look and allow for quick filming. The crew used small camera setups to navigate the limited space without needing extensive equipment. Busy local markets and high streets provided vibrant outdoor scenes, filmed by working around pedestrians instead of closing off the areas.

‘Please Like Me’ (2013–2016)

The Melbourne inner-north offered convenient access to share houses, cafes, and parks, making production logistics easier. Instead of relying heavily on studio sets, the production team used real homes decorated by the art department. Filming was organized by location to minimize travel and extra work hours. To keep costs down, the production worked with local businesses, offering them publicity in exchange for access outside of normal hours and quick turnaround times.

‘Gomorrah’ (2014–2021)

Filming in Naples involved a lot of on-location shooting in diverse areas like housing projects, along the coast, and in industrial districts, relying heavily on local help. The film crew kept equipment light to move easily through crowded neighborhoods, frequently filming with very little light during twilight and at night. Being able to return to the same locations repeatedly saved time and money, as they didn’t have to rebuild sets. Hiring local staff and suppliers also helped keep costs down compared to bringing everything in from elsewhere.

‘Doc Martin’ (2004–2022)

I was absolutely captivated by the location shooting for the show! They used the real village of Port Isaac in Cornwall, and it was amazing how they mapped out the streets to make everything flow seamlessly. They filmed inside actual homes and buildings whenever possible, adding just a few sets where needed. To avoid crowds, they were clever and filmed when fewer tourists were around. Plus, using local places to stay and keeping travel short meant they could keep a handle on costs throughout the entire shoot – it was a really smart way to work!

Tell us in the comments which TV show you think used its filming locations in the most creative and cost-effective way! We want to know which show got the most bang for its buck with its settings.

2025-11-30 20:17