TV Shows That Swapped Filming Locations Mid-Season for Magic

Most TV shows are filmed on sets and in familiar locations to save money and keep things looking consistent. However, some series go to great lengths to film on location, moving the entire cast and crew to real-world places that can’t be recreated in a studio. This often happens when a show is taking a big turn in its story or wants to revitalize its visual style. We’ve looked at fifty shows that did just that – packed up and moved – to create compelling television.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

This popular science fiction show is known for its dark and atmospheric style, which was originally created by filming the first five seasons in the damp forests near Vancouver. Later, production moved to Los Angeles to work around actor David Duchovny’s needs. This change significantly altered the show’s look, swapping the misty forests for dry deserts and sunny neighborhoods. Many fans still discuss whether the brighter setting of the later seasons diminished the show’s original sense of mystery.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

Okay, so this superhero show started out big, filming its first season in Los Angeles to really take advantage of the California scenery. But things changed – budget cuts hit, and the show moved to The CW. That meant a shift in location to Vancouver for season two. It was a bit of a challenge, honestly, because they’d already established the show’s setting, National City, with a very California look. They had to get creative to make Vancouver stand in! It did make sense though, as a lot of the other shows in that ‘Arrowverse’ were already being filmed up in Canada.

‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)

The show began filming in Los Angeles, but moved to Vancouver for its first two seasons to reduce expenses. Starting with season three, production went back to Los Angeles thanks to tax breaks offered by California. This allowed the series to feature famous Hollywood locations that suited the character of Lucifer. It’s unusual for a show to film elsewhere and then return to its original location.

‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)

The show began filming in Toronto with a large budget, giving it a movie-like quality. For its first season, production moved to New York City to take advantage of real city settings. Later, due to financial considerations, the series shifted to Vancouver for the rest of its episodes. The show’s creators cleverly used Vancouver’s diverse scenery to represent two separate, yet similar, worlds.

‘Fear the Walking Dead’ (2015–2023)

This zombie series kept things fresh by changing where it filmed to follow the characters’ travels. It started in Los Angeles and Vancouver, then moved to Baja California, Mexico for scenes involving water. Later, the production went to Texas to create a desert-like look for season four. Finally, it settled in Georgia for the remaining seasons, bringing it closer to where the original series was made.

‘Teen Wolf’ (2011–2017)

As a huge fan, I always loved how atmospheric the first couple of seasons of the show were – they filmed in Atlanta and really nailed that misty, mysterious vibe of Beacon Hills. Then, they moved production to Los Angeles for season three because of some tax benefits. It was great for the show, giving them access to bigger sets and more resources, but honestly, it did feel a little different. They worked hard to keep that small-town feel, even while filming in a big city like LA, and I think they mostly succeeded!

‘Ugly Betty’ (2006–2010)

The TV series, which is set in the glamorous world of New York City fashion, was surprisingly filmed in Los Angeles for its first two seasons. Later, production moved to New York City in the third season because of tax benefits offered by the state. This change meant the characters could film on location at famous Manhattan spots instead of on studio sets, making the show feel more realistic and adding to its fashion-focused story.

‘Homeland’ (2011–2020)

The show initially filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina, cleverly representing the settings of Northern Virginia and Washington DC. As the story expanded, production moved to Cape Town, South Africa, to accommodate international scenes. Later seasons were filmed in Berlin, Germany, to create a specific European spy feel, and the final season took the crew to Morocco to portray the Middle East.

‘Prison Break’ (2005–2017)

The show’s first season was filmed at a real prison in Illinois – the Joliet Correctional Center – to create a realistic and harsh environment. For season two, filming moved to Dallas as the characters fled across the country. The third season needed a tropical vibe to represent a prison in Panama, so production stayed in the US, filming in Texas and Florida. Later, the show’s revival season took the crew to Vancouver and Morocco.

‘Monk’ (2002–2009)

I always loved how this show looked, and it’s fascinating to learn about where it was filmed! The very first episode was shot in Vancouver, but then they moved to Toronto to pretend to be San Francisco. Eventually, they settled in Los Angeles and stayed there for the entire run. I can see why – the producers realized it was much simpler to recreate San Francisco’s iconic hills and old-fashioned buildings in California. Plus, being in Los Angeles made it so much easier to get amazing actors to make guest appearances!

‘Suits’ (2011–2019)

The show’s first episode was the only one actually filmed in New York City. After that, production moved to Toronto because it was more affordable. The team got very good at transforming Toronto streets to look like Manhattan, using things like yellow cabs and newsstands. They managed to convincingly portray a busy New York law firm for almost ten years.

‘American Horror Story’ (2011–Present)

This horror series is unique because it constantly changes location each season to match its scary stories. The first season was filmed on location in Los Angeles, including at the well-known ‘Murder House.’ Later, seasons three and four moved to New Orleans to create a spooky, Southern vibe. Since then, the show has filmed in various places, often returning to Los Angeles, depending on what each story requires.

‘The Affair’ (2014–2019)

The show initially filmed a lot in Montauk and New York City to create a strong sense of its seaside environment. Later, the story moved to Los Angeles as the characters sought a new beginning. This shift in setting reflected the increasing emotional distance between them, and the difference between the gloomy east coast and bright west coast visually highlighted the growing divide in their relationships.

‘Ballers’ (2015–2019)

The show’s first two seasons were filmed in Miami, showcasing the exciting nightlife and beach scene surrounding the world of sports. For season three, production relocated to Los Angeles to benefit from financial incentives. The storyline explained this change by having the lead character grow his business to the West Coast. Despite moving production across the country, the show maintained its stylish and energetic look.

‘Scream Queens’ (2015–2016)

The first season of this horror-comedy was filmed in New Orleans, taking advantage of its historic, university-town atmosphere. For the second season, production relocated to Los Angeles when the show’s setting changed to a hospital. This move was motivated by financial benefits and the fact that California had existing hospital sets readily available. As a result, the show’s look changed from a warm, college vibe to a colder, more clinical hospital feel.

‘Legion’ (2017–2019)

The first season of this visually striking Marvel show was filmed in Vancouver, creating a dark and secluded feel. For the second season, production shifted to Los Angeles to take advantage of the area’s dry desert scenery. This new location allowed the show to embrace its dreamlike and unconventional visuals. The bright California setting also offered a strong contrast to the more somber mood of the first season.

‘Killing Eve’ (2018–2022)

This thrilling spy series is known for jumping between beautiful and different cities all over Europe. Filming took place in places like London, Paris, Romania, and Tuscany. These varied locations helped create a sweeping, cinematic feel and also added to the excitement as the two main characters chased each other across the continent.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Initially, the show filmed in Scotland and Morocco. However, production later shifted its main location to Northern Ireland. While the first season used Malta for warmer scenes, the second season moved those scenes to Croatia. Iceland and Spain were also used later to represent different parts of the fantasy world. These location changes were crucial for realistically portraying the varied climates of Westeros.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

The show mainly took place in New York City, but often featured important episodes filmed in various international destinations. The team traveled to the United Kingdom for a wedding storyline and Italy for a season-ending cliffhanger. They also shot scenes in Norway, showcasing its beautiful scenery for a character retreat. Filming in these locations helped create a sense of luxury and grandeur for the show’s business-focused plot.

‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)

Although the sitcom was mainly filmed in Los Angeles, it occasionally featured episodes shot on location around the globe. The cast and crew journeyed to places like Australia and Paris for special vacation-themed episodes, and also filmed in Hawaii and Wyoming to add variety to the show’s typical suburban backdrop. These location shoots were complex, requiring a lot of planning to accommodate the large cast and crew.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

As a huge fan, I always found it amazing that almost the entire show was filmed on a soundstage at Warner Bros. in Burbank! It was incredible how they created so many different worlds there. But they did make one big exception – for the season four finale, they actually flew everyone to London! They filmed on location at famous landmarks and in a British studio to really bring that wedding storyline to life. Honestly, that trip felt like a real turning point for the show and definitely changed how the characters interacted with each other from then on.

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

The show was filmed in Southern California, but it was meant to portray the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. To kick off the sixth season, the creators arranged a trip to London, bringing the main actors over to film scenes at famous landmarks like Stonehenge and Buckingham Palace. This change of scenery created humor by placing the characters from a small town in a grand, historical setting.

‘Veep’ (2012–2019)

As a critic, I always appreciated the show’s visual commitment, and it’s fascinating to learn about its production history. Originally, they shot everything in Baltimore, cleverly using it to represent Washington D.C. But after four seasons, they made the jump to Los Angeles, thanks to some helpful California tax incentives. The crew really went the extra mile to rebuild that distinct D.C. look right there in Hollywood, and honestly, it allowed the show to keep going for several more seasons without completely breaking the bank. It was a smart move, both creatively and financially.

‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)

This science fiction show stood out because it was filmed in eight cities worldwide at the same time. The crew went to places like Nairobi, Mumbai, and Berlin to get genuine footage, choosing to film on location instead of using artificial backgrounds. This challenging schedule resulted in stunning visuals rarely seen on TV.

‘Outlander’ (2014–Present)

The show is mostly filmed in Scotland, taking advantage of the dramatic highland scenery which is key to the story. However, for the third season, filming shifted to Cape Town, South Africa, to reuse ship sets from a different production. This allowed them to portray Jamaica and the Caribbean during the characters’ sea journey, and the film crew successfully created a believable tropical atmosphere along the South African coast.

‘The White Lotus’ (2021–Present)

This series features a new story each season, all set in beautiful, high-end resorts around the globe. The first season was filmed in Hawaii during the pandemic, giving it a uniquely isolated feel. For season two, filming moved to Sicily, Italy, to create a romantic and historically rich setting. The third season took the production team to Thailand, offering a fresh and visually stunning cultural backdrop.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

The show initially filmed mostly in Utah and California, using natural rock formations and ranch landscapes. For its third season, production moved to Singapore and Spain to create a futuristic city environment. The unique, modern architecture of Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences heavily influenced the look of this future world, representing a significant change from the previous Western-style scenery.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present)

Although the show is mainly filmed in Atlanta, which stands in for the town of Hawkins, production broadened for the fourth season. Scenes set in a Russian prison were filmed in Lithuania, and New Mexico provided the backdrop for the California storyline. These locations allowed the show to move beyond its original Indiana setting and expand its overall scope.

‘Vikings’ (2013–2020)

The show was primarily filmed in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland to create the look of Scandinavia. For the fifth season, the production team went to Morocco to film scenes set in the Mediterranean. Iceland provided the backdrop for Floki’s travels through harsh, isolated lands. These different filming locations helped bring the Vikings’ extensive voyages to life.

‘The Witcher’ (2019–Present)

The show’s first season was filmed in Hungary and the Canary Islands to create its fantastical world. However, season two moved production to the United Kingdom because of pandemic-related travel issues and practical considerations. This change gave the series a darker, more realistic look, as the British forests and studio sets offered a different feel than the locations used previously in Eastern Europe.

‘The 100’ (2014–2020)

Filmed in Vancouver, this post-apocalyptic drama took advantage of the area’s thick forests and overcast skies. To depict a broken world, the filmmakers shot in various locations throughout British Columbia, using local quarries and beaches to stand in for different landscapes. The consistently gloomy and wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest served as a striking backdrop for the story of survival.

‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023)

The show’s pilot episode was filmed in Vancouver, which remained the primary filming location throughout the series. To achieve a classic American look, the production team used local diners and schools, all while filming in Canada. Although the show didn’t move to different cities, it often dramatically changed familiar locations to match the strange events happening on screen. The often misty Vancouver weather also played a key role, almost becoming a character in this dark and mysterious drama.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

The first episodes of the show were filmed on location in Vancouver, and the production team stayed there to create the look of rural Kansas. Later, they often used downtown Vancouver to represent the city of Metropolis. Because Vancouver offers both countryside and city settings so close together, the crew could easily film diverse scenes. This approach to filming became a model for other superhero shows on The CW.

‘Arrow’ (2012–2020)

The show was filmed in Vancouver, which served as the backdrop for the fictional city of Star City. Filmmakers highlighted Vancouver’s skyline and industrial spaces to create a tough, realistic urban environment. They often revisited a particular castle on Vancouver Island for scenes set in the past. The city’s generally grey appearance also fit the show’s dark and serious tone about a crime-fighting vigilante.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

The show was filmed in Vancouver, and the city’s bright, daytime atmosphere helped create a more upbeat feel. Modern locations like BC Place stadium stood in for the futuristic STAR Labs. During outdoor scenes, the crew frequently had to hide Canadian flags and street signs. Overall, Vancouver offered a flexible setting for this visually effects-driven series.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

The show’s first episode was filmed in Chicago to give Gotham City a special look, showcasing the city’s unique buildings. However, for the rest of the series, production shifted to Vancouver, where other shows in the ‘Arrowverse’ were already being made. The team worked hard to recreate the Chicago feel using visual effects and careful camera angles. This made it easier to coordinate and film the crossover episodes with the other shows.

‘Titans’ (2018–2023)

Filming for the series took place in Toronto, which was chosen to realistically portray the dark and rough environments of both Detroit and Gotham. The city’s large soundstages and city streets were used extensively, with occasional trips to the countryside of Ontario for scenes set at Wayne Manor. Toronto’s cold, urban aesthetic was ideal for the series’ serious and mature atmosphere.

‘Doom Patrol’ (2019–2023)

The show is filmed in Georgia, particularly around Atlanta, because of the variety of landscapes available. The warm climate and rich greenery offer a different look compared to other shows based on DC comics. Local mansions and quaint towns are used to bring the show’s unique world to life, allowing for a brighter and more unusual visual style.

‘Stargirl’ (2020–2022)

The show was filmed in and around Atlanta, Georgia, to create the fictional town of Blue Valley. The filmmakers aimed for a cheerful, small-town look, which was a deliberate contrast to the moodier superhero series often filmed in Vancouver. This location helped establish the series’ hopeful and reminiscent feel.

‘Psych’ (2006–2014)

Although the show takes place in Santa Barbara, it was mostly filmed in Vancouver, Canada. The filmmakers worked hard to transform the rainy Pacific Northwest into sunny California, using bright colors and clever camera techniques to disguise the grey weather and evergreen trees. This created a distinct, slightly artificial look that fans came to love and jokingly referred to as ‘fake Santa Barbara’.

‘Burn Notice’ (2007–2013)

Filming in Miami was crucial to the show’s unique, bright, and atmospheric style. Instead of using studio sets, the production team shot on location at real hotels and beaches. This dedication to the city gave the show a vibrant and recognizable look, and Miami itself almost became a character in the spy drama.

‘White Collar’ (2009–2014)

Filmed entirely in New York City, the show aimed to immerse viewers in the glamorous and dangerous world of high-stakes art theft. The filmmakers utilized iconic Manhattan streets and stunning rooftop scenes to create a visually rich and sophisticated atmosphere. By using real locations, they made even the most unbelievable heists feel believable and grounded.

‘Covert Affairs’ (2010–2014)

Though the show was filmed primarily in Toronto, the production team often shot scenes on location around the world. They filmed in cities like Paris, Berlin, and Venice to support the story’s international spy theme. When they weren’t filming abroad, they used Toronto sets decorated to resemble foreign locations. This mix of on-location shooting and set work allowed them to create a visually impressive show without exceeding their budget.

‘Alias’ (2001–2006)

The show was mainly filmed in Los Angeles, using creative set design to represent locations around the world. While they sometimes used green screens or filmed in California spots that resembled other countries, most of the filming stayed close to home. The first episode had some scenes shot in Las Vegas, but generally, the show was based locally. The art department was key, brilliantly turning the Burbank studio into a convincing Berlin, for example.

‘Lost in Space’ (2018–2021)

The show’s first season was filmed in Vancouver, taking advantage of the local forests and mountains to create the look of an alien world. For the second season, production shifted to Iceland to film in a variety of unique and unusual landscapes. The final season returned to British Columbia, but with completely new sets. These location changes were key to showing the Robinson family’s travels across the universe.

‘Penny Dreadful’ (2014–2016)

The gothic horror show was filmed in Dublin, transforming the city into Victorian London. For its third season, production shifted to Spain to depict scenes set in the American West. This change of location created a striking contrast – swapping the gloomy, foggy city for a bright and dusty landscape. Filming in Almería, Spain, gave the final season a grand, sweeping feel.

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–Present)

As a huge fan, I’ve been fascinated learning where they filmed everything! Most of the production is based at Leavesden Studios in the UK, but they really brought the world to life by filming on location all over Europe. I was particularly excited to hear they used the medieval streets of Cáceres in Spain to create King’s Landing – it looks exactly like the show! They also filmed in Portugal and Cornwall for those amazing coastal shots. It’s so cool how they used real places to make the fantasy world feel so real and connected to history.

’24’ (2001–2010)

The thrilling show was primarily filmed in Los Angeles during its initial seasons. However, the show’s return season moved production to London to offer a fresh perspective. This change put the main character, Jack Bauer, in unfamiliar territory with new obstacles to overcome. Featuring iconic London locations added excitement and revitalized the series.

Share your favorite location swap from this list or tell us which one we missed in the comments.

2025-12-12 07:20