Top 5 TV Shows with the Most Amazing Locations as Backdrops

Few things 2020 has taught us are patience, appreciating beauty from afar and the art of OTT and chilling!

Like millions of others, I have been spending the locked down days devouring TV show after TV show, film after film, books? Well, that’s a pain point. Nevertheless, it has still been enriching and of course a lot of fun. And you should see the kind locations some of these shows are set in. Since there’s not going to be much traveling, nothing could have been better than feasting my eyes at these awe-inspiring places. And being the ever-so-generous soul that I am, here’s me imparting info on these little-known (err…arguably) TV shows that will wake up the most dormant wanderlust in everyone (again…arguably).

Broadchurch

Club David Tennant and Olivia Colman together and can you expect anything other than sheer brilliance? Broadchruch, a crime-drama that takes a little getting used to at first, doesn’t disappoint. More than the jaw-dropping performances by said actors, the scenic beauty of the small-ish beachtown that this show features can hardly be fathomed as the hotbed of all the bloodshed. Waves crashing against the cliffs, and sometimes corpses, Broadchurch, a fictional town, is hard to keep your eyes off of. Filmed mainly in the Jurassic Coast harbour village of West Bay, Dorset, it’s a perfect blend of terrific performances against a backdrop that adds cherry on top of a cherry on top of a cherry on the cake.

Big Little Lies

Much has been said about the huge cast in this crime-drama. Yet you get to hear so little about the magnificent location it’s based on, it’s almost disheartening. If there were awards for supporting locations, I’m pretty sure this would be one of top nominees in the segment. Beneath the calm, unsunny little town of Monterey so much is going on that it does just as superior a job at hiding chaos as the show’s lead characters. Filmed in Monterey and Carmel, this laid back town will make you want to pick up your bag and move for good, unless you have an aversion to women with secrets *wink*.

Derry Girls

90s’ Ireland, a conservative town, religious discrimination and 5 “girls” who are coming of age. Derry Girls nails it in the subtle, sometimes dark-sometimes silly comedy department. Set amidst political turmoil, the town of Derry couldn’t have served a better purpose. It’s gloomy, looks cold and filled with people with warmth. Shot in Belfast and Southern Ireland, Derry Girls doesn’t shy away from portraying the gory history of the country in a peaceful little location. The frequent aerial shots keep coming and suck you into the phenomenal beauty this town has to offer, even when all is not well.

Twin Peaks

When Twin Peaks first aired in the 90s, it single-handedly pulled travel-bugs from all around the USA into the small town Snoqualmie. The dark and mysterious town in this David Lynch detective-thriller is sure a crowd-puller, both to the screen and the backdrop. Set in the town of Twin Peaks, the show makes sure you notice the where as well as you notice the what. From the moment our protagonist arrives in town, we are introduced to the location like a tour guide does. The snow-soaked roads lined with greenery till your eyes can see, the beach and the ever-truant sun. The series sure is an acquired taste but once you see it, you’ll definitely want to be in it.

High Maintenance

The American comedy series that does more than make one laugh, if you asked me. It bares what can probably only be called the underground scene of New York City to a viewer with orthodox tastes. As we follow the tracks of our protagonist “The Guy”, a weed dealer, we are given voyeuristic peeks at the lives of New Yorkers that do not get talked about in “decent company”. More than that, our cyclist protagonist also acts as a peephole into the city that New York is. From the pretty to the ugly, it puts every aspect of the city in one frame and the result? Oh, you’ll have to watch it!

So there you go! And as I write, there are more shows that keep popping in my head but I guess I’ll keep them for another time.