Netflix Shows Filmed in New Jersey and Beyond

The Netflix series Big Mistakes utilized 40 different locations across New Jersey to capture its unique suburban setting [1]. Meanwhile, the Tina Fey-led series The Four Seasons filmed scenes across diverse landscapes, including the Jersey Shore, for its second season [2].

Key takeaways

• Big Mistakes was filmed over 46 days at 40 distinct locations throughout New Jersey [1].
• Production for Big Mistakes employed more than 300 local cast and crew members [1].
• The Four Seasons filmed episodes for its second season against the backdrop of the Jersey Shore [2].
• Locations for The Four Seasons also included Upstate New York, Puerto Rico, and Italy [2].

A Tour of the Garden State and Beyond

The production of Big Mistakes involved a deep commitment to New Jersey, moving beyond simple exterior shots to film in towns such as Jersey City, Cranford, Caldwell, and Morristown [1]. Specific sites utilized during the 46-day shoot included the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, the Union Police Department, and the Hazel Wood Cemetery in Colonia [1]. Taylor Ortega, who stars in the show and grew up in Cranbury, noted that filming a major project in her home state was a surreal experience [1]. The show, which follows a family caught in a web of organized crime, uses these varied locations to ground its absurd, dark comedy tone [1].

In contrast, The Four Seasons took a more expansive approach to its geography, following a group of friends through various vacation spots [2]. While the show’s second season features the Jersey Shore—a location chosen because the character played by Colman Domingo is from Philadelphia and would be familiar with the area—the series also traveled internationally to Tento, Italy [2]. Earlier episodes in the series were filmed in the Hudson Valley, including Fishkill and Newburgh, as well as at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie [2]. The production also utilized Puerto Rico’s El Conquistador Resort to represent a luxury getaway [2].

Why it matters

The use of authentic locations has become a significant element in modern television production, moving away from studio-bound sets to provide a sense of place that defines the narrative [3]. For shows like Big Mistakes, filming extensively within New Jersey allows the production to lean into the state's established cultural reputation for suburban chaos and organized crime, albeit with a comedic twist [1]. As streaming services continue to invest in location-specific storytelling, the choice of setting serves as a vital component in establishing the tone and reality of the series, whether it is the specific streets of a New Jersey town or the slopes of a ski area [2, 3].