The question where was the beast in me filmed has surged across entertainment searches following the success of Netflix’s psychological thriller. Viewers have been eager to learn which real locations shaped the series’ polished suburban setting, dramatic character moments, and tense storytelling style. The show takes place in a fictionalized version of Oyster Bay on Long Island, yet the production team chose New Jersey as its primary filming base. The state offered the right combination of scenic neighborhoods, stately architecture, coastal views, urban contrast, and film-friendly logistics, making it the ideal backdrop for the story’s sharp emotional turns.
New Jersey has become a go-to destination for major film and television productions, offering flexible permitting, attractive filming incentives, and proximity to New York City. These advantages allowed the series to build an immersive world that feels authentic, upscale, and unsettling when needed. By using a mix of waterfront hotels, historic estates, suburban streets, and city parks, the production created a layered visual style that supports the series’ tension and shifting tone.
Below is a comprehensive look at the key locations used, why New Jersey was selected, how the show transformed real spaces into fictional environments, and what viewers can spot while watching.
A New Jersey Foundation for a Long Island Story
Although the narrative is set in an affluent Long Island town, the production selected New Jersey for nearly every on-screen environment. The state’s architectural variety makes it possible to recreate Long Island’s upscale residential feel while maintaining convenient access to both urban and coastal spaces. New Jersey’s municipalities also offer streamlined approval processes for street closures, location dressing, and hotel usage, all of which were critical for a show that required real storefronts, hotels, and public paths to be transformed for filming.
The visuals carry a refined, slightly tense energy, and the real New Jersey locations play a major role in shaping that atmosphere. Audiences familiar with the region may recognize certain landmarks, while others will simply appreciate how seamlessly the settings support the characters’ psychological unraveling.
Red Bank: The Production’s Most Versatile Setting
Red Bank served as one of the show’s most frequently used locations. Filming incorporated its bustling downtown area, iconic riverfront pathways, and stylish shops. The town’s visual personality blends contemporary charm with traditional architecture, making it an ideal match for scenes that depict polished social settings and community interactions.
Downtown Red Bank
Several notable scenes were shot on and around West Front Street. For filming, real businesses were temporarily redesigned to fit the show’s fictional world. Crew members added new signage, modified window displays, and adjusted lighting to create a cohesive visual theme throughout the blocks featured on camera. This area appears multiple times, especially during sequences involving character conversations or transitions between major story events.
Riverfront Views
The riverfront also plays a subtle but recurring role. Its calm backdrop mirrors the community’s outward elegance while hinting at underlying tension—a tone the series maintains from episode to episode. The boardwalk-style sections and open viewpoints gave the production flexible angles for both daytime and evening scenes.
Red Bank offered a welcoming environment for filming, and its blend of modern energy and historical charm helped set the tone for many of the show’s most memorable moments.
The Molly Pitcher Inn and Oyster Point Hotel: Signature Interiors
Two of Red Bank’s most distinguished waterfront hotels—the Molly Pitcher Inn and the Oyster Point Hotel—feature prominently throughout the series. These hotels provided a sophisticated environment for scenes requiring upscale interiors, elevated social spaces, and polished meeting environments.
Elegant Ballrooms and Dining Rooms
The production made use of grand ballrooms, intimate dining rooms, and scenic corridors. These spaces created a visual language of wealth, status, and formality. Dramatic lighting, deep color palettes, and reflective surfaces helped establish a mood of restrained luxury, which fits the show’s tone.
Waterfront Settings
The hotels’ riverside balconies and walkways appear in sequences where characters confront personal dilemmas or reveal important information. The calm waterfront contrasts with emotionally charged interactions, adding visual depth to the storytelling.
These hotels added a sense of authenticity to the fictional community, grounding the show’s world in recognizable architecture that feels both refined and lived-in.
West Orange: The Iconic Estate at the Center of the Story
A major private estate in West Orange served as the primary residence of the show’s central character. This estate is one of the most visually significant locations in the entire series.
Architectural Grandeur
The home’s striking façade, dramatic rooflines, and impressive entryway provided the production with a structure that conveys both power and vulnerability. The estate’s design allows the story to explore themes of secrecy, privilege, and psychological pressure.
Interior Rooms
Select interior spaces—hallways, living rooms, and formal seating areas—were used for key character confrontations. These rooms offer rich textures, layered décor, and natural light that reinforces the emotional weight of these scenes.
Grounds and Exterior Shots
The estate’s gardens and wooded surroundings appear in sequences where tension escalates. The property’s scale also reinforces the character’s isolation, helping the story build a sense of quiet unease.
West Orange gave the show a visual anchor that balances elegance and intensity, making the estate one of the most recognizable elements of the series.
Newark and Jersey City: Urban Contrast and Cultural Energy
While much of the series unfolds in seemingly serene suburban environments, the production also relied on Newark and Jersey City for urban contrast.
Parks and Public Spaces
Parks such as Independence Park and Branch Brook Park appear in scenes that require open pathways, dramatic trees, and calm gathering spaces. These locations allow the story to breathe while maintaining an undercurrent of suspense.
City Streets and Landmarks
The production used downtown corridors, cultural centers, and artistic buildings to illustrate moments when characters step outside their immediate community. These scenes help expand the narrative world and provide a sharp tonal shift from the quieter residential settings.
Creative Flexibility
Urban environments gave the production team more flexibility for staging complex scenes, adding a layer of dynamism to episodes that shift between personal stress and broader conflict.
Together, Newark and Jersey City enrich the show’s geography, offering visual variety without breaking the story’s cohesive atmosphere.
Why New Jersey Was the Ideal Filming Hub
The decision to film in New Jersey reflects both strategic and creative considerations. The state offers:
- A wide range of architectural styles suitable for suburban, coastal, and urban scenes
- Film-friendly policies that streamline production logistics
- Quick access to New York-based cast and crew
- Distinctive venues that add cinematic value to both interior and exterior shots
These advantages made it possible for the production team to execute a demanding shooting schedule while maintaining high visual standards. New Jersey’s diverse landscapes helped shape the show’s aesthetic identity, contributing to its overall impact.
How the Locations Support the Show’s Themes
The series explores themes of secrecy, emotional strain, and the contrast between outward appearances and hidden turmoil. New Jersey’s real locations bring these themes to life:
- Waterfront hotels highlight refinement and social pressure
- Suburban streets create a sense of comfort with subtle tension
- Grand estates symbolize control, status, and vulnerability
- Urban backdrops introduce unpredictability and intensity
The careful blend of these environments helps build the psychological framework that drives the series.
Spotting Locations While Watching
Fans who enjoy identifying filming spots will have plenty to look for. Viewers may recognize:
- The riverfront promenade and storefronts in Red Bank
- Ballroom settings and polished hallways in the waterfront hotels
- The imposing West Orange estate used for major character arcs
- Scenic park paths and urban textures in Newark and Jersey City
These locations appear throughout the series and add depth to many key scenes.
Production Timeline and Impact
Filming took place from September 2024 through January 2025. During this period, New Jersey communities welcomed cast and crew, with many local businesses experiencing increased activity. Temporary street closures and building dressings were common, and residents often saw familiar locations transformed into fictional spaces for the show.
The series premiered in late 2025 and quickly captured audience attention for its emotional storytelling and striking visuals. For those who wondered where was the beast in me filmed, the production’s heavy use of New Jersey helps explain the show’s distinctive aesthetic.
Final Thoughts
Viewers curious about where was the beast in me filmed now know the series was built entirely on New Jersey’s diverse landscapes. From elegant waterfront hotels to sweeping estates and lively cityscapes, the state provided every location needed to shape the show’s tense and compelling world. Each setting enhances the narrative’s emotional depth, giving fans a vivid environment to explore with every episode.
Share your thoughts below — which New Jersey location did you recognize first, and did the setting enhance your viewing experience?