Hulu’s popular thriller drama Nine Perfect Strangers is back with Season 2, and this time, it takes viewers to an entirely new location. While Season 1 was based in a luxury retreat in California, Season 2 moves the story to a stunning location in the European Alps.
Created by David E. Kelley and based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, the show continues to follow mysterious wellness guru Masha Dmitrichenko (played by Nicole Kidman) as she guides a new group of nine strangers through a transformative—often intense—journey of self-discovery.
At NetFilming, we’re diving deep into the breathtaking locations where Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 was filmed. If you’re curious about those snowy mountains, historic castles, and alpine villages shown in the series, this guide has you covered.
A Quick Look at Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2
Nine Perfect Strangers is a thriller drama created by David E. Kelley and John-Henry Butterworth. Season 1, set at Tranquillum House in the fictional Cabrillo, California, introduced us to Masha’s unique (and sometimes unsettling) wellness methods. For Season 2, the show switches to an anthology format, meaning a new story, new guests, and a new retreat. This time, Masha welcomes her guests to a snowy resort in the Austrian Alps, where the stunning landscapes amplify the tension and allure. Filming took place from January to June 2024, delayed slightly by the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. The result is a visually captivating season that blends nature’s beauty with psychological suspense.
Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Filming Locations
Season 2 of the show was filmed across Austria and Germany, with production running from January to June 2024. The show takes full advantage of the beautiful landscapes and historic buildings in these regions, offering a fresh and visually appealing backdrop to the series’ dramatic storyline.
The snowy Alps create a sense of isolation—perfect for a story about strangers trapped in a transformative retreat. As Nicole Kidman told Vanity Fair, the snow makes it feel like “you can’t escape, but it’s still very beautiful.” Let’s break down the key locations.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg, a picturesque city in northwestern Austria, was the heart of Season 2’s outdoor filming. Known for its stunning mountains and historic charm, it’s no surprise the team picked this spot. The main star here is Schloss Blühnbach, a 17th-century stately home in Werfen, a market town south of Salzburg. This grand building doubled as Masha’s wellness retreat, its elegant exterior surrounded by pine trees and towering mountains. The Blühnbach Valley setting adds a mystical vibe, making it feel like the perfect place for secrets to unravel.
Werfen and the surrounding areas also provide some outdoor scenes that Werfen is famously known for. The ice cave Eisriesenwelt, situated in the foothills, is claimed to be among the largest in the world. Despite the film’s lackluster marketing of these landmarks, their surrounding presence certainly captivates the atmosphere. It is easy to see why the town is famous for Hohenwerfen Castle perched above a 155-meter rock. The picturesque Werfen is certainly stunning, feeling almost like stepping into a postcard.
Located to the south of the city, another magnificent place worthy of exploration is Schloss Leopoldskron, a dazzling rococo-style palace in the Vienna state of Leopoldskron-Moos District. The seven-hectare historic hotel park, which overlooks the Untersberg ‘massif’ mountains, is a must-see destination for any traveler. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because The Sound of Music featured this palace and used it for numerous outdoor filming sessions, making it a popular location in the world of cinematography. Furthermore, the eye-catching Leopoldskroner Weiher lake sets the scene for majestic mountain ranges, making it a breathtaking view and perfectly isolated for the filming requirements of the show.
A big chunk of the funding provided by the Austrian government granted €7.5 million in support of the filming through the FISA+ scheme. Capturing the beauty of Salzburg’s striking white-topped mountains along with its ancient architecture, this funding truly brought life to every single frame.
Gmunden, Austria
The crew decided to take a break and visited Hallstatt, a small town located in the Gmunden district of Upper Austria. If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram, you’ve probably seen Hallstatt—it’s often called one of the most photogenic towns in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sits by Lake Hallstatt (Hallstätter See) with the Dachstein mountain in the background. In the show, Hallstatt offers a refreshing shift from the resort’s sleek interiors to a village nestled in nature.
Destinations such as the Hallstatt Skywalk, a breathtaking viewing platform, the Hallstatt Museum, and the eerie Hallstatt Ossuary draw tourists to Hallstatt. While we don’t know if these specific sites appear in the show, the town’s fairy-tale vibe likely inspired some outdoor scenes. Imagine the characters wandering through Hallstatt’s charming streets, with snow-dusted mountains in the distance—it’s the kind of setting that makes you want to book a trip.
Vienna, Austria
The production also reportedly filmed a few scenes in Vienna, Austria’s capital and a city known for its beauty and history. Vienna’s mix of historic architecture and modern landmarks, like Belvedere 21 and DC Towers, makes it a favorite for filmmakers. Shows like Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan have also shot here, drawn to its visual diversity. In Nine Perfect Strangers, Vienna likely provides a brief urban contrast to the rural Alpine settings, adding depth to the show’s world. Whether it’s a grand palace or a sleek modern building, Vienna’s scenes elevate the show’s polished aesthetic.
Bavaria, Germany
While Austria handled the outdoor magic, Bavaria, Germany, was the go-to for indoor scenes. The production team used Penzing Studios in Penzing, a municipality near Munich. This massive studio, located at Kauferinger Street 32-34, spans over 40,000 square meters with five stages, LED screens, and green screens. It’s a filmmaker’s dream, offering everything from a virtual production stage called Hyperbowl to a 270-hectare backlot with sets like a monastery, hospital, and casino.
Penzing Studios was ideal for crafting the resort’s interiors, where much of the drama unfolds. The studio’s high-tech tools, like 3D location scans and interactive lighting, helped create immersive sets that feel real. Other projects, like The Crow and the Cliffhanger reboot, have also used Penzing, proving its versatility. Germany’s support didn’t stop at facilities—the production received €10 million from the German Motion Picture Fund, making it a true international effort.
Fun Facts About the Filming Process
- Strike Delays: Filming was pushed from late 2023 to early 2024 due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, plus scheduling conflicts with Nicole Kidman.
- Real Wellness Vibes: Just like Season 1’s Soma retreat, Season 2’s Schloss Blühnbach is a real historic estate, adding authenticity to the show’s wellness theme.
- Global Collaboration: The mix of Austrian and German funding shows how international support can bring a big-budget series to life.
- Tourist Hotspots: Fans visiting Salzburg or Hallstatt can explore the same landscapes seen in the show, from castles to ice caves.
Nine Perfect Strangers Behind the Scenes
Filming Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 wasn’t just visually stunning—it was also a unique production experience for the cast and crew. The shift from Australia’s tropical retreat in Season 1 to the icy Alps added both challenges and excitement behind the scenes.
Nicole Kidman, who plays Masha and also serves as an executive producer, shared with Vanity Fair, “You put them in the snow because it’s almost like you can’t escape, but it’s still very beautiful.” This quote reflects the intention behind choosing such a remote and harsh setting—it mirrors the inner emotional journeys of the characters.
Filming during winter in the Alps meant the crew had to work in freezing conditions, often navigating difficult terrain to capture the perfect shot. Despite the cold, the cast reportedly bonded deeply off-camera, especially during long days on set in isolated mountain villages. Producer Bruna Papandrea explained in an interview, “The setting plays a character of its own. It shapes the story, and it shapes the people in it.”
The use of advanced virtual production at Penzing Studios also allowed for smoother shooting schedules indoors, blending cutting-edge technology with authentic, on-location footage for a seamless cinematic look.
Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Official Trailer
If you’re curious about more filming secrets, stick with us for the latest insights. Have you visited any of these spots, or are you planning to watch the show? Let us know!
Read More: Where Was Netflix’s Sirens Filmed? Top Locations Revealed!
