Starz debuted Rebecca Cutter‘s gritty American crime drama series, Hightown, on May 17, 2020. With a focus on Jackie Quiñones (played by Monica Raymund), a National Marine Fisheries Service agent whose discovery of a body sets her on a tumultuous journey to sobriety and justice, the show delves into the darker side of Cape Cod’s picturesque beaches.
Although Provincetown, Massachusetts, is central to the plot, the actual filming locations were spread across multiple states, including North Carolina and New York. Let’s examine the filming locations for Hightown in more detail and see how they contributed to the realism of the fictional underworld of Cape Cod.
Filming Timeline and Season Overview
| Season | Filming Locations | Filming Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Provincetown (MA), Freeport (NY) | March 2019 – August 2019 |
| 2 | Wilmington (NC), Airlie Gardens | November 2020 – April 2021 |
| 3 | Wilmington (NC), additional sites | May 2022 – July 2022 |
Season 1: Bringing Cape Cod to Life
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Since the series is set in Provincetown, filming some scenes there was essential for authenticity. In May and June 2019, the crew captured several shots around the town. Notable locations included:
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MacMillan Pier and Provincetown Harbor – Scenes here showcased fishing life and marine operations, essential to Jackie’s role.
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Provincetown Inn and West End Rotary – Used in key early scenes, including the beach discovery moment.
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Commercial Street – The site for a recreated Carnival parade scene, shot with a large crowd and colorful props. Interestingly, the parade route had to be changed for better lighting, sparking local discussions.
The opening credits also feature iconic Cape Cod landmarks like the Sagamore Bridge and Pilgrim Monument, enhancing the local flair.
Monica Raymund later shared in interviews how impactful filming in Provincetown was, calling it her “first introduction to Massachusetts” and praising the town’s vibrant, party-like atmosphere.
Freeport, Long Island, New York
While some of Provincetown’s visuals were captured on location, much of Season 1 was filmed in Freeport, located on the South Shore of Long Island, New York. This area effectively doubled for Cape Cod due to its similar coastal look.
Some specific filming spots included:
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Johnsons Place and Church Street – Used for neighborhood and residential scenes.
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Bagel Dock Café and Guy Lombardo Avenue – These waterfront and street scenes gave a feel of a bustling marina town.
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Freeport Auto Parts on Buffalo Avenue – The crew transformed this auto parts shop for gritty urban sequences.
The production wrapped in Freeport by June 2019. Other nearby areas like Ossining were also used for brief sequences.
Seasons 2 and 3: Moving Production to Wilmington, North Carolina
Starting with Season 2, the production shifted to Wilmington, North Carolina, which served as a cost-effective and flexible stand-in for Cape Cod. The town’s beachside setting and film-friendly infrastructure made it an ideal choice.
Key Locations in Wilmington
Carolina Beach Town Hall – Used in early Season 2 as an official location stand-in.
St. Mary Catholic School (Fifth Avenue) – Filmed for school and assembly scenes, featuring dozens of extras.
Recreation Center – The AA meeting scenes, which are very important to Jackie’s story of recovery, took place at the recreation centre.
Wrightsville Beach – The beach life and homes that face the ocean were beautiful to look at.
Hanover Seaside Club: A scene in the parking lot was filmed here, showing local textures and places where people gather.
Oceanic at Crystal Pier
One of the show’s most visually striking locations, Oceanic at Crystal Pier, offered dramatic seaside shots with its extended boardwalk over the Atlantic. It also added a high-end dining atmosphere to certain key moments in the series.
Airlie Gardens and Studio Work
Airlie Gardens, a 67-acre public garden in Wilmington that was used in Season 2, was another beautiful place in Wilmington that was used. It was used to balance out the show’s intense storyline. This lush location at 300 Airlie Road added beauty and depth to a number of emotional and transitional scenes.
Much of the studio filming for Seasons 2 and 3 took place at Screen Gems Studios, located at 1223 N 23rd Street. The studio offered multiple sound stages and backlot areas for more controlled filming setups.
Season 3: New Wilmington Spots Explored
For its final season, Hightown expanded its use of Wilmington’s diverse locations:
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Rose’s Ice on Market Street – Used for intimate character scenes.
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The Rusty Nail Dive Bar – Provided a raw, local vibe perfect for dramatic moments.
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Former Legacy Lounge (Carolina Beach Road) – Stood in for nightlife scenes.
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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church – Used in moments of reflection and recovery.
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Carolinian Inn on Market Street – Ideal for motel scenes filled with tension.
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Harry Forden 6th Street Bridge – Offered dynamic overhead shots and action sequences.
Why These Locations Worked
Despite the story being grounded in Massachusetts, the combination of Freeport’s coastal authenticity and Wilmington’s cinematic versatility allowed the show to maintain its gritty, seaside aesthetic throughout all three seasons.
In particular:
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Freeport was perfect for early episodes that focused on the hard-partying, working-class marina vibe of Jackie’s world.
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Wilmington, with its robust film infrastructure, helped streamline production while offering beautiful beachside visuals and urban pockets that matched the tone of the show.
- For more updates on where your favorite TV shows and movies are filmed, visit netfilming.com — your go-to source for filming locations and behind-the-scenes news.
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