With production fleeing, these TV shows are mounting an L.A. love story

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For years, people have worried about less filming happening in and around Hollywood. Recently, things have started to look up. New state support, like tax breaks and lower fees for filming, appears to be having a positive effect. FilmLA reports that the first three months of 2026 saw nearly a 10% jump in the number of days films and TV shows were actually shot locally.

Making it cheaper to film in Los Angeles is crucial for attracting more productions. However, there’s another interesting trend happening: many popular TV shows are now deliberately highlighting the city’s specific neighborhoods and details, almost as if to counter the recent move of filming elsewhere.

Los Angeles has been the backdrop for countless TV shows, ranging from classic comedies like “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” to police dramas like “Dragnet” and “The Shield,” and more recent hits such as “Insecure” and “Modern Family.”

More often than not, Los Angeles was portrayed using tired, predictable images – think palm trees, beaches, highways, the Hollywood sign, and views from places like Mulholland Drive or the supposedly dangerous streets of South Central – which often annoyed people who actually lived there.

New York City often takes center stage in films and TV shows, but Los Angeles has always been remarkably adaptable. This, combined with its pleasant weather, is why filmmakers were initially attracted to the area. With mountains, deserts, and beaches all within easy reach, Los Angeles offered limitless options for filming, and ultimately hosted the production of far more movies and TV shows than it was actually depicted in.

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Mara Brock Akil reimagines the classic young adult novel in a story about two Los Angeles teens, played by Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr., who experience a blossoming romance.

Recently, shows like “The Studio,” “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Shrinking,” “I Love L.A.,” and “Nobody Wants This” have started showcasing the real, diverse, and sometimes gritty sides of Los Angeles’ many neighborhoods and cities.

Fans of the Netflix rom-com “Nobody Wants This” can now take a three-hour tour with On Location Tours, visiting many of the show’s filming spots around Los Angeles. This tour began this month.

I’m so excited about this new tour, “Nobody Wants This”! It hits all the coolest spots around here – from the beautiful Wilshire Boulevard Temple and Harold A. Henry Park, to places like the Academy Museum and Nancy Silverton’s amazing Osteria Mozza. They even include a stop at West Hollywood’s Pleasure Chest and the Preserve LA co-working space. But honestly, the highlight for me is seeing Chris Burden’s incredible “Urban Light” installation at LACMA – it’s a must-see! It’s a perfect way to experience the diverse side of Los Angeles.

For years, Los Angeles has offered tours focused on Hollywood – buses, trams, and walking groups are common sights, just like the famous landmarks they showcase. However, those wanting to visit locations from their favorite TV shows usually had to plan their own trips, often using resources like those from The Times.

Georgette Blau, who runs On Location Tours, believes Los Angeles’s large size contributes to the difficulty of film and TV location tours. Her company has been offering tours based on shows like “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” in New York for years, and she notes that the close proximity of filming locations there makes things much simpler.

Awards

A look inside the Los Angeles filming locations for shows like ‘Hacks,’ ‘Forever,’ and ‘The Studio,’ which beautifully capture the spirit of our city.

“Nobody Wants This” is part of a growing number of shows that portray realistic Los Angeles life—showing people navigating their local neighborhoods and everyday spots, rather than the often-glamorized, fast-paced version seen in many films and TV shows. It focuses on how Angelenos actually spend their time and get things done, acknowledging that traveling across the city takes more than just a quick drive.

HBO’s “I Love L.A.” quickly felt authentic, starting with a relatable argument between its characters about the difficulty of reaching the beach if you don’t live right by it. The show’s characters in their twenties spend time walking around Echo Park Lake and the Silver Lake Reservoir, and frequent popular spots like Erewhon, Courage Bagels, Capri Club, and Tenants of the Trees. They occasionally visit Dan Tana’s, an Italian restaurant, and the show includes glimpses of Jumbo’s Clown Room and Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

Apple TV+’s satirical series “The Studio” sharply parodies people in the entertainment industry, but it realistically portrays Los Angeles itself. Locals will instantly recognize the show’s locations, including landmarks like The Ebell, Smokehouse Restaurant, the Hollywood Roosevelt and Beverly Hilton hotels (where the Golden Globes are held), several John Lautner-designed houses, and familiar streets and city views.

The Apple TV+ show “Shrinking” is filmed primarily in and around Pasadena. Familiar locations like Castle Green park feature prominently, with scenes shot on the bench where Paul (Harrison Ford) and Alice (Lukita Maxwell) talk. Characters hike in Eaton Canyon, enjoy coffee at Copa Vida, and the Rose Bowl, Colorado Street Bridge, and City Hall also appear in the show.

Both “The Lincoln Lawyer” (on Netflix) and “Bosch” (on Prime Video) are set in the same world created by Michael Connelly, and the main characters – defense attorney Mickey Haller and LAPD detective Harry Bosch – share a family connection as half-brothers. Like “Bosch,” “The Lincoln Lawyer” beautifully showcases Los Angeles, taking viewers to iconic spots like the Bradbury Building and Venice Beach Boardwalk, as well as beloved local favorites such as the LA Riverwalk, Resurrection Catholic Church in Boyle Heights, Langer’s Deli, and the 6th Street Bridge as Haller pursues justice.

While HBO Max’s “Hacks” is known for its Las Vegas setting, much of the show actually takes place in Los Angeles. We first meet Ava Daniels in L.A., and it’s where Jimmy, Kayla, and Randi all work. Deborah Vance also has a second home there, famously known as the Rand McNally house, which was lost in a fire. Throughout the series, the show features locations like the Americana at Brand, the Fairfax District, and the Elysian Theater. Jimmy’s office also relocates from Century City to the American Cement Building in MacArthur Park, signaling a change in his career.

Los Angeles can still convincingly portray almost any location, but these shows – and countless others – prove that the city’s own stories are endlessly rich and plentiful.

Hopefully, the “Nobody Wants This” tour will inspire others to explore Los Angeles beyond the beaches. While L.A. is known for its mountain-to-beach views, it also has many unique neighborhoods, just like New York City, each one worth its own dedicated tour and exploration.

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2026-05-20 13:34