📺 Charleston on the Small Screen: TV Shows Filmed in the Holy City

History, Haunts, & Hahas!
Jan 26
2 min read

Charleston’s historic charm, waterways, and atmospheric streets haven’t just drawn history buffs and ghost hunters — they’ve also drawn TV productions looking for rich, cinematic settings with soul. From crime anthologies to teen dramas, our city has stood in for everywhere from fictional Illinois to forgotten battlefields. Here’s your definitive guide to TV shows filmed in Charleston, SC.

🎬 Outer Banks (Netflix, 2020–present)

Although set in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, this hit Netflix series was mostly filmed in and around Charleston, using Lowcountry marshes, historic homes, and waterfronts to bring the story to life. Filming locations include Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, Lowndes Grove, and Kiawah Island — landscapes that stand in for Pogues’ treasure haunts and waterfront hideouts.

📺 The Righteous Gemstones (HBO, 2019–present)

This satirical comedy centers on a wealthy televangelist family and makes extensive use of Charleston’s urban and suburban backdrops. Filming has included scenes at the Citadel Mall (as the fictional megachurch), North Charleston Coliseum, Riverfront Park, and even John Island sites for outdoor sequences.

🕵️ Mr. Mercedes (AT&T Audience Network, 2017–2019)

Based on Stephen King’s detective series, Mr. Mercedes shot all three seasons in Charleston, with many scenes filmed around the Wagener Terrace neighborhood and along King Street. The city’s mix of historic architecture and modern locales grounded the show’s gritty suspense.

🎭 Vice Principals (HBO, 2016–2018)

This dark comedy about two rival school administrators was filmed throughout Charleston, with recognizable locations including West Ashley, North Charleston, Dorchester Road, and local high schools. The city’s varied landscapes helped punctuate the show’s exaggerated schoolyard politics.

🎖️ Army Wives (Lifetime, 2007–2013)

For years, this series about life connected to a military base was shot in and around the old Charleston Naval Base and nearby neighborhoods. The real military infrastructure and seaside parks added authenticity to the drama.

📺 North and South (Miniseries, 1985)

This Civil War–era epic used Charleston’s historic district and Boone Hall Plantation to evoke antebellum America and the tensions leading up to the war. It helped set the stage for many period films that followed.

🎥 Other Charleston TV Mentions

Southern Charm (reality series featuring Charleston lifestyles and landmarks)
Additional local projects and reality series have used Charleston as either filming location or backdrop, reflecting the city’s versatility for TV production.