The 2026 crime drama Scarpetta quickly caught attention not only for its gripping storyline but also for its atmospheric filming locations. Starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis, the series follows a brilliant forensic pathologist solving complex cases.

Scarpetta 2026 official trailer

Although the story takes place in Alexandria, most of the series was actually filmed in Scarpetta and nearby areas. Production teams used historic buildings, elegant hotels, and iconic landmarks across Tennessee to recreate multiple settings seen in the show.

If you’re curious about the real places where Scarpetta was filmed, here’s a complete guide to the main filming locations used in the series.

TL;DR – Main Scarpetta Filming Locations

Most scenes were filmed in Nashville.
The story is set in Alexandria, but Tennessee doubled for many locations.
The main residence in the series is the Absalom Thompson Home.
Several historic places like Tennessee State Capitol and The Hermitage Hotel appear in the show.
Some key scenes were filmed outside Nashville, including the Market Street Bridge.

Where Was Scarpetta Filmed?

Most of Scarpetta was filmed in Nashville, a city that has quietly become one of the fastest-growing filming hubs in the United States. With its mix of historic architecture, modern cityscapes, and film-friendly production incentives, Nashville has been attracting more TV and streaming productions in recent years.

Even though the story is set in Alexandria, the production team found that Nashville offered a wide variety of filming environments that could convincingly double for different cities throughout the show.

From historic estates to government buildings, many of the locations used in Scarpetta are real places you can visit today.

Scarpetta’s House Filming Location

One of the most important locations in the series is the home of Kay Scarpetta. The exterior and several scenes were filmed at the historic Absalom Thompson Home.

Located in the Oaklawn Plantation area, this beautiful historic property features classic Southern architecture, wide porches, and elegant grounds that perfectly match the tone of the series. The location helped create a calm yet mysterious atmosphere for the main character’s residence.

Because of its preserved historical style, the property is often used for film and television productions that require an authentic historic setting.

the Oaklawn Plantation area.

Old Hickory Village – Flashback Scenes

Some flashback scenes in the series were filmed in Old Hickory Village.

This neighborhood has a distinctive historic look that makes it ideal for period scenes. In Scarpetta, the area was transformed to resemble 1970s-era New Jersey, showing how flexible Nashville’s locations can be for different storytelling needs.

Old Hickory Village is known for:

Historic homes
Quiet streets
Early 20th-century architecture

These elements helped production designers recreate a completely different time period on screen.

Government Buildings in the Series

Several scenes involving government offices were filmed at the impressive Tennessee State Capitol.

The building’s grand Greek Revival architecture made it a perfect stand-in for government buildings in Virginia. With its historic appearance and iconic columns, it helped create the official and political atmosphere required for many scenes in the show.

This landmark is one of the most recognizable buildings in Nashville and frequently appears in film productions.

Tennessee State Capitol used as government building filming location in Scarpetta — Government scenes were filmed at the historic **Tennessee State Capitol**. Image: Travis Saylor

Luxury Hotel Scenes

Another notable filming location is the historic The Hermitage Hotel.

The hotel appears in several scenes, including moments set in the upscale restaurant inside the building. Known for its elegant design and long history, the hotel provided a visually rich setting for dramatic conversations and key plot developments.

This location has also been used in other productions because of its:

Classic luxury interior
Historic significance
Cinematic atmosphere

Stay at The Hotel Featured in Scarpetta

Bridge Scenes in the Series

Some of the most visually striking scenes in Scarpetta were filmed on the Market Street Bridge, also known as the John Ross Bridge.

The bridge appears in both the premiere and the finale of the season, helping establish dramatic transitions between major story events. Its long structure and scenic surroundings make it a memorable visual element in the show.

Filming outside Nashville allowed the production team to expand the visual scope of the series.

Market Street Bridge Chattanooga filming location seen in Scarpetta premiere and finale — Important scenes were filmed on **Market Street Bridge**. Image: **Colon Freld**

Cemetery Scenes

Several emotional and atmospheric scenes were filmed at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

This historic cemetery is known for its garden-style layout and peaceful environment. For the series, it provided a natural backdrop for graveyard scenes and reflective moments involving key characters.

The location adds depth and mood to the story while maintaining realism.

Mount Olivet Cemetery.

The Fictional Thor Labs Headquarters

In the series, the fictional company Thor Labs is shown operating out of a large office building. In real life, this building is Nashville City Center.

Located in downtown Nashville, the building’s modern architecture contrasts with many of the historic locations used in the show, helping represent the corporate and investigative side of the story.

Nashville City Center building used as Thor Labs headquarters in Scarpetta — The fictional Thor Labs headquarters is actually **Nashville City Center**. Image: Mark Direen

Italian Market Scene

One interesting location used in Scarpetta is Little Hats Market.

The production team transformed this authentic Italian market into a location that represents a market in Miami within the show. This demonstrates how filming crews often modify real locations to match completely different settings on screen.

Small businesses like this often appear in TV series because they bring authenticity and detail to scenes.

Little Hats Market Nashville filming location used as Italian market in Scarpetta.

Alexandria City Hall Scenes

Some interior scenes that appear to take place in Alexandria’s city hall were actually filmed inside the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

More specifically, Watson Founders Hall inside the building was used to depict the mayor’s office in the series.

The elegant design of the space made it perfect for scenes involving city officials and important meetings in the storyline.

Explore This Nashville Experience
One of the interesting experiences near the Scarpetta filming locations in Nashville.

Schermerhorn Symphony Center Nashville filming location used as Alexandria City Hall in Scarpetta.

Why Scarpetta Was Filmed in Nashville Instead of Virginia

Many viewers are surprised to learn that a series set in Virginia was filmed mainly in Tennessee. However, there are several reasons why productions choose locations like Nashville.

1. Film Incentives

Tennessee offers financial incentives that help reduce production costs for television and streaming series.

2. Variety of Locations

Within a relatively small area, Nashville offers:

Historic buildings
Urban environments
Suburban neighborhoods
Scenic landscapes

This allows filmmakers to recreate multiple cities without traveling far.

3. Growing Film Industry

In recent years, Nashville has become increasingly popular with film studios and streaming platforms. Productions find it easier to coordinate filming there compared to some larger cities.

4. Flexible Architecture

Many buildings in Nashville can easily double for locations in other states, including Virginia and New Jersey, which is exactly what happened in Scarpetta.

Scarpetta Season 2 Filming Updates

Season 1 of Scarpetta completed filming in March 2025 before premiering in March 2026 on Amazon Prime Video.

Reports indicate that production for Season 2 has already begun, with much of the filming expected to continue in Nashville.

If the show continues to gain popularity, we may see even more recognizable locations featured in upcoming seasons.

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