What We Do in the Shadows filming locations: Where is the vampire mockumentary filmed?

What We Do in the Shadows is coming back for Season 5, once more focusing on the pack of bumbling vampires getting into misadventures in Staten Island. But does the series actually film there, or is that just another illusion?

Based on the cult movie, What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary on the lives of four vampires and their human “familiar” living in Staten Island, New York. The show’s explanation for the group residing there is that they didn’t get too far into America when they landed there in the 1880s, and Staten Island is a quiet place to hide out.

The series is mostly set in this area, with an occasional stop in New Jersey, as the vampires don’t do too much traveling. That adds to the fun vibe as they try to become “lords” of this area but can’t come close to any sort of power.

So is the series really filmed in New York, or is it somewhere else?

Where does WWDITS really filmed?

As it turns out, like many shows supposedly set in New York, What We Do in the Shadows is actually filmed in Toronto, Canada. Between the cool weather and exteriors, it’s an easy stand-in for Staten Island, especially in areas that aren’t so easily identifiable.

However, the exterior of the manor the vampires reside in is all the way across the United States. The stately home pictured is the Jared S. Torrance House. Originally called Rose Hedge, the bloodsucker’s residence is located at 929 Buena Vista Street in South Pasadena, California. It’s only used for a few exterior shots, with the interiors being soundstages in Toronto.

So, it’s a fun illusion for fans of the vampire series to realize What We Do in the Shadows is actually filmed in the Great White North rather than its unique New York setting.

What We Do in the Shadows season 5 premieres Thursday, July 13 at 10/9c on FXX and streaming on Hulu.