Lessons in Chemistry film locations: Is it really in California?

One of my favorite things about watching period dramas is the way costume and set designers can bring a certain time period to life through outfits and the way sets are decorated. It can take a lot of work to do, like researching what a certain era looks like. One new period drama that’s captured our eye is Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV+. With the show set in 1950s California, was it really filmed in the state as well?

The answer is, yes! Lessons in Chemistry was really filmed in California. While the cameras weren’t rolling in the exact city the series takes place, production did set up shop in The Golden State, according to House Beautiful. We break down the film locations for you below!

Where Lessons in Chemistry was filmed in California

Interiors filmed in California studio

The online magazine did an interview with production designer Cat Smith, who gave some insight on the sets. First off is all the interior spots we see in Lessons in Chemistry. Ace*Mission Studios in Los Angeles, California served as the home for multiple sets built for the Apple TV+ drama. So when we see Elizabeth and Calvin‘s house, the film set of “Supper at Six,” Hariet Sloane’s kitchen, as well as the lab where Elizabeth and Calvin worked, that all took place on the sets built at the LA studio.

Smith decided to make the “Supper at Six” kitchen all pink, as she came to the conclusion with the help of actress Brie Larson, who plays Elizabeth, that a male TV producer would have assumed that’s how women would want their kitchens to look like in the ’50s, per House Beautiful. And when you think about it, that definitely makes sense. While certain studios like the Warner Bros. Studio in Hollywood let’s you take a tour inside, it looks like Ace*Mission Studios does not offer that as an option.

Exteriors filmed in Pasadena, California

While the show takes place in Sugar Hill, California, many of the exterior shots that we see were actually filmed in Pasadena, California. That includes the outside of the homes and other scenes as well. I’m sure as the season goes on, we’re going to see more exteriors. But the bulk of the story does tend to take place indoors. So while not exactly in the city it takes place in, the show does still film in California. And that’s always great because it can be hard to replicate certain areas.

Lessons in Chemistry premiered with the first two episodes on Oct. 13, 2023. Going forward one new installment from the eight-episode season will stream Fridays until the finale on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. The series stars Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott; Lewis Pullman as Calvin Evans; Aja Naomi King as Harriet Slone; Stephanie Koeing as Fran Frask; Kevin Sussman as Walter; Patrick Walker as Wakely; and Thomas Mann as Boryweitz.

Lessons in Chemistry streams new episodes Fridays on Apple TV+.