Where Is NCIS New Orleans Filmed?

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Over the past seven seasons spanning seven years, NCIS: New Orleans or NOLA, has gone on to become one of the most successful police procedural dramas. The show enjoyed massive popularity in New Orleans – the location where it is based. However, the youngest show in the NCIS franchise is slated to end with its currently airing seventh season. The announcement hit the stands on 18th February 2021.

Although the show is set in New Orleans, fans are curious to know where the episodes were filmed and whether it involved any on-location filming. Read on to find all the answers to your questions.

Neighborhoods and Spots Where The Show Was Filmed

As the name suggests, NCIS: New Orleans is based in New Orleans.

The series has been filmed both on sets and on location. However, unlike other shows, which would have preferred controlled environments, NCIS producers are unafraid to explore shooting at the location. 

The eight-day shooting pattern was originally divided into a 50-50 format. However, the scenic value of the location compelled the producers to switch to the 5 days on location and 3 days on a set schedule. However, it is worth mentioning here that the sound stage is located in Harahan in the Jefferson Parish of Louisiana.

To paint a more authentic picture, the show has roped in performers like Yes Ma’am, Treme Brass Band, the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys Traditional Jass Band, and more. Furthermore, it also makes references to local eateries, such as Cafe du Monde, Mother’s, and Chubbies to lend more credibility to this setting.

Such measures have earned the approval and respect of the locals, who have been appreciative and welcoming of the show’s presence and the publicity that it gets.

Uproar About Filming of the Show in 2018

While the locals may be glad about the realistic New Orleans representation, not everyone has been thrilled or onboard about the shooting. In fact, the franchise drew a lot of ire in 2018 when the staff treated the local community poorly.

The movement against NCIS started with a resident complaining against the production team, which was banging into trees near his home and screaming at his neighbor’s young child. The loud generators and cordoning off of the shooting area without any prior notice also did not go down too well with the House Ways and Means Committee. Any concerns regarding these plans were met with haughty and rude behavior.

The local legislative body, upon realizing that the production company and residents were not on the same page decided to intervene and draft new rules of behavior for the crew. The Committee decided to mandate the issuance of a permit and insurance before every shoot. Further, the production crew was warned to strictly follow the city guidelines and distribute flyers in advance notifying them of any filming plans.

By making the process more systematic and addressing the general lack of respect, the House Ways and Means Committee bridged the gap between the two sparring parties.

Random Facts and Trivia Related to the Show

We bet that we have captured your interest surrounding NCIS: New Orleans. Here are a few other things that you (probably) didn’t know about the show:

  • NCIS protagonist Scott Bakula and Chelsea Field, who play love interests in the show, are actually married in real life.
  • Dwayne Pride’s famous catchphrase “Laissez les bons temps rouler” literally translates to “Let the good times roll.”
  • Necar Zadegan, who plays Special Agent Hannah Khoury, is fluent in Persian, German, French, and has studied Hebrew, Spanish, and Arabic.
  • Daryl “Chill” Mitchell (Patton Plame) had a moderately successful hip-hop career in the 1980s. Much like his character on NCIS: New Orleans, the actor is wheelchair-bound as a 2001 accident left him paralyzed waist down.
  • Pauley Perrette and Michael Weatherly are the only NCIS characters to have featured in all the NCIS universe shows.
  • NCIS: New Orleans is the only NCIS show in the series to feature main characters driving cars with lights and sirens on.

Other Shows Filmed in New Orleans

New Orleans’ unique history and eloquent charm coupled with its distinctive architecture and natural beauty, have served as the perfect backdrop and setting for several movies and TV series across the decades.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular TV shows filmed in New Orleans.

American Horror Story

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So far, two seasons of the popular horror show, American Horror Story have been shot in New Orleans. Coven, the third season of AHS, took viewers to one of the most haunted mansions in New Orleans. Even though the subsequent season of the show (AHS Freak Show) was set in Jupiter, Florida, it was filmed in New Orleans.

Scream

The second season of MTV’s slasher TV series, Scream, was filmed in New Orleans. Even the auditions for the reboot of the classic were hosted in New Orleans.

Scream Queens

Fox’s comedy-horror series, Scream Queens, transformed New Orleans’ Tulane University into the fictional Wallace University and P.J.’s Coffee as the campus coffee shop.

Ravenswood

Even though Ravenswood, a show based on the life of Edgar Allan Poe, appears to be set in Pennsylvania, the show is actually shot in New Orleans.

Claws

TNT’s dark comedy-drama crime show “Claws” may be set in a nail salon in Florida. However, the shooting for the series mainly takes place in New Orleans.