Dec. 23, 2016 - Producers of “The Girl on the Train,” “Homeland,” “The Americans,” and “Madam Secretary” are among the top films and television shows that chose Westchester County for many of their most memorable scenes, according to Westchester County Tourism & Film.
A long-sought-after location for its beauty, accessibility, and affordability, Westchester had a filming boom this year, which, according to County Executive Robert P. Astorino, is largely due to our outstanding location and the county’s film location services.
“The county is incredibly attractive to location scouts and producers because it offers so many unique locations without having to travel far,” said Astorino. “In less than a half hour from New York City, here you’ll find beautiful parks and shorelines, historic Main Streets, suburban neighborhoods, and busy urban sites. We also offer stunning hotels that serve as great locations for shooting, and as comfortable retreats for cast and crew to stay. The added benefit is that our Tourism & Film team has a sophisticated understanding of the industry’s needs, and provides expert service to facilitate production in Westchester.”
Westchester’s filmography is packed with big budget films, thought provoking Indies, and critically acclaimed television and cable series. In 2016, the top screen moments were:
- “The Girl On The Train” (DreamWorks Pictures/Universal): This psychological thriller owed its idyllic suburban exterior scenes to locations in Tarrytown, Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Ardsley, and White Plains.
- "The Affair” (Showtime) Scenes from this tale about the destruction of two marriages were set in Yonkers, with prison scenes filmed at Westchester County Correctional Facility.
- “Divorce” (HBO): Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Hayden Church untied the knot against the beautiful backgrounds of Hastings on Hudson and Saxon Woods this year.
- “Homeland” (Showtime): This hit drama often finds itself in Westchester for filming, and in 2016, the show filmed at Westchester County Correctional Facility.
- “Elementary” (CBS): This show, starring Lucy Liu, has filmed in various spots around the county, including White Plains. Scenes this year were shot in Saxon Woods and in the Pleasantville Diner.
- “The Americans” (FX): When searching for picture perfect American settings, it’s no surprise that Westchester County was the location of choice for this spy drama. This year, the show filmed at Playland and Croton Gorge Park.
- “Mr. Robot” (USA Network): This Golden Globe winning, Emmy nominated show put its vigilante hackers in the historic setting of Lenoir Mansion in Hastings on Hudson.
- “Madam Secretary” (CBS): Both Kensico Dam Plaza and Tibbetts Brook Park were Westchester County backdrops in this political drama starring Tea Leoni.
- “Blind Spot” (NBC): The mystery behind this FBI drama slowly unraveled in locations around Westchester County, including Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers.
- “The Blacklist” (NBC): This crime drama starring James Spader is a frequent visitor to Westchester. 2016 was no exception, as the cast and crew headed to Glen Island Beach in New Rochelle for filming.
While awards and accolades aren’t guaranteed by simply filming in Westchester, according to Mr. Astorino, it certainly doesn’t hurt.
“I won’t go as far as saying that our Westchester locations guarantee Golden Globes or Emmys, but we have a pretty impressive track record of being the destination of choice for the best of the best. Producers should come to Westchester to be in their stellar company. You never know, you might end up on my list next year, or even better, you might end up at the Oscars!”
About Westchester County Tourism & Film
Tourism & Film is Westchester County’s official destination marketing organization. Its mission is to generate economic benefits by enhancing the image and promoting Westchester County as a premier business and leisure destination in the Hudson Valley region. The Tourism & Film Office in Westchester County is a division within County Executive Robert P. Astorino’s Office of Economic Development.
Photo caption: Dominic West as Noah and Jennifer Esposito as Nina in The Affair (season 3, episode 1). (Photo: Jojo Whilden/SHOWTIME - Photo ID: TheAffair_301_0268)