14 TV Series Filming in Real Haunted Locations

Television productions often spend millions of dollars building elaborate sets to create a sense of atmosphere and dread. Some creators bypass the soundstage entirely and choose to film in real locations that carry their own dark history and ghost stories. These historic buildings and abandoned facilities provide a natural tension that actors frequently claim to feel during the shoot. The following series utilized locations known for genuine paranormal activity to enhance the terror on screen.

‘The Shining’ (1997)

Stephen King utilized The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park for his television adaptation of his famous novel. This location served as the original inspiration for the Overlook Hotel after King stayed there in the 1970s. Guests and staff frequently report seeing apparitions and hearing phantom piano music in the music room. The production team experienced strange occurrences while filming the miniseries at this historic Colorado landmark.

‘Prison Break’ (2005–2017)

The first season of this gritty drama was filmed on location at the Joliet Correctional Center in Illinois. This maximum-security prison had been closed for three years before the production crew arrived to shoot scenes in the cells. Cast members reported feeling uncomfortable cold spots and hearing banging noises coming from empty blocks. The facility housed infamous criminals like John Wayne Gacy and carries a heavy atmosphere that translated well to the screen.

‘American Horror Story’ (2011–Present)

The third season of this anthology series utilized the Buckner Mansion in New Orleans to portray Miss Robichaux’s Academy. This nineteenth-century home is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a former resident named Miss Josephine. The production crew captured the eerie beauty of the Garden District landmark while dealing with its spooky reputation. Local lore suggests the spirit lingers on the property and occasionally makes her presence known to visitors.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

The iconic Kingsroad was brought to life at the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland. This avenue of beech trees is famously associated with the spirit of the Grey Lady who wanders the road at dusk. Local legend claims she is the ghost of a maid from a nearby house who died in mysterious circumstances. The atmospheric location provided a naturally haunting backdrop for Arya Stark during her escape from King’s Landing.

‘Supernatural’ (2005–2020)

Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam served as a filming location for numerous episodes of this long-running paranormal show. This shuttered mental health facility is one of the most filmed locations in Canada and has a reputation for genuine paranormal activity. Former staff and security guards have reported disembodied footsteps and shadows moving through the empty halls. The Winchester brothers hunted fictional ghosts in a building that many believe contains real ones.

‘Downton Abbey’ (2010–2015)

Highclere Castle serves as the primary setting for this acclaimed British period drama. The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon acknowledge that their ancestral home has several resident spirits including a ghostly footman. Cast members have shared stories about strange encounters and feelings of being watched while filming in the opulent rooms. The real history of the castle dates back centuries and provides plenty of fodder for spectral legends.

‘Orange Is the New Black’ (2013–2019)

Exterior scenes for Litchfield Penitentiary were shot at the Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center in New York. This partially abandoned complex features decaying buildings that are widely rumored to be haunted by former patients. The production utilized the creepy atmosphere of the older wings to establish the bleak tone of the prison setting. Urban explorers often visit the site hoping to capture evidence of the supernatural activity reported there.

‘Alias Grace’ (2017)

This psychological thriller filmed key sequences at the Kingston Penitentiary in Ontario. The former maximum-security prison is notorious for housing some of Canada’s most dangerous criminals and hosting public tours about its hauntings. Production staff worked within the limestone walls where guards have reported seeing the ghost of a slain inmate. The oppressive stone architecture added a layer of authentic dread to the adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel.

‘Doctor Who’ (1963–Present)

Caerphilly Castle in Wales has appeared in several episodes of this science fiction giant. The medieval fortress is supposedly the home of the Green Lady who waits for her lost lover on the battlements. Production crews have navigated the stone corridors that are steeped in tragic history and ghost stories. The castle provides a dramatic and potentially spectral setting for the Doctor’s time-traveling adventures.

‘Twin Peaks’ (1990–2017)

The Kiana Lodge in Washington State stood in for the Great Northern Hotel where Laura Palmer was found wrapped in plastic. The Suquamish people believe the land is spiritually charged and some visitors report sensing unseen presences. The misty surroundings and rustic architecture contributed heavily to the surreal and unsettling mood of the series. David Lynch captured the natural mystery of the Pacific Northwest at a location with its own spiritual weight.

‘Nashville’ (2012–2018)

The Ryman Auditorium is a central location in this musical drama and a legendary venue in real life. It is widely considered one of the most haunted places in Nashville with reports of Hank Williams’ ghost singing on stage. Actors performed in the same space where country music history and ghost stories intertwine. The sacred atmosphere of the Mother Church of Country Music added authenticity to the performance scenes.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007–2012)

The Empire Hotel serves as a major setting for Chuck Bass and his business ventures throughout the series. This historic New York City hotel has a reputation for hosting the ghost of a former owner who oversees operations from the upper floors. Guests have reported seeing a translucent figure in the lobby and experiencing flickering lights. The show utilized the real luxury and lore of the location to depict the lives of Manhattan’s elite.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ (2009–2017)

Filming took place extensively in Covington which is known for its high concentration of haunted locations. The Lockwood Mansion scenes were shot at the Worthington Manor where owners have reported strange sounds and moving objects. Cast members spent years working in a town that capitalizes on its spooky history and ghost tours. The southern gothic vibe of the show was enhanced by these genuine antebellum structures.

‘True Blood’ (2008–2014)

The pilot episode featured the Rosalie Mansion in Natchez to represent the Compton family home. This historic property has a dark history involving the Civil War and is said to be inhabited by restless spirits. Visitors to the site often describe sudden temperature drops and the sensation of being touched. The production moved to sets later but the initial atmosphere was established at this genuinely haunted plantation.

Please let us know which of these haunted filming locations you would be brave enough to visit in the comments.