Where is “Dexter: New Blood” Filmed?

Dexter fans rejoice, your favorite vigilante serial killer is back. But we’re not in Miami anymore. Dexter: New Blood offers a frosty change of scenery from the original series, taking place in the cozy yet dangerous town of Iron Lake. But you might be wondering –Where is Dexter: New Blood filmed? Is Iron Lake a real place? That’s what we’re here to clear up. 

Here’s the low down about where Dexter: New Blood is filmed. And don’t forget, if you’re on the lookout for Iron Lake-esque filming locations for your next film project, Peerspace can help you there, too. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, Peerspace makes it easy to find and book unique spaces in cities around the world. Rely on our platform to connect you with unique spaces that bring your events and productions to life, all operated by local hosts who strive to help you bring your vision to life.

We’ll talk more about Peerspace later. Bur for now, let’s check out “Dexter: New Blood” and its filming locations.

What is Dexter: New Blood? 

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The original “Dexter” series came to a close in 2013, after 8 seasons of “violent delights”. Many fans were left unsatisfied by the open-ended conclusion, which saw Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) fake his own death and assume a new identity as a lumberjack. 

“Dexter: New Blood” takes place 10 years after the final season, following Dexter through his new life as “Jim” in Iron Lake, New York. But though Dexter might’ve left his past behind him, a series of unexplained events in his new hometown cause his Dark Passenger to beckon. And as fans know all too well, violent delights often have violent ends. 

Speaking of “violent ends,” check out our most fabulous murder mystery party ideas ideal for a “Dexter” viewing party!

Where is “Dexter: New Blood” filmed? The real Iron Lake

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While Iron Lake, New York is fictional, the majority of filming for New Blood took place in a real town – Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts

The production chose Shelburne Falls for its close-knit small-town vibes. “We wanted it to be a small town—and [the] population is something like 2,700—where everybody knows everybody else,” said Clyde Phillips, showrunner and executive producer. “People know things that happened two seconds ago.” 

Shelburne Falls is a historic village composed of two towns on different sides of the river. Shelburne sits on the right and Buckland on the left. The Truss bridge, which connects the two towns, featured prominently in New Blood.

According to Atlas of Wonders, Fred’s Fish and Game Workshop (where Jim works) is located just next to one side of the bridge. The butcher shop is the McCusker’s Market Grocery, which is located on the opposite end. Exterior shots of the Iron Lake Tavern were filmed at the West End Pub, a restaurant overlooking the river. However, the restaurant was too small inside to film the dancing scenes. 

The crew had to venture outside of Shelburne Falls to film scenes at the tavern’s interior. They found the perfect spot at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley, Massachusetts. According to the restaurant’s website, Bull Run has been a tavern for centuries, and the same family has owned and operated it since the 1940s. 

Other “Dexter: New Blood” filming locations

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The Bull Run Restaurant wasn’t the only filming spot located outside of Shelburne Falls. The production also shot at locations across central and western Massachusetts. According to the Daily Hampton Gazette, the production took a pitstop at The Whately Diner to film scenes taking palace at the Fillin gas station. The diner is open 24/7 and is popular among real-life truckers passing through. 

Edward Olsen’s mansion is the historic Thayer Estate in Lancaster, Massachusetts. The home was designed by architect Guy Lowell, who also designed the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. According to Zillow, this 21,802 square foot home has over 45 bedrooms and 28 baths spread across three floors. It sold in 2021 for a $2,000,000 price tag. 

The Iron Mine and the Clark Caves were filmed at Tantiusques, an open-space reservation in Sturbridge. Tantiusques is home to one of the earliest mines in New England, where the Nipmuc tribe mined graphite to make paints as early as 1644. Today, the reservation is open year-round for outdoor activities, like hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and hunting. 

The crew took full advantage of the weather

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“Dexter: New Blood” takes place during the holiday season. Ice, snow, and Christmas decorations abound in the outdoor shots. So the production had to take full advantage of the Massachusetts weather. 

“We had to build the schedule around [weather],” explained Marcos Siega, an executive producer and director of 6 New Blood episodes. “[We had to] shoot all of the winter scenes, exteriors, at the end of January, February, March, whenever we started, and then work our way to interiors.” 

According to Siega, the time between shooting exterior and interior shots created a unique challenge for production: “So, the challenging part is we’re shooting a Dexter, “Jim”, walking into a building and we shoot that out in the elements. And then in July, we’re picking it up with the other side of the door, when he steps inside. So it is a bit of a puzzle, keeping that consistent, keeping performances consistent.”

We don’t know about you, but we think they nailed it! Michael C. Hall is as convincing as ever in his signature role. And newcomers like Julia Jones brought a new layer of intrigue to the revival. 

Love all of Showtime’s popular series? Then you need to see where “Shameless” was filmed next!

Where to capture “Dexter: New Blood” vibes in your next project

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So now that we’ve cleared up the question “where is Dexter: New Blood filmed”, let’s talk about where you can film your own Dexter-inspired production. 

As the largest online venue marketplace in the world, Peerspace makes it easy to find and book unique locations across the globe.

You can book cozy and mysterious locations in London, bright and sunny spaces in Sydney, and everything in between. All you have to do is tell Peerspace what you’re planning and when, and you can browse available listings in your chosen metro. Then, you can rent your favorite space by the hour for as long as you need. It’s an easy and budget-friendly way to scout locations for any kind of creative need.

As a fun example, check out this rustic tavern in New York City. It reminds us of Dexter’s own Iron Lake tavern! While it is is a much less remote setting than Shelburne Falls, it is spacious enough for a small or mid-sized event or production of up to 55 guests.

In the words of a Peerspace reviewer: “Fabulous atmospher and exmemplary staff! Alan was great to work with and made sure our party was taken care of. John remembered everyone’s order and was quick to make sure everyone’s glass was full. He also helped to make sure our party stayed private by escorting non-guests out of our area. So wonderful! The food was splendid as well! I would recommend them to anyone looking for a great party experience! I hope to use them again for a future event!”

Where is “Dexter: New Blood” filmed? Conclusion

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We hope you’ve enjoyed this insider’s look at where they filmed “Dexter: New Blood”! Radio Times reports that while there will be no season 2, a prequel is in the works at Showtime. Where that will film, only time will tell!

In the meantime, head to Peerspace to discover all of the amazing bookable spaces near you!

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