Seven movies and TV shows you didn’t know were filmed in Central Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- From Civil War dramas to zombie thrillers, you might be surprised to learn that several popular movies and TV shows were filmed in Central Virginia.

8News compiled a list of seven movies and TV shows that were either fully or partially filmed in Central Virginia.

"The Walking Dead: World Beyond" (2020-2021)

"The Walking Dead: World Beyond," a spinoff of the original "Walking Dead" series, was filmed in Virginia. The series, which ran for two seasons from October 2020 to December 2021, filmed in locations including Richmond.

The series was shot across Central Virginia, including Hopewell, Richmond, Petersburg, Powhatan and Charles City.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the series was filmed at several notable sites around Richmond, including Maymont, the Science Museum of Virginia, Hadad's Lake and Powhatan State Park.

"Dopesick" (2021)

The Hulu miniseries "Dopesick," which examined America's struggle with opioid addiction and the effect it had on individuals and their families, was filmed in Richmond and Clifton Forge from December 2020 to May 2021.

According to a release from 2021, the show was based on the book “Dopesick” by Beth Macy, about the rise in opioid addiction in Appalachia, including parts of Western Virginia.

Ralph Northam, who was governor of Virginia during the time of the show's production in the Commonwealth, announced that the series would be filmed in Virginia on Nov. 24, 2020.

While much of the series was shot in Central Virginia, production also took place in Clifton Forge and the Shenandoah Valley.

“Virginia continues to be a premier production hub for filmmakers seeking an authentic, film-friendly environment and a home away from home,” Northam said. “It is wonderful to see this story from a Virginia author transformed from page to screen right here in our Commonwealth. We are honored to host the impressive team behind this compelling and consequential project, and to play a role in putting a universal spotlight on the opioid epidemic that continues to devastate American families and communities from all walks of life.”

8News reported that filming took place at the Hopewell Courthouse on 100 East Broadway Street on March 12, 2021.

"Lincoln" (2012)

Steven Spielberg's film "Lincoln" was filmed primarily in Petersburg, with additional scenes shot in Richmond.

The 2012 biographical historical film about Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was also filmed at the Virginia State Capitol and the Virginia Executive Mansion.

The film focuses on Lincoln's efforts in January 1865 to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude, ultimately passing the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

"Homeland" (2011-2020)

The popular Showtime series "Homeland" was filmed primarily around Charlotte, North Carolina, but season seven was filmed in Richmond.

Filming for the seventh season took place in September 2017, Variety reported, ahead of its 2018 debut.

The series began filming in the Richmond area in the fall for the 2018 debut. "Homeland" was eligible for Virginia's film tax credit, the value of which would be determined by the number of local workers hired, as well as the amount of goods and services produced, according to Variety.

"Swagger" (2021-2023)

Filming for the Apple TV series, "Swagger," took place across the Central Virginia area.

Created by Reggie Rock Bythewood, the series was inspired by NBA player Kevin Durant’s youth basketball experience growing up in the D.C., Virginia and Maryland area. Durant grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

A few of the show’s cast members included O’Shea Jackson Jr., Isaiah Hill and Shinelle Azoroh.

After being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, filming resumed in Richmond in December 2020, and scenes were also filmed in Hopewell in March 2021.

The series made its way to the Richmond area for its second and final season, filming from July until December 2022.

The show reportedly filmed its pilot episode in Richmond's Gilpin Court in the summer of 2019.

"The Good Lord Bird" (2020)

The historical drama miniseries, based on the 2013 novel of the same name by James McBride, "The Good Lord Bird," focused on John Brown's raid against American slavery. The raid failed to start a slave revolt, but it is credited with provoking the start of the Civil War. 

The seven-episode series began filming in July 2019 in Powhatan.

“The Good Lord Bird will be a fantastic showcase of all that our Commonwealth has to offer,” Northam said at the time. “Virginia has emerged as a popular destination for lucrative film and television productions, a hard-earned reflection of our film-friendly atmosphere, talented workers, and unparalleled scenery.”

At the time, AMC was also preparing to cast and film "The Walking Dead: World Beyond."

"Harriet" (2019)

The biographical drama film "Harriet," which stars Academy Award-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo as abolitionist Harriet Tubman, was filmed entirely in Virginia.

The film depicts Tubman's journey of freeing hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad and becoming an American freedom fighter.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, "Harriet" was filmed entirely in Virginia -- in Richmond, Powhatan, Tamworth, Petersburg and Mathews.

Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County served as a stand-in for Auburn, New York.

“It’s exciting and there [are] people running all over the place, but I think once you get over the initial wow factor, you just have to be prepared,” actor Brian Landis, who was born and raised in Virginia, said about working on the movie set.

Know of a movie or TV show filmed in Central Virginia that’s not listed here? Let us know by sending an email to news@wric.com.