Where Was Deadwood Filmed? Timothy Olyphant’s Western Crime Drama Series!

If you’re fond of watching westerns, then I bet you’ve seen Timothy Olyphant’s western TV show, Deadwood (2004). The Western crime drama series is set in the 1800s and recounts the story of a town called Deadwood, which is filled with crime and corruption. In this article, I’ll discuss the series and tell you where was Deadwood filmed. 

Deadwood went on for three years and has 36 episodes. It has three seasons, each more thrilling and fascinating than the last one. Apart from Timothy Olyphant, prominent actors like Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Jim Beaver, Keith Carradine, John Hawkes, Paula Malcomson, and Leon Rippy play some of the other central roles. 

Olyphant made his acting debut in the theater industry, eventually shifting to the television and film industry. The 55-year-old lead actor is known for his subtle yet nuanced acting skills. He is also a critically acclaimed actor and has won several accolades, including a Critics’ Choice Television Award and a Satellite Award.

You must be thinking about where was Deadwood filmed, well, the Western crime drama series was shot in California, United States of America.

The Western crime drama series Deadwood was created by David Milch. It was released on 21st March 2004 on HBO in the United States. Interestingly, a film named Deadwood: The Movie based on the show was released in 2019. If you want, you can stream the movie on HBO MAX. However, let’s take a closer look at the filming locations.

Where Was Deadwood Filmed? Here Are The Locations!

David Milch’s Deadwood won a number of awards, including a Golden Globe Award and eight Emmy Awards. The series was well-received by critics who praised Milch’s writing and Keith Carradine, Ian McShane, and Timothy Olyphant’s extraordinary and flawless performance. Many critics and film enthusiasts consider Deadwood as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

Milch is an American screenwriter and television producer. Some of his other remarkable works include NYPD Blue, Brooklyn South, and Hill Street Blues. The Western crime drama series received a high score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and an amazing rating of 8.6 on IMDb. However, let’s dig a little deeper and find out where was Deadwood filmed.

California, United States Of America

The western crime drama series Deadwood was entirely filmed in and around the state of California. A major portion of the TV series was filmed at a movie ranch known as Melody Film Ranch in Newhall, California. The ranch has been home to numerous westerns for decades, going back to the days of Gunsmoke, which was a radio and television western drama series of the 50s.  

Melody Film Ranch is situated at 24715 Oak Creek Avenue, Newhall, California. Other than the ranch, a number of sequences were also shot in Frazier Park, which is a census-designated area in California.

The production team and the cast filmed in cities like Azusa and Santa Clarita. In order to find different and unique backdrops, the crew moved around quite a bit. While filming in Azusa, the cast and crew set up camp near the San Gabriel River. 

California is home to the Hollywood industry and some of the world’s biggest and major film studios. Be it Universal, Warner Bros, Paramount, or Sony Pictures Studios, all are situated in the state of California. Innumerable movies and TV shows over a long period of time were filmed in various cities and towns in California.

With a population of almost 39 million, California is the most populous state in America. It is also the third largest state in the US. Sacramento is the capital of California. The state has the largest economy in the county with a $3.37 trillion Gross State Product.

Plot Of Deadwood (2004) | Welcome To The Town Of Crime!

The story of Deadwood is set in the late 1800s and narrates the story of Deadwood, a town in South Dakota. Deadwood is a sinking ship and a lawless town filled with all types of crime and corruption. Things take a different turn when Wild Bill Hicock, played by Keith Carradine, and Seth Bullock, played by Timothy Olyphant, visit the town.

Wild Bill Hicock is a former lawman, and Seth Bullock is a man who hopes to find a new meaning in his life and start afresh. But one common thing between them is that they do not tolerate injustice. Soon, both of them come across Al Swearengen, played by Ian McShane, the boss of Deadwood who controls the people of the town and runs a hotel and a saloon.

Final Words

If you happen to be a resident of California, then all you need to do is drive and visit the filming locations I mentioned. And even if you’re not a California resident, then make sure you visit the place whenever possible. Deadwood is a highly recommended series, especially for those fond of intense drama, serious dialogues, and surprising plot twists. Having said that, if you liked reading the article, do not forget to let me know.