A Definitive List of the Best TV Show Sets of 2023
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Despite a slew of release date pushes, a lot of good TV came out in 2023. Impressive new shows, limited series, and final installments of fan favorites hit the small screen, transporting viewers everywhere from the post-apocalyptic world in The Last of Us to the luxurious homes of Succession’s elite. What comes next in the entertainment industry circle of life, of course, is the recognition of these productions during awards season. As we eagerly wait for more honors to be bestowed, we’re paying special attention to the TV shows with the best production design. After all, the sets and filming locations play a pivotal role in telling each story.
To properly acknowledge the many wondrous sets of TV’s finest, we’re spotlighting 12 must-watch titles. There’s something for everyone within these 2023 releases—whether you’re looking for design inspiration or simply want to be downright impressed by how the sets were created. (And when you’re done browsing, make sure to also indulge in our picks for the best movie sets of 2023.)
Lessons in Chemistry
Set in the 1950s, Lessons in Chemistry puts kitchens of a bygone era on display. A cotton candy-pink one stands out from the rest. While designed to be an over-the-top man's idea of what a housewife would love, the kitchen set is practically a vintage-inspired Barbiecore moment. From scalloped trim to gingham striped wallpaper, it's packed with inspirational details. Take a closer and get more details from production designer Cat Smith here.
The Last of Us, Season 1
During each episode of the post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us, viewers are brought to new filming locations and sets. One of the standout backdrops in the video game adaption—starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey—is an abandoned shopping mall. The ransacked building features an arcade with retro games, an American Girl doll store, and more nostalgic details—all of which you can dissect here with insight from production designer John Paino.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
The Bridgerton universe is known for its extravagant houses, palaces, and castles—and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is no exception. The prequel features new and returning backdrops across the United Kingdom that will make you want to expand your travel bucket list. Not to mention, they'll fill you with endless interior envy. Browse every notable destination here.
Only Murders in the Building, Season 3
Only Murders in the Building has a knack for embodying its characters' personalities through their apartments. During season three, viewers are introduced to Meryl Streep's character Loretta and her tiny NYC residence. The cozy, pattern-filled home boasts a grandmillenial-meets-cottagecore style. It's also dotted with Easter eggs that nod to Streep’s distinguished career. See photos and learn all about how production designer Patrick Howe and his team brought the space to life here.
Beef
In Beef—starring Ali Wong and Steven Yeun—each character's home exhibits their inner conflict. Amy Lau's Southern California home with organic modern interiors is designed to make it seem like she's trapped in a life that she made. Danny Cho’s San Fernando Valley apartment captures a compilation of his tiny failures. Pore over the backdrops by production designer Grace Yun and the team here.
The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher is a compilation of luxury home tours. Based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe, the Gothic horror-drama showcases real homes and built sets that capture each owner's distinct personality. Production designer Laurin Kelsey and her team were challenged with creating varying high-end accommodations. Each one is subtly tied to a color that was assigned to each character by creator Mike Flanagan. Discover more about the sets and filming locations here.
Succession, Season 4
Throughout Succession's four-season run, the Roys and their cohorts frequent countless high-end places that any admirer of architecture, design, and travel would adore. The final season most notably takes viewers to an $83 million California estate and a Norwegian retreat. Absorb every detail about the mesmerizing destinations, including standout locations from previous seasons, here.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Season 5
Fittingly, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is riddled with fabulous locations containing equally admirable interiors. Largely set in the late 1950s and early '60s, they serve as an ode to a bygone era of New York. There are iconic furniture moments (including a nod to Dorothy Draper!) and vibrant colors throughout. Get a breakdown of the best locations in the series's five-season run here.
A Murder at the End of the World
A circular hotel with Japanese wabi sabi-inspired interiors acts as the main secluded setting of A Murder at the End of the World. The location—a mix of sets built in New Jersey, locations in Iceland, and CGI—feels futuristic not because it's cold and minimal but because most of the technology is hidden. Plus, it comes with a bunker—inspired by medieval castles and European churches—that lets in real sunlight through mirrors. Find out more about where filming took place here.
Sex Education, Season 4
Otis's house in Sex Education is one of the most enviable homes on TV. Situated in a private, woodland setting on the England-Wales border, the Norwegian-inspired chalet is an ethereal escape. It has an enticing red-and-white exterior, and the interior sets are a pattern lover's dream. During the fourth and final season, more intriguing locations are introduced, including an old manor house, a museum with a brutalist front facade, and a 12th-century farm. Go through every location you can visit here.
You, Season 4
In You, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is always on the run. Initially, he travels from New York City to Los Angeles. Then he embarks on a new adventure in London (before returning to the Big Apple) during season four. His time in London is arguably the most visually appealing installment of the thrilling series as it features everything from Joe's cozy flat to a lavish country home. If you're eager to know more, read up on the standout settings here.
That '90s Show, Season 1
For That '90s Show, the iconic sets of the spinoff's predecessor were given a makeover. The kitchen boasts a fruit and rooster theme with blue cabinetry, replacing the owl theme with green cabinetry from That ‘70s Show. Fans of the initial show can spot tons of original props and set decoration recreations—including glass grapes, Forman family photos, the Vista Cruiser, the old Green Bay Packers helmet, posters, and the rope pulls from the door of Kelso’s van. Get a full breakdown of nostalgic sets with '90s updates here.
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