Where are the Murder, She Wrote movies filmed?
The Mystery, Inc. series was a huge success, drawing in millions of viewers globally. The show’s spin-off, Murder, She Wrote, starring none other than the iconic Golden Girl, Angela Lansbury, took the world by storm. The show’s wholesome, yet thrilling, vibe captivated audiences, especially during its 12-year run from 1984 to 1996.
Location Scouting in the 1980s
During the early filming days of Murder, She Wrote, the casting team had to scout specific locations that would match the show’s small-town appeal. The show’s cinematographer, Harry Linder, worked closely with James Lee, the show’s producer, to find potential locations. The 1980s were notorious for their film-friendly taxes and regulations, making Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama prime states for filming.
Oxford, Mississippi: Bonnyton Inn
During the first season, episodes were primarily filmed in Mississippi, with the Town of Oxford serving as the main hub. Murder, She Spoke (Season 1, Episode 8) features the Bonnyton Inn, a replica of the famous Oxford antebellum mansion called Rowan Oak. The original Rowan Oak is located at 601 N. Lamar Blvd.
| Location Highlight | Episode Names | Season# | Year(s) Filmed | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnyton Inn | Murder, She Spoke | Season 1 | 1984-1985 | Oxford, Mississippi |
Tennessean Charm: Waverly Hills
Waverly Hills Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee was another popular destination for filming. Ghost Whisperer (Season 1, Episode 10) showcases the sprawling cemetery’s grand entrance gate. This location became so iconic that it’s mentioned in several episodes.
Waverly Hills offers guided tours and is located at 4400 Papa Joe Heck Drive, Nashville, TN 37207
| Location Highlight | Episode Names | Season# | Year(s) Filmed | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly Hills | Murder, She Spoke & Ghost Whisperer | Various | 1984-1995 | Nashville, Tennessee |
Georgia Shoots: Atlanta and beyond
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, the casting team ventured to Georgia and Atlanta for additional filming, specifically for Atlanta’s Piedmont Park & Memorial Drive. Episodic scenes from both The Last Free Ride (Season 1, Episode 15) and The Last Séance (Season 2, Episode 24) were shot in downtown Atlanta.
| Location Highlight | Episode Names | Season# | Year(s) Filmed | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Park & Memorial Drive | Murder, She Spoke &… | Various | 1990-1992 | Atlanta, Georgia |
Piedmont Park Atlanta is located at 400 Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Other Locations Worthy of Mention
From the quaint Townsend, Tennessee, where Jessamine Street doubled as Coburn’s town, to the scenic Ridgeway, Vermont, which stood in as Cabot Cove, each set piece contributed to the atmosphere of Murder, She Wrote.
| Location Highlight | Episode Names | Season# | Year(s) Filmed | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Townsend, Tennessee | [Various] | Various | 1984-1985 | Townsend, TN |
| Ridgeway, Vermont | [Various] | Various | [1985-1991] | Ridgeway, VT |
Tax Incentives and Changing Times
As the demand for filming locations shifted focus towards other states, some of the original locations went out of favor. Additionally, the 1992 Georgia Film, Television, and Radio Production Office offered tax incentives exclusively to Georgia-based productions.
Legacy of Murder, She Wrote
Looking back, the Murder, She Wrote series demonstrates the power of location-specific filming. By embracing America’s rich cultural heritage in the 1980s, the show’s enduring popularity was secured. Visitors to these iconic locations can get a taste of the magical world that once unfolded on-camera.
In conclusion, tracing the filming locations of Murder, She Wrote is a story of adventure, creativity, and a nod to an era when the art of filmmaking was at an all-time high. To this day, fans keep the memory of Cabot Cove alive, visiting Rowan Oak, Nashville’s Waverly Hills, and other locations touched by the iconic series’ magic.
