Abhiroop Das
Co-directed by Emma Bucht and Susanne Thorson, Netflix’s ‘Diary of a Ditched Girl,’ originally named ‘Halva Malmö består av killar som dumpat mig,’ explores the often raunchy, often heartbreaking romantic odysseys of Amanda. An art designer by profession, she feels that she has been single for too long. However, all of her attempts to find the perfect match go to waste, as her dates keep rejecting her one after the other. Confused, the protagonist juggles with anger and self-doubt, nearly risking a mental collapse. As the show progresses, we begin to perceive more angles to her dilemma, opening the scope to a larger discussion on the nature of love and relationships.
Amanda’s journey is based on the eponymous novel by writer Amanda Romare, which is a dramatized account of her own experiences with dating. The world of romance is heavily dependent on the location, the aesthetics, and the mood, which makes the setting of this Swedish romantic dramedy all the more important. The show’s premise promises the protagonist a figurative date with half the men around her, and that prompts a journey through the lengths and breadths of her melting-pot city. While Amanda hunts for the next trend-setting spot, the setting gradually takes on a life of its own, reigning over her fate.
Diary of a Ditched Girl Filming Locations
Filming for ‘Diary of a Ditched Girl’ took place in the coastal city of Malmö and the town of Grevie, both of which are located in Sweden’s Skåne County. Production commenced in the summer of 2024 and continued between the months of May and September of the same year, as per the reports. The creators decided to adopt an on-site approach to capture the city, and frequently chose lensing real locations over using elaborate sets or augmented graphics.
Malmö, Sweden
‘Diary of a Ditched Girl’ was taped primarily in the city of Malmö, which also serves as a setting within the narrative. As the third-largest city in Sweden, Malmö is famous for its vibrant nightlife, complete with iconic pubs, restaurants, and urban hotspots that light up the city. Here, the crew made complete use of the diverse options they had and sprinkled different elements of the region throughout the narrative. The life of the protagonist, Amanda, begins with her cozy apartment, which is close to Möllevången district, and from there, the iconic Rörsjöparken park, located at Döbelnsgatan 8, 212 13, kickstarts the story’s central premise. The production features a number of eating outlets, with the first pitstop being Pizzeria Rex, situated at Nobelvägen 107, 214 33 in Malmö, Sweden.
Given that much of the story follows Amanda’s attempts at dating, a significant chunk of the production hops between popular hangout spots in Malmö. In particular, filmmaking extended to Plan B, a Nightclub at Norra Grängesbergsgatan 26B, 214 50, which is known for its extravagant parties, often featuring wrestling events. One of the show’s most crucial moments is set in and around the park cum urban square known as Folkets Park. A bar called Far i Hatten, located at the heart of this region, becomes one of the routine hangout spots for Amanda and her friends. Additionally, the team also lensed Café Jesusbaren, which can be found at Falsterboplan 27B, 214 36 Malmö, Sweden. A through line between all of these locations is their modern aesthetic, which neatly syncs up with the lives and anxieties of the protagonist and her friends.
The crew’s pursuit of capturing Malmö’s essence on screen did not stop there, as they then took over Lilla Torg, a city square known for its historic architectural style. Here, Drumbar restaurant, situated at Lilla Torg 9, 211 34, served as the backdrop to a family brunch sequence. Drumbar is famously known for being the first and only Scottish pub in the city, which, in turn, added some cultural zest to the show. Malmö Brewing Co. & Taproom, commonly known as just Taproom, also stood out as one of the filming locations. The bar cum brewery can be found at Bergsgatan 33, 214 22, and its value as a perfect date spot is exemplified by its presence in ‘Diary of a Ditched Girl.’
Filming extended to Moriska Paviljongen, an entertainment venue at Norra Parkgatan 2, 214 36. While the place is generally known for its elegant architecture and theatrical roots, in the show, it doubles as a speed dating center, birthing a series of comedic scenarios. Malmö’s very own Emporia Shopping Center, situated at Hyllie Boulevard 19, 215 32, was also lensed to add to the worldbuilding, along with Paul’s Cemetery, at Sankt Knuts väg 17 C, 211 57 Malmö. Both these locations tap into the full extent of what the city can offer, and the crew took extra effort in integrating them into the narrative and the show’s overall creative identity. The bustling streets of Friisgatan, known for extravagant boutiques, cafés, restaurants, antique shops, and other outlets, became one of the defining elements of the show, with the crew often using it as a background during key scenes.
The crew also paid a visit to Malmö’s Mazetti chocolate factory, and made use of its historic significance by taping the nearby resort, The More Hotel, located at Norra Skolgatan 24, 214 22. The iconic seaside bathhouse known as Kallbadhuset was also a core filming location. Situated at Limhamnsvägen, Brygga 1, 217 59, the picturesque location stands out as one of the most unique dating spots that are explored within the show. Additionally, the seaside neighborhood of Ribersborg, particularly with its sea bridge located at Brygga 1, 217 59, also stood out as one of the shooting points. Within the show, the place serves as an audience to both moments of romance and personal catharsis, perfectly embodying the story’s two core tenets.
Grevie, Sweden
A portion of ‘Diary of a Ditched Girl’ was also taped in the quaint town of Grevie, located on the west coast of Skåne County. Although the location only appears for a brief amount of time, it leaves a lasting mark, with its residential complex serving as the backdrop to several intense sequences. The transition from Malmö’s hustle and bustle to the quiet lanes of Grevie was likely intentional on the creators’ end, as it amplifies the finer tonal shifts in the narrative. As such, the myriad locations brought to life in the show all point to the characters’ collective consciousness on some level, charting its ups and downs as a reflection of how they travel and express their emotions at large.
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