Upamanyu Biswas
In ‘Long Bright River,‘ police officer Mickey Fitzpatrick finds her life upended after learning about the disappearance of her sister amid growing reports of a serial killer on the loose. The show focuses on the injustices faced by a group of townsfolk who grapple with the dangers associated with the case. It lends a tone of mystery, intrigue, and tension as vulnerable people become the victims of a predator. The rich atmosphere is largely down to the inclusion of notable locations like the 30th District Police Station, which is Mickey’s workplace. We also witness the close dynamics of her family and personal life through a local bar known as the Meeting House of the Somerset String, operated by her grandfather, Gee.
The 30th District Police Station is a Fictional Police Branch at the Heart of the Story
Although ‘Long Bright River’ is set in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, the various locations depicted throughout the series are largely fictional in conception. This extends to the main hub of the series, the 30th District Police Station, which is brought to life by the show’s scriptwriters, Liz Moore, Nikki Toscano, and Russell Rothberg. As filming for the series mainly takes place in New York, specifically in Brooklyn and New York City, alongside some parts of Kensington, the actual structure of the police department could have been remodeled from an existing establishment in one of these locales. The production could have also utilized a studio set to stand in for the department’s interiors and exteriors, which are integral to some dramatic scenes.
A large chunk of the series takes place in outdoor environments. However, a small percentage is concentrated within the halls of the station, where we learn more about Mickey’s professional life and the characters she has to contend with on a daily basis. One of the most important figures within the facility is Sergeant Ahearn, her direct superior, who is constantly on her toes. While the protagonist tries to keep herself away from the drama inside the department, some occasional clashes are inevitable, especially as tensions start flaring with the murder of homeless women in the region. Later, she also befriends Detective Danjarat, a new inspector assigned to the homicide case at the precinct. Thus, it has a prominent role in the narrative despite being relegated to the realms of fiction.
Meeting House of the Somerset String is a Pub With Ties to Mickey’s Personal Life
Like most of the locations portrayed throughout the show, the Meeting House of the Somerset String in ‘Long Bright River’ is a fictional store constructed by the show’s writers. It is a warm and cozy pub operated by Mickey’s grandfather, Gee. As a longtime resident of Kensington, Mickey has ties to the region through her grandfather, who never left the neighborhood in his life. Consequently, much of the family’s legacy and history is tied to the area, including the shop operated by Gee. Although it may not be real, it helps flesh out the protagonist’s past with authentic details that feel steeped in reality. During production, the crew likely employed an actual store to stand in for the pub’s antique interiors. Alternatively, a studio environment may have also been used. The building leaves a memorable mark on the narrative, even if it does not exist in the real world.
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