Shubhabrata Dutta
Prime Video’s ‘We Were Liars’ is a psychological thriller show that surrounds the wealthy Sinclair family and what makes their posh world thrive. Adapted from E. Lockhart’s novel series of the same name by creators Carina Adly MacKenzie and Julie Plec, it dives into the daily lives of the Sinclairs, who head to their private New England island of Beechwood every summer to vacation together. What’s supposed to be a much-needed get-together takes a dark turn one summer after 17-year-old Cadence (Emily Alyn Lind) washes ashore with no recollection of how she ended up like that.
A year later, Cadence returns to Beechwood to find out the truth, a dark endeavor that sends her down a rabbit hole of lies and deceit, as the different layers of falsification within her beloved family get peeled off. Mystery takes center stage at Beechwood, which almost becomes a secondary character, taking Cadence by surprise/shock at every other turn.
We Were Liars Filming Locations
While ‘We Were Liars’ is set in New England, filming of season 1 took place in Nova Scotia, specifically in East Chezzetcook, Dartmouth, Chester, and Lunenburg, and in Los Angeles, California. Principal photography was reportedly carried out between the last week of May 2024 and continued for several months before wrapping in the last week of September the same year. “It felt like a family,” Emily told Elle while talking about her experience on set. “Just chaotic, in the best way,” she added.
East Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia
In East Chezzetcook, a rural community on Halifax’s eastern shore, the crew accessed Meisner’s Island, which doubled for Beechwood Island. Located at the tip of Lower East Chezzetcook, the island became the base for filming many outdoor scenes, while a seaside house with scenic views of the beach and the Atlantic Ocean was turned into the summer home of the Sinclairs. The filming dates were seemingly chosen to incorporate summer into the narrative, and the backdrop and environment further aid in establishing the continental and warm setting. The gorgeous community has parks, like the Long Beach Provincial Park and the Nathan Smith Park, and offers Airbnbs for tourists who want to enjoy a few days in relaxation and away from city life.
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
The production team also used Dartmouth, an urban Halifax community, for many outdoor scenes and establishing shots. “We just had a landscape of astonishing nature that we got to play with and capture for the screen, and I think the show looks so beautiful as a result,” co-creator Julie Plec told Elle. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth enabled the crew to highlight the show’s coastal aesthetic. It has numerous marinas and docks, like the King’s Wharf Marina and the Dartmouth Yacht Club. The colorful buildings and neighbors add color and contrast to the show’s canvas, thereby enhancing its visual appeal.
Some popular spots you can visit are Back to the Sea Centre, Alderney Landing, Dartmouth Harbourwalk Trail, Lake Banook, and Shubenacadie Canal Waterway. Burnside, a neighborhood in Dartmouth, served as the background for additional scenes, too. It is primarily known for the Burnside Park, which serves as the community’s business and commercial hub. The crew reportedly used a sound stage in Nova Scotia to capture scenes requiring controlled environments and customizable sets.
Chester, Nova Scotia
The village of Chester, in Mahone Bay, on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, was used as the backdrop for some sequences. Akin to Dartmouth, it is home to many harbors that may have been used as the setting for outdoor shots. The blue waters offer a soothing shift in contrast, while adding variety to the visual style of ‘We Were Liars.’ Well-known landmarks and areas in Chester include Chester Connector, Lordly House Museum, Chester Art Centre, and Graves Island Provincial Park. The village also offers visitors kayaking and sailing facilities. “We weren’t on a soundstage. We were battling the elements, rain delays, hair continuity, sun that set too fast…But our crew was incredible. Everyone wanted to get it right,” Shubham Maheshwari, who plays Gat Patil, told Elle.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
A few scenes were reportedly taped in the port town of Lunenburg, which is located in the eponymous county on the South Shore. The Ovens Natural Park, at 326 Ovens Road, was used to lens additional shots. A casting call was made for young people required for house party scenes filmed near Indian Harbour, a small fishing community. Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its planned layout, which it has maintained since the British settled in the 1750s. Lunenburg is famous for its architecture, some stunning examples of which are Knaut-Rhuland House, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lunenburg Opera House, and Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Other areas you can visit are Blue Rocks, Ironworks Distillery, and Crescent Beach.
Los Angeles, California
The crew of ‘We Were Liars’ reportedly accessed studio space in Los Angeles to record indoor scenes. The city is the home of Hollywood, and naturally boasts some of the best production studios with top-tier facilities across the planet. The scenes in the water may have been shot in water stages. Indoor sequences requiring customizable spaces for the camera to move freely may also have been captured in the studio. Other shows filmed in Los Angeles include ‘Overcompensating,’ ‘Forever,’ and ‘Bad Thoughts.’
Read More: Is We Were Liars Based on a True Story? Are the Sinclairs Based on a Real Family?
