Interior Chinatown is a crime comedy-drama series based on the novel by Charles Yu. It follows the story of Willis Wu (played by Jimmy O. Yang), a waiter in a Chinatown restaurant who dreams of being the hero of his own story. Willis gets pulled into the world of detective work when Lana Lee (played by Chloe Bennet) recruits him to solve a murder mystery. But his excitement quickly fades when he uncovers a dangerous criminal network, putting his life at risk.
The series takes viewers through Chinatown in the 1990s, showcasing vibrant restaurants, underground nightclubs, and dark alleyways. Let us look at where this interesting series was filmed.
Interior Chinatown Filming Location
Most of Interior Chinatown was filmed in Los Angeles, California. The main filming started in early February 2023 and went on until June 4, 2023. There were also some reshoots to perfect certain scenes.
The cast and crew worked very hard to bring this series to life. On Instagram, Judy Lei, a dialect coach, praised the efforts of the team, saying, “There were many directors throughout the season, eight to be exact, and each of them brought so much energy, dedication, style, and patience everyday—sometimes we’d be there for 12+ hours.”
Los Angeles: Studio and On-Location Filming
Fox Studio Lot
The production team used Fox Studio Lot, located at 10201 West Pico Boulevard in Century City, Los Angeles, to film several interior scenes. The series used Stage 15, one of the biggest stages there, measuring 26,910 square feet. This stage has also been used in famous movies and shows like Fight Club, War of the Worlds, and House.
Universal Studios Lot
The show also used Universal Studios Lot, located at 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City. This huge studio complex spans 40 acres and has 47 soundstages, along with many pre-built outdoor sets.
New York Street Backlot: The Chinatown shown in the series was mainly created using the New York Street backlot. The team built structures like the tiered oriental gate with lion statues to give the area a Chinatown vibe.
Wall Street Backlot: Some scenes, like when the police cordon off the crime scene, were shot in the Wall Street backlot. Lana Lee’s car crash scene with Willis Wu was also filmed here.
The backlots were dressed up with vintage cars, costumes, and props to give the show a 1990s period look.
Using these studio locations provided a controlled environment for filming, which helped the crew manage the complex set designs and maintain the quality of the series.
Rumored Filming Locations
Some reports suggest that parts of Interior Chinatown were also filmed in Toronto, Ontario, and New Zealand, though there is no confirmed information about this.
Toronto, Ontario: Toronto is a popular location for filmmakers because it offers tax incentives, talented crews, and modern studio facilities.
New Zealand: Known for its natural beauty, New Zealand provides stunning landscapes, mountains, and lakes, which filmmakers love.
The series Interior Chinatown was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California, using studio spaces like Fox Studio Lot and Universal Studios Lot. The team worked hard to recreate the vibrant Chinatown setting from the 1990s. While there are rumors about filming in Toronto and New Zealand, Los Angeles remains the heart of this production.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) – Interior Chinatown
1: Where was Interior Chinatown filmed?
A: The series was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California, using studio spaces like the Fox Studio Lot and Universal Studios Lot. Additional on-location filming was done in Chinatown, Los Angeles, though most of the Chinatown seen in the series was created using studio backlots.
2: When was Interior Chinatown filmed?
A: Principal photography for the series started in early February 2023 and concluded on June 4, 2023.
3: What is the release date of Interior Chinatown?
A: The series was released on November 19, 2024, on Hulu.
4: Who is in the cast of Interior Chinatown?
A: The main cast of the series includes Jimmy O. Yang as Willis Wu, Ronny Chieng as Fatty Choi, Chloe Bennet as Lana Lee, Tzi Ma as Willis’ father, and Diana Lin as Willis’ mother.
5: What is Interior Chinatown about?
A: The series follows Willis Wu, a waiter in Chinatown who dreams of being the hero of his own story. He gets caught up in a murder investigation led by detective Lana Lee, only to uncover a dangerous criminal network in Chinatown. The story explores identity, aspirations, and the challenges of breaking stereotypes.