Dark Matter is an engaging sci-fi series on Apple TV+ that follows a Chicago-based physicist, Jason Dessen, who gets swapped into an alternate version of his life. He then has to fight to return to his normal life while his alternate personality tries to harm his family. The series features some scary and spooky visuals featuring an alternate version of Chicago, making one wonder where was it filmed. So here is all you need to know about the filming locations of Dark Matter.
Chicago, Illinois
Since the premise of the show is set in Chicago, Illinois, the production team chose the same city as the primary filming location. The production began in the city in October 2022 and went on till April 2023. The shoot majorly took place at Cinespace Film Studios, located at 2621 W 15th Pl, Chicago. Dark Matter features a huge number of VFX shots, which were filmed at the same studio.
Opened in 2011, Cinespace Film Studios, led by CEO Alex Pissios, emerged as the largest independent film studio outside Los Angeles. Located on 60 acres in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, it features 36 sound stages. Termed the “Hollywood of the Midwest,” the studio injects billions into Illinois’ economy.
Cinespace also accommodates space for production offices, equipment rentals, and post-production services. The studio has hosted the filming of over 40 major productions over the years including Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Proud Mary, Captive State, Chicago PD, The Exorcist, Proven Innocent, and Night Sky.
Some portions of Dark Matter were filmed at Montrose Harbor, situated at 601 West Montrose Avenue. The harbor boasts stunning skyline views, a vibrant dinghy fleet, and a welcoming community of boaters. Hosting the Corinthian Yacht Club, the harbor offers 711 slips. The shoot also took place in Downtown Chicago.
Downtown Chicago is known for its iconic skyline, with towering skyscrapers like the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center. It’s a bustling hub of commerce, culture, and entertainment, housing prominent attractions like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The Magnificent Mile in the neighborhood offers world-class shopping, while the Loop area buzzes with theaters, restaurants, and lively nightlife.
Apart from the above locations, the filming of Dark Matter also took place on the outskirts of the city, particularly near the border of Gary, Indiana. Chicago has served as a filming location for several other shows and films as well, including The Dark Knight, Prison Break, The Good Wife, Top Gun, The Sixth Sense, Spider-Man 2, Emily in Paris, Now You See Me, Kong: Skull Island, Transformers: The Last Knight, Station Eleven, and Fargo.
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