Where was The Savant shot? Revisiting key filming locations of the upcoming Apple TV thriller

The Savant is one of the most promising new thrillers on Apple TV+. But one question has stirred particular curiosity: where was it filmed? A filming location can set the tone, and in The Savant, it plays a key role in establishing tension and suspense.

Knowing where The Savant was filmed helps viewers grasp both the context and the deliberate choices that shape its mood. Production deliberately grounded the series in New York and made use of both congested city roads and quieter suburbs to achieve an array of tones. From old city sets to a suburban highway crossing in Sleepy Hollow, every one of these decisions adds to depth.

Let’s trace The Savant’s journey from production delays to the landmark locations now synonymous with its identity.

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Filming locations of The Savant

The primary location where The Savant was shot was New York City. Not by chance, that is for sure, a deliberate choice. New York's mix of skyscrapers, alleys, and close-knit neighborhoods gave just what the show required: realism, randomness, and dirty ambiance. Unlike most programs that cover across several states or shoot on backlots pretending to be a city, the show toughened up to shoot within a city setting.

But the shooting was not limited to Manhattan's core alone. Sleepy Hollow, New York, was one such special highlight where a significant driving sequence was set. The combination of these locations indicates how the series was able to strike a balance between city mayhem and suburban brutality.

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The sleepy hollow driving sequence

One of the most widely publicized filming days for The Savant was in March 2024 in Sleepy Hollow. Productions rolled out onto Route 9, a primary road, to capture a night driving shot. Both the north and southbound sides of the road were used, and filming went on through midnight. There was temporarily rerouted traffic around Sleepy Hollow High School, and local drivers were requested to detour.

This sequence stood out because it wasn’t a studio setup; it used real roads, real roadblocks, and direct collaboration with local authorities. For a thriller such as this, that makes a difference. Working on Route 9 also provided the sequence with a gritty, real-world aesthetic that fits with the tone of the show.

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Production timeline

While the locations of The Savant are interesting, the timeline is also. The project was originally to start filming in September 2023, but due to some production aspects, production was delayed. Instead, cameras began rolling in April of 2024. This holdup ended up benefiting the production crew.

The extra time benefited the procurement process of permits, coordinating logistics, and planning New York's and Sleepy Hollow's big shoots. It also provided the crew with the opportunity to shoot early spring cityscapes and nighttime scenes during longer days, which are appropriate for the mood of the suspense thriller.

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Urban interiors and city streets

While the Sleepy Hollow driving scene made headlines, most of The Savant was filmed in interior city and street locations in New York City. Office buildings, apartment buildings, and other mundane city buildings were utilized to construct the show's world. Indoor filming allowed the team to create more closed-off, tension-filled environments that contrasted sharply with the chaos of exterior scenes.

The actual city interiors, rather than constructed sets, likewise contribute to the realism. Those familiar with New York will see the textures of its office buildings, apartments, and hallways immediately. That quick familiarization contributes to the realism without requiring overt landmarks.

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Why New York was the natural choice

The choice of where to film and have The Savant in New York was not random. New York provides a dual facet to accommodate the show's ideas. On one hand, New York symbolizes control and order through its government hubs and upscale neighborhoods. On the other hand, its unmonitored alleys and crowded streets embody danger, secrecy, and disorder.

For a series of undercover efforts and clandestine dangers, such a balance is crucial. The series employs New York as much background as an effectively working co-protagonist. The city's mood changes along with the tension of the story, light, airy spaces for moments of revelation, and dark, claustrophobic ones for suspense.

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In determining where The Savant was shot, the evidence squarely points towards New York. In shooting both in hectic city streets and more sedate suburbs like Sleepy Hollow, the production gave the series a rich sense of place. The Route 9 driving montage, authentic New York interiors, and general urban fabric all contribute to the thriller's visual identity.

While The Savant will be remembered for its gripping story, its locations deserve equal credit for shaping its identity. New York, rowdy but strategic, classy but dirty, was as much a pragmatic setting as the only city that could do this show's universe justice.

Also read: The Savant: Release date news, cast details, streaming details, and more about the upcoming Apple TV+ series