Copyright Screen Rant
Settings are incredibly important, and these TV shows have the most interesting and coolest ones. From the twist on Paradise that explains the real setting to creepy Nevermore Academy on Netflix's Wednesday, there is no shortage of memorable TV settings that we love revisiting every time we turn our favorite shows on again. But while most sitcoms have main hang-out locations for the close friend group and dramas are typically set in law offices or hospitals, only some series are set in towns or workplaces that truly stand out. Whether we're looking back on the tiny town where a chilling murder takes place or we're fascinated by a comedy's take on the afterlife, these TV settings never get old. Lost: The Mysterious, Strange Island Lost wouldn't be nearly as brilliant, memorable, or, yes, infuriating if it didn't have such a fantastic setting. The island where the Oceanic Flight 815 survivors end up has more than a few secrets, and while that led to frustrations surrounding plot holes and questions left hanging, it's why the show remains so influential. The sci-fi series uses its setting perfectly, sharing more as time goes on. From the hatch to the creepy ship called the Black Rock, you're always on the edge of your seat wondering about how dangerous this place is. The island also heals John Locke (Terry O'Quinn) so he can walk again, which lets you know it's powerful, too. Oz: A Terrifying Prison If the HBO prestige drama was simply set at a prison, it might not have stood out so much. Instead, Oz takes place in a special area of the Oswald State Correctional Facility where prisoners are supposed to have the chance to better themselves. Of course, Oz is a dark, violent, and unforgettable story, and viewers know that the people there aren't necessarily any better off than if they were in a regular area. Since the characters are stuck together for a long time, their dynamics become even more heightened, and the prison politics and various relationships are so compelling for that reason. Community: A Quirky College Campus Many teen dramas have seen their characters attend college, but all those campuses pale in comparison to Greendale, the setting for the beloved 2000s sitcom Community. It's a fascinating, fun place that has an offbeat dean named Craig Pelton (Jim Rash) and a mix of regular classes like language and economics and more whimsical ones like pottery and billiards. It's a particularly entertaining setting for a sitcom since the Community characters form a study group in a classroom, which becomes a familiar and heartwarming location. It's where they bond and help each other through ups and downs. Greendale also stands out thanks to special events like the annual paintball competition. Stranger Things: The Fascinating Upside Down Stranger Things introduces its typical small town of Hawkins, Indiana and then sweeps you up in the monsters and terror of the Upside Down, an alternate dimension that holds many mysteries. The setting works so well since it's shocking when the characters realize this horrifying place has been right there this whole time. Although other locations on the show are fun, including the nostalgia-inducing Starcourt Mall, the Upside Down is why we keep coming back to the popular Netflix show. Stranger Things does a great job building on the setting each season and sharing more of its history through Vecna's life story in season 4. Only Murders In The Building: The Intriguing Apartment Complex The entire premise of Only Murders in the Building hinges on its beautiful and mysterious setting. Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin) meet and become close friends and true crime podcasters thanks to the fact that they all live in the gorgeous, old Arconia. Each apartment looks unique and different, revealing a lot about its renter. Mabel is staying at her aunt's place and renovating it, which suggests her chaotic place in life, and Charles has a fancy, perfect unit thanks to his sitcom fame. And since the characters assume a killer lives among them, their peaceful home becomes dangerous. The Walking Dead: The Zombie Apocalypse From the moment we see the talented Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes going to Atlanta, The Walking Dead nicely sets up its terrifying and disturbing setting. It was a smart choice to tell this zombie apocalypse story in a big city that is now filled with both survivors and the undead. Watching the characters on their grim journey, you're reminded of how vibrant and busy this place used to be and how scary life is now for those still alive. Memorable locations like the Centers for Disease Control and various farms, highways, and random stores and houses all drive home a horrifying lack of resources. From: A Small Town No One Can Escape From There are eerie small towns in horror movies and TV shows, and then there's the place on From, the Epix/MGM+ series about characters who can't leave a strange town. This creates an all-encompassing and claustrophobic atmosphere since the town itself is the villain and there is truly no safe place to hide. The setting also has mysterious villains, like the Smiley Creature and various paranormal monsters, who contribute to the overall chilling tone Yellowstone: The Compelling Dutton Ranch The incredibly popular contemporary Western series centers around the main location of the Dutton family's ranch in Paradise Valley, Montana, which is the pride and joy of John Dutton (Kevin Costner). It looks beautiful and peaceful, but this cattle ranch leads to competition, battles, and painful dynamics. Continuing the tradition of the Western genre, Yellowstone is all about who really owns this land, with the Duttons saying it's theirs and Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) wanting it. This conflict powers much of the show and is always fascinating. The Wire: The Streets Of Baltimore, Maryland The Wire could never take place in just any city, and the Baltimore, Maryland setting is integral to the plot. Every episode of the HBO drama follows those using and dealing substances, along with Lieutenant Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick) and Detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West). The series excels at depicting several contrasting settings, from the streets of the city to more professional environments like the police department and the newspaper office of The Baltimore Sun. This allows the show to talk about themes like class differences.
