Where was Bad Monkey filmed? All shooting locations explored

Bad Monkey is the latest offering from the creative powerhouse Bill Lawrence who has made a splash on Apple TV+ since its premiere on August 14, 2024. The black comedy-drama series adapted from Carl Hiaasen's 2013 novel explores the dark underbelly of Florida's sunlit landscapes.

Bill Lawrence, who is known for hits like Ted Lasso and Shrinking, brings his unique touch to the series, infusing it with a mix of suspense and humor that captures the quirky spirit of Hiaasen's writing.

With Vince Vaughn leading a dynamic cast that includes Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith and Rob Delaney, the series features the picture of crime and corruption in the picturesque settings of the Florida Keys and Miami. The decision to film on location in Florida enhances the authenticity of the series and pays homage to the vivid setting of the original novel.

Filming for Bad Monkey kicked off in February 2022, primarily across the Florida Keys and Miami. Iconic locations like Duval Street in Key West prominently feature in the series, providing a backdrop but becoming a character in their own right.

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Bad Monkey's strategic choice of filming location and the impact

Bad Monkey (Image via AppleTV+)

Choosing Florida as the filming location for Bad Monkey paid off in spades. The lush, unruly beauty of the Keys and vibrant urbanity of Miami lent the series an air of authenticity that studio sets struggle to replicate.

Scenes shot on the busy sun-drenched streets of Duval Street or the tranquil yet eerie shores of the Keys capture the essence of Hiaasen’s Florida, which is a place of beauty and decay, or in other words paradise and purgatory.

The natural settings played a crucial role in setting the tone of the series. The claustrophobic mangroves hinted at hidden dangers, while the sprawling beaches spoke of endless possibilities. Each location was chosen to reflect the dual nature of Florida as both a dream and a nightmare.

The choices enhanced the visual appeal of the series and helped in structuring the intricate plot of greed, mystery and humor, which are synonymous with Hiaasen’s works.

Shooting in actual locations provided an edge to the plot, with the unpredictable Florida weather playing into the plot's chaotic, comedic elements.

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What is Bad Monkey about?

Bad-Monkey (Image via AppleTV+)

Bad Monkey throws you into the chaotic life of Andrew Yancy, played by Vince Vaughn, a former detective now relegated to the less glamorous job of a health inspector in sunny Florida.

His life takes a wild turn when a tourist finds a severed arm pulling Yancy back into a world he thought he had left behind. The series runs in the lush and untamed settings of the Florida Keys and Miami, places that are as full of beauty as they are of corruption.

As Yancy digs deeper, he encounters a mix of quirky characters, each with their own secrets. They include a voodoo-practicing woman in the Bahamas to a corrupt real estate developer, whose neighbor Yancy finds himself entangled in a web of greed and deceit that stretches across the sunny landscapes.

Bad Monkey is about the people and peculiarities of Florida life, where every character brings their arc to the story, and the setting itself plays a crucial role in shaping the events.

Alongside Vince Vaughn, Michelle Monaghan stars as Bonnie Witt, a woman with a mysterious past, while Jodie Turner-Smith engages as the enigmatic Dragon Queen.

Rob Delaney and Meredith Hagner bring depth with their portrayals of supporting characters. The show also features standout performances from Natalie Martinez, Ronald Peet and L. Scott Caldwell.

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You can stream all four episodes of Bad Monkey on AppleTV+.