Where was The Penguin shot? Filming locations and more

With all the drama for the new HBO series The Penguin, audiences can't wait to line up and watch it. The gritty underworld of Gotham City is not as captivating as this HBO series, with Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot, otherwise known as the Penguin.

So, what makes this series special for its audience to enjoy? Is it the adventure of power and competition through criminal enterprises amidst Gotham City? Calling Gotham to Life was a production team that used several iconic and lesser-known locations across New York city while also bringing authenticity and immersion as much as possible.

From the bustle of streets in Manhattan to the quieter corners of Queens, The Penguin works its way through numerous filming locations to create their unique visual style.

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New York City filming locations

Most of The Penguin was filmed in New York City, as the city remains the best fit for such filmmaking due to the wealth of architectural diversity and urban landscapes that define it. Principal filming started on 15 March, 2023, under the working title Boss.

A good deal of exterior filming occurred around the city. Work on the interiors and soundstages was done at Silvercup Studios North in Queens.

This studio was noted for cutting-edge facilities and gave the makers more than enough scope for crafting complex sets that would mirror the murky atmosphere of the show.

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Iconic locations featured in The Penguin

Some iconic New York City locations were transformed into Gotham City landmarks for The Penguin. One of the most emblematic is the Riverside Drive in West Harlem, used as an exterior setting for the Iceberg Lounge Club, the Penguin's operational base.

It was one of the chosen spots because of its singular architecture and atmospheric setting, perfectly suited to the taste of the show.

Another iconic location is the villa La Selva in Long Island, used to portray the fantastic mansion of Falcone. This location gave even more authenticity and glory to the episodes where Gotham's infamous crime family is featured.

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Challenges faced during the shooting

Shooting in New York City entailed its unique problems. Production was halted multiple times because of the 2023 Writers Strike that stopped filming at various locations in Westchester County and a church in Harlem. Despite these setbacks, the company resumed production and ensured that the series was completed on time.

The location selected to shoot the series also called for a lot of work on the part of the team to avoid congested inner city roads and coordination with local authorities. It all seemed to work, as the finished product had a seamless mixing of real-life locations and well-constructed sets.

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The Penguin seems to have done a good job in bringing Gotham City to life through the strategic use of New York City's varied locations, among which were Riverside Drive, among many other iconic backgrounds and an old historic villa like La Selva, all these artistically chosen to further enhance the dark and very immersive mood of the show.

Things didn't always go well during filming, but the creative and devoted cast and crew boosted the show. As viewers become integrated into the world of The Penguin, theyfind their way into the fantasy world of Gotham, shot in real and relatable locations.