Located on the Cape Fear River and approximately 20 minutes from North Carolina beaches is the city of Wilmington. The childhood home of basketball great Michael Jordan and the USS North Carolina battleship. Wilmington is sometimes looked at as the Hollywood of the East Coast as it’s home to EUE Screen Gems Studios, the largest TV and movie production facility outside of California.
Two successful teen dramas, Dawson’s Creek and current CW program, One Tree Hill have used Wilmington as the backdrop to the fictional communities of Capeside, MA and Tree Hill, NC.
Dawson’s Creek began in January 1998 and ran for 6 seasons before finishing up in May of 2003. Creek followed the lives of Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams) and Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson) as they make their way through high school (and eventually college).
Several restaurants including Hell’s Kitchen and the Ice House were used for interior filming. Filming also took place at nearby UNC Wilmington for high school and college exterior shots.
In the fall of 2003, The WB (now the CW) began airing One Tree Hill about the lives of Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty) who start off as enemies but eventually bond as friends and brothers. The show is now entering it’s 7th season. Locations filmed include the Cape River, several boutiques, Wilmington Hospital, a music store and local bars.
With a beautiful location, warm climate and friendly people, Wilmington continues to be a wonderful location for television and movies. Films produced there include Cape Fear, Nights In Rodanthe and A Walk To Remember. Maybe the next teen drama will take place in this area.
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Nice article, Jeff! Visitors can also tour Screen Gems Studios on weekends www.screengemsstudios.com and there's the Hollywood Location Walk of Old Wilmington, a wlaking tour of Downtown TV/movie locations: www.hollywoodnc.com.
For free One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek FAQ Sheets, visit www.gocapefearcoast and click on Info For Press, then click on Story Ideas. For a free Visitors Guide to Wilmington & NC's Cape Fear Coast, call 1-866-266-9690 or visit www.gocapefearcoast.com
Sweet! thanks for the info!
WHAaaaaa. You have UNCC up there! WHAAAaaaa. We're going to email bomb you! WHAAaaaa!!!
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