Survival of the Thickest filming locations: Where was the comedy drama filmed?

Netflix's Survival of the Thickest vividly brings to life the streets of New York City in its depiction of Mavis Beaumont, a plus-size, recently single fashion stylist living her professional and personal life in every sense.

Having successfully transitioned off the pages of Michelle Buteau's book, this comedy-drama series fully commits itself to the high-energy and diversified setting of New York and utilizes the city's famous hotspots as a backdrop for Mavis's journey.

Filming for the inaugural season began towards the end of September 2022 and concluded at the start of December 2022. Season 2 led the cameras away from June 2024 until August 2024. Each of the destinations, ranging from Manhattan avenues to cultural Brooklyn, was handpicked to lend authenticity.

Let's stroll through the show's notable locations, shall we?

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Where is Survival of the Thickest filmed?

1) New York City

Not unexpectedly, Survival of the Thickest is filmed in the center of New York City, capitalizing fully on the city's energetic and personality-packed streets and landmarks. The producers of the show have made an extra effort to make certain that the city is not merely a background but an integral part of the show itself.

The crew and cast members were seen filming in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Another location featured is the corner of Madison Avenue and East 56th Street, which gave a dash of the Midtown Manhattan atmosphere.

The series also features breathtaking aerial shots of the city's famous skyline. You'll witness the grand Empire State Building, the sleek One World Trade Center, the old Brooklyn Bridge, and the green haven of Central Park.

Michelle Buteau, creator of Survival of the Thickest, explained that the city itself was a source of inspiration for the stories of the characters.

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2) Harlem’s 125th Street

One of the earliest images in the trailer for the show is the colorful 125th Street in Harlem, aka Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

It is a culturally and historically significant street, once a center of African American culture, art, and activism. Placing it at this early point sets Mavis's story in a location that has been a locus of strength and inspiration for centuries.

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3) Raw Bar

One of the important locations seen in the trailer is a Raw Bar, but identifying its location has been difficult. With several seafood bars located all over New York, fans believe the one in the series is located in the Lower East Side.

If true, this location would fall in line with the show's ability to embrace the true NYC lifestyle, as the Lower East Side is renowned for its hip restaurants and bars.

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Minor locations on Survival of the Thickest

Outside these primary shooting locations, Survival of the Thickest weaves in numerous iconic NYC landmarks into its visual score.

Audiences will see nods to:

1. Times Square – The always-hustling hub of Manhattan's entertainment hub
2. Washington Square Park – Artists' and activists' go-to hangout
3. The Stonewall Inn – A legendary LGBTQ+ landmark
4. Rockefeller Center – A classic for any New York-set production

Also, Survival of the Thickest is aided by its association with A24, a production house heavily embedded in the New York film community.

With credits such as Hereditary, Midsommar, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, A24's experience in documenting NYC's energy is apparent.

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Survival of the Thickest is available on Netflix.