Hallelujah! Rachel Bilson is back on TV! Not only that, but the filming locations for her new show “Hart of Dixie” will be pretty easy to visit, since they’re mainstays on a major Hollywood backlot. Isn’t there so much to be happy about?
Much of the pilot episode of “Hart of Dixie” was filmed in the lovely Wilmington, North Carolina, which you may have recognized from CW staples “Dawson’s Creek” and “One Tree Hill”. But since then, they’ve brought filming back to Los Angeles and have recreated the fictional town of Bluebell, Alabama on the Warner Brothers lot.
The Rammer Jammer from "Hart of Dixie" is the same exterior as Merlotte's from "True Blood", and can be found at Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank, CA. Screen cap credit: capturedgracemusic.net.
In episode 102, “Parades and Pariahs”, the mayor takes Bilson’s character Zoe Hart to a restaurant called Rammer Jammer. If you’re a fan of the HBO series “True Blood”, you probably recognized the exterior of Rammer Jammer as the same that stands in for Merlotte’s. That’s because this exterior is on the Warner Brothers backlot, which both shows use for filming (”True Blood” occasionally, “Hart of Dixie” primarily). This is what the all-purpose restaurant looks like when not dressed up for either show:
Right nearby, in the “jungle” area of the WB backlot, is a little shack that it appears they’re using as Wade’s cabin. It was used as a cafe in Million Dollar Baby and has been seen on “Pretty Little Liars” and “The Mentalist” as well.
Here it is as photographed it on the WB tour:
Wade's cabin from "Hart of Dixie". Photo credit: Christina LeBlanc for LiveTheMovies.com.
And here it is, after it’s dressed and decorated for the show:
Wade's cabin, dressed for the show. Screen cap credit: capturedgracemusic.net.
Of course, if you’re a fan of “Pretty Little Liars” or “Gilmore Girls”, you probably recognized the town square setting from the parade scenes (episode 102) in “Hart of Dixie” — that’s because it’s all the same town square! That’s right: Stars Hollow, Rosewood, and Bluebell are all the same! (Just with some different set dressings.)
The church was seen on "Pretty Little Liars", and the gazebo was used on "Gilmore Girls". Now both are also part of Bluebell, Alabama on "Hart of Dixie". Screen cap credit: capturedgracemusic.net.
And again, these can both be seen on the WB Studio Tour in Burbank, CA (which I very highly recommend):
Photo credit: Christina LeBlanc for LiveTheMovies.com.
More to come on the sights from “Hart of Dixie” as the season unfolds!
- Story and photos by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor
You know I watch all those shows, and I did not even notice they were the same buildings or locations.
That’s so funny. The lighting really makes a difference. It’s so yellow and sunny in Hart of Dixie and dark and creepy in Pretty Little Liars and True Blood, you don’t even recognize them.
I’d like to see more comparisons!
I’m really interested to see the life in the US country and I enjoy watching the series with all the characters in it. It’s just that the hair-light in the is kind of too strong, whether indoors or outdoors.
I am a fan of Hart of Dixie, and I hope that the show will last for many, many years. I rather watch this show than Two and a Half men because it is not interesting any more.
I knew it!!! Thank you for this I was swearing up and down that the Rammer Jammer was the same set/outdoor images of Merlott’s since I started watching Hart of Dixie. Glad I was right
It was bugging me to bits!!! Ghost whisperer is also another show that has been filmed in the square.. Good to know they recycle lol