Whether you’re finally catching up with the masses or binge-watching an old favourite, we know that some movies and TV show setting can inspire endless wanderlust.
Go on a lockdown TV trip to some of these island beaches, gorgeous cities or rugged outdoor landscapes.
These are our picks for popular TV series, old and new, that inspire a sense of place:
1. Dark, Germany
While it’s certainly a bit eerie, this drama about children who go missing in a German town is filled with beautiful imagery of the dense forestscape. It’s atmospheric and the small-town setting has its own unique charm.
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2. Outlander, Scotland
This historical TV series, based on Diana Gabaldon’s popular books, was actually filmed all around the world in locations like Prague and even right at home here in Cape Town. Outlander is synonymous, however, with Scotland. The series not only satisfies the eyes with scenes of the Scottish highlands, the requisite castles and green and inviting forests, but is also a journey through time.
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3. Top Gear’s The Grand Tour, all over
When the personalities of this popular British car programme take their show on the road, we get to take in more of the world too. Throughout the seasons they’ve travelled to Mongolia, Morocco, Northern Italy, Croatia, Colombia, across Lapland and even to SA, visiting Johannesburg.
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4. Ozark, USA
This crime drama is about a family who leaves Chicago to lie low in a summer holiday town in Missouri. The Ozark Mountains, or Ozarks, cross multiple states in the USA’s Midwest. Many scenes from the show depict the characters set against a backdrop of a marina and surrounded by beautiful mountain forest foliage.
5. Ragnarok, Norway
This supernatural series inspired by Norse mythology has captivating outdoor scenery. The Norwegian landscape is really championed in this show, and many of the characters are seen enjoying the outdoors, from hikes to ill-fated paragliding incidents up in the mountains.
6. Game of Thrones, all over
This fantastical series requires little introduction, and has already launched many a ‘TV-tourism’ adventure across the world to the iconic locations where it’s been filmed. Some of the countries Khaleesi and Jon Snow have graced include Croatia, Spain, Morocco, Iceland and Malta.
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7. Broadchurch, England
Dorset in southwest England is the setting for the popular UK crime drama, Broadchurch. The iconic landmark of this series is without a doubt the magnificent cliffs of West Bay, which forms part of the dramatic Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site stretching 150 kilometres from Dorset to Devon.
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8. Hawaii Five-O, US islands
This cop drama, while set in Hawaiian capital Honolulu, takes viewers around the island of O’ahu. You’d be forgiven for wanting to plan an island getaway or hit the waves for a surf in the middle of a murder investigation.
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9. Killing Eve, Europe
In this spy ‘dramedy’, you’ll travel all over Europe, from London to Paris and Barcelona to Bucharest. Your wanderlust will be in overdrive and you’ll be dreaming of international espionage, if only to travel to all these exciting places.
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