Indiana is more than basketball and small-town charm. The Hoosier State has become a favorite setting for television, with some shows filming here on location and others using Indiana as a fictional backdrop.
This guide highlights the TV shows that showcase Indiana, whether they filmed in real neighborhoods or imagined life in towns like Hawkins and Pawnee.
Part 1: Rolling Cameras in the Hoosier State – TV Shows & Specials Filmed in Indiana
These productions chose Indiana's unique architecture, neighborhoods, and local flavor as their authentic filming locations.
Good Bones (HGTV, 2016–Present)
Indiana Setting: Indianapolis, IN
The Connection: This massively popular reality show is undeniably Hoosier to its core! Mother-daughter duo Karen Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk transform dilapidated homes, specifically within various Indianapolis neighborhoods like Fountain Square and Bates-Hendricks. Every episode is a love letter to the city's community.
Why It's a Hit: Showcases real Indiana homes and the challenges and triumphs of urban revitalization.
Mike Epps: Indiana Mike (Netflix, 2022)
Indiana Setting: Indianapolis, IN
The Connection: Indianapolis native Mike Epps brought his stand-up comedy special home, filming at the historic Madam Walker Theatre in downtown Indianapolis. It's a genuine, hour-long shout-out to his roots.
Why It's a Hit: Authentic local humor from a major Indiana-born celebrity.
Girls Incarcerated (Netflix, 2018)
Indiana Setting: Madison and La Porte, IN
The Connection: The second season of this docuseries provided an unvarnished look into the lives of young women at a juvenile correctional facility in La Porte, Indiana, after the closure of the Madison facility.
Why It's a Hit: Offers a rare, authentic glimpse into a specific Indiana institution.
Say I Do (Netflix, 2020)
Indiana Setting: Indianapolis, IN
The Connection: This reality wedding series, where a team of experts plans surprise weddings, filmed a majority of its first season in the Indianapolis area.
Why It's a Hit: High-emotion reality TV showcasing recognizable Indy locations.
Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009–2015) – Partial Filming
Indiana Setting: Fictional Pawnee, IN (but visited Indianapolis)
The Connection: While the show was mostly filmed in California, the cast and crew did film a few memorable episodes and establishing shots on location in Indianapolis, including a famous scene at St. Elmo Steak House and a visit to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Why It's a Hit: A beloved sitcom with occasional real-world Hoosier nods.
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Part 2: Welcome to Fictional Indiana – TV Shows Set in Indiana (But Filmed Elsewhere)
These series and sitcoms have immortalized Indiana as a setting, proving its universal appeal for storytelling, even if the actual production took place on a sound stage thousands of miles away.
Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016–Present)
Indiana Setting: Fictional Hawkins, IN
Filming Location: Primarily Georgia (Atlanta, Jackson, etc.)
The Connection: The show’s global phenomenon is rooted in the small, unassuming town of Hawkins, where the contrast between everyday 1980s Midwestern life and supernatural terror from the Upside Down is stark.
Why It's a Hit: Used Indiana’s image as "Anytown, USA" for maximum dramatic effect.
Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009–2015)
Indiana Setting: Fictional Pawnee, IN
Filming Location: Largely California (Pasadena City Hall was the exterior of Pawnee City Hall)
The Connection: The series is a loving parody of small-town Indiana bureaucracy and community spirit, giving life to one of TV's most famous (and fictional) towns.
Why It's a Hit: Quintessential depiction of small-town American politics and quirky characters.
The Middle (ABC, 2009–2018)
Indiana Setting: Fictional Orson, IN
Filming Location: California (Warner Bros. Studio)
The Connection: This long-running sitcom follows the struggles of the working-class Heck family. Orson is reportedly based on the creator's real-life Indiana hometown of Jasper.
Why It's a Hit: A highly relatable, grounded portrayal of a "middle American" family life.
The Upshaws (Netflix, 2021–Present)
Indiana Setting: The Near Westside of Indianapolis, IN
Filming Location: Los Angeles, California
The Connection: Starring Indianapolis native Mike Epps, this comedy centers on a working-class Black family in the city, offering a fresh, modern perspective on life in Indy.
Why It's a Hit: Brings a specific, real-world Indianapolis neighborhood to a global streaming audience.
The Ms. Pat Show (BET+, 2021–Present)
Indiana Setting: Plainfield, IN
Filming Location: Atlanta, Georgia
The Connection: The sitcom focuses on a former convicted felon who moves her family from Atlanta to the quiet, suburban world of Plainfield, Indiana, using the resulting culture clash for its humor.
Why It's a Hit: A modern comedy rooted in the fish-out-of-water scenario of moving to an Indiana suburb.
One Day at a Time (CBS, 1975–1984)
Indiana Setting: Indianapolis, IN
Filming Location: Los Angeles, California
The Connection: A classic and influential sitcom from producer Norman Lear, it was set in Indianapolis, focusing on a divorced mother raising two daughters.
Why It's a Hit: An iconic piece of TV history using Indianapolis as a modern, urban setting.
Eerie, Indiana (NBC, 1991–1992)
Indiana Setting: Fictional Eerie, IN
Filming Location: California
The Connection: This cult-favorite series follows Marshall Teller, who discovers his seemingly average town is actually the "center of weirdness for the universe," complete with Elvis sightings and strange suburban rituals.
Why It's a Hit: Used Indiana’s image as a quiet state to amplify its bizarre, paranormal plotlines.
The Hoosier State: A Small Screen Star!
Whether they genuinely filmed on location or simply borrowed the name of one of its cities, these TV series and specials have made Indiana an unmistakable character in modern pop culture.
If you love seeing Indiana on screen, check out these related features next:
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