Charleston, South Carolina, is not only known for its rich history and beautiful scenery but has also become a major hotspot for TV shows and movies in recent years. Popular productions like The Notebook, The Patriot, and hit TV shows such as Army Wives, The Righteous Gemstones, and Outer Banks have used the city as the backdrop for some of their most iconic scenes. Now, the city is also making waves in the reality TV world, with Southern Charm and Southern Hospitality capturing the charm of Charleston, and casting underway for Netflix’s Love Is Blind.
Outer Banks Season 5 Draws Fans to Charleston
Currently, Outer Banks is filming its highly anticipated Season 5, attracting fans from across the country. Many visitors are eager to see the spots they’ve watched on screen in person, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite characters and iconic filming locations.
“We’re trying to find Outer Banks because we love the show and Rafe Cameron’s the best,” said Gabby Telles, a visitor from California. Her friend, Stella Rhodes, echoed the excitement, saying, “We’ve come to Charleston to find the scenes. It’s just really cool to see where they filmed and we can find the same spots.”
Economic Impact of Film and Tourism in Charleston
According to Dan Blumenstock, Chairman of Explore Charleston, the film industry adds significant economic impact to the city, showcasing the destination in a unique way. “These shows help promote a new brand of tourism in the Lowcountry, attracting those who enjoy our history, architecture, and culinary scenes,” said Blumenstock, who is also the Vice President for Lowcountry Hotels.
The presence of filming productions like Outer Banks has brought a fresh set of visitors, eager to explore Charleston from a new perspective. The city’s tourism is not just about history and food anymore—it’s also about the TV shows and films that have become synonymous with the Lowcountry.
TV Tours and Fans Following the Action
Charleston has also seen a rise in themed tours centered around the filming locations of these productions. According to Amy Southerland, Director of Livability and Tourism at the City of Charleston, tourists are increasingly traveling to the city specifically to visit locations tied to their favorite shows. “We see people traveling to go to that location for a particular scene, whether that’s a home, a street, or a church,” Southerland said.
The filming of new seasons for shows like Outer Banks has intensified the demand for these tours, as more fans seek to connect with the places they’ve seen on TV. For example, fans are not only visiting these filming locations but also hoping for a chance encounter with the stars. “We did hear from someone at our hotel that Drew Starkey was staying at our hotel last week,” said Telles. “The guy that was checking us in said that Drew Starkey stays at our hotel pretty often and likes it a lot. So, we’re hoping he shows up,” added Madison Seaberg, another visitor.
Opportunities for Extras in Outer Banks and Casting for Love Is Blind
As Charleston continues to draw attention from TV productions, Kinetic Content is casting singles for Love Is Blind in the city, with opportunities for locals to take part in the show. Additionally, there are still chances for fans to be extras on Outer Banks, offering a unique opportunity to be a part of the action.
Charleston’s unique blend of history, architecture, and cinematic appeal is attracting an increasing number of tourists—especially those eager to see the filming locations of their favorite shows and meet the stars behind the scenes. As the city continues to play host to major TV and movie productions, it’s clear that Charleston is becoming a key destination not only for history lovers but for fans of entertainment, too.
