The Shards is a psychological thriller, coming-of-age, mystery, and drama series created by Ryan Murphy, based on the bestselling novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Directed by Max Winkler, the series stars Igby Rigney, Homer Gere, Graham Campbell, Kaia Gerber, and Hayes Warner, alongside Wes Bentley and Evan Rachel Wood.
Set in Los Angeles during the early 1980s, the series follows a privileged group of high school students whose lives spiral into fear after a serial killer begins targeting people across the city. Here’s everything you need to know about The Shards filming locations, filming dates, and behind-the-scenes details.
Set in Los Angeles in 1981, The Shards follows teenager Bret Easton Ellis, whose senior year at an elite prep school changes forever after the arrival of mysterious new student Robert Mallory. As a serial killer known as “The Trawler” terrorizes the city, Bret becomes convinced Robert is hiding a dark secret. The story blends suspense, friendship, romance, and psychological mystery.
The Shards premiered on August 5, 2026, in the United States. The series premiered on FX and Hulu in the United States and streams internationally on Disney+.
When and Where Was FX’s The Shards Filmed?
| Film Name | The Shards |
|---|---|
| Genres | Psychological Thriller, Coming-of-Age, Mystery, Drama |
| Filming Locations | Westwood Village, Occidental College, Los Angeles, Pacific Coast Highway, Azria Estate (Maison du Soleil) |
| Filming Dates | November 2025 – March 2026 |
| Cinematography by | Tim Ives |
| Release Date | August 5, 2026 |
Principal photography for The Shards reportedly took place between November 2025 and March 2026. The production remained entirely in Los Angeles, California, using real neighborhoods, historic buildings, luxury estates, and famous coastal roads to recreate the city’s stylish yet unsettling atmosphere of the early 1980s. Ryan Murphy’s team carefully selected authentic Southern California locations that required very little digital alteration, giving the series a realistic period look.
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📍Westwood Village, Westwood, Los Angeles, California
Westwood Village served as one of the primary filming locations for The Shards. Located next to UCLA, this historic neighborhood features beautiful Spanish Revival architecture, classic movie theaters, and wide tree-lined streets that perfectly recreate upscale Los Angeles during the early 1980s. Many exterior street scenes featuring Bret and his classmates were filmed here. Because much of the district still retains its vintage appearance, the production needed only minimal changes to transform it into the world of the novel.
📍Occidental College – 1600 Campus Road, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles
Several important school scenes were filmed at Occidental College in Eagle Rock. The college doubled as Buckley Prep School, where much of the story takes place. Its Mediterranean Revival buildings, elegant courtyards, and landscaped campus closely matched the exclusive private-school setting described in Bret Easton Ellis’s novel. The location provides the backdrop for classroom sequences, student gatherings, and several tense moments between Bret and Robert Mallory.
📍The Azria Estate (Maison du Soleil), Holmby Hills, Los Angeles
One of the series’ most luxurious filming locations is the famous Azria Estate, also known as Maison du Soleil, located at 10250 W. Sunset Boulevard in Holmby Hills.
The lavish mansion appears during an extravagant nighttime pool party sequence. Originally designed in 1939 by legendary architect Paul R. Williams, the estate spans nearly 30,000 square feet and is considered one of Los Angeles’ most impressive private homes. Its grand columns, elegant gardens, and glamorous Hollywood style perfectly capture the wealth and excess of the characters’ world.
📍Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles County, California
The production also filmed several scenes along California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). During filming in January 2026, cast members Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere were photographed shooting scenes on the scenic coastal highway.
The breathtaking ocean views and winding roads add both beauty and tension to the story, making the Pacific Coast Highway one of the most visually striking locations featured in the series.
📍Los Angeles, California
Beyond its major filming sites, numerous scenes were shot throughout Los Angeles to recreate the city’s glamorous yet mysterious atmosphere of 1981. Various residential streets, upscale neighborhoods, and urban locations helped build the world surrounding Bret Easton Ellis and his classmates. Since the story itself is deeply rooted in Los Angeles, filming in the real city added authenticity to every episode.
The Shards Behind the Scenes
To make your search for The Shards filming locations even more enjoyable, several behind-the-scenes photos were released during production.
Production began in November 2025, with filming continuing across Los Angeles until March 2026. Ryan Murphy worked closely with director Max Winkler to recreate the look of 1981 using practical sets, authentic architecture, classic cars, vintage costumes, and carefully selected filming locations instead of relying heavily on CGI.
During production, fans spotted Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere filming scenes along the Pacific Coast Highway, while other cast members were photographed working around Westwood Village and Occidental College.
The cast and crew also shared occasional behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram during filming.
More filming information may become available as additional episodes are released.
Is There Any Trailer Available for The Shards?
Yes. The official trailer for The Shards was released on the FX Networks YouTube channel.
You can watch it here:
The Shards was released on August 5, 2026, via FX, Hulu, and Disney+.
FAQs
Q1: Where was The Shards filmed?
A1: The Shards was filmed entirely in Los Angeles, California, including Westwood Village, Occidental College, the Pacific Coast Highway, Holmby Hills, and other locations across the city.
Q2: What scenes were filmed at Occidental College in The Shards?
A2: Occidental College doubled as Buckley Prep School in The Shards, where many classroom scenes, student interactions, and important moments between Bret Easton Ellis and Robert Mallory were filmed.
Q3: When did filming for The Shards begin?
A3: Filming for The Shards reportedly began in November 2025 and wrapped around March 2026.
Q4: Can I visit the filming locations of The Shards?
A4: Yes. Many filming locations featured in The Shards, including Westwood Village, Occidental College (visitor access may vary), and sections of the Pacific Coast Highway, can be visited by the public. The Azria Estate is a private residence and cannot normally be toured.
The Shards brings Bret Easton Ellis’s acclaimed novel to life by filming entirely in Los Angeles, California, where the story is set. From the historic streets of Westwood Village to the elegant campus of Occidental College, the luxurious Azria Estate, and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, each location helps recreate the glamorous yet unsettling atmosphere of early-1980s Los Angeles. These authentic filming locations play a major role in making Ryan Murphy’s psychological thriller feel both stylish and believable. If more filming locations or behind-the-scenes details are revealed, they can be added as the series continues.
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