Where Was “Irreverent” Filmed?

The hit Netflix comedy “Irreverent”, with its charming portrayal of a Chicago criminal hiding out as a reverend down under, left a big impression on audiences in Australia and beyond. When watching the show, it’s difficult not to get drawn in and ask yourself the question: where was “Irreverent” filmed?

In this article, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to explore the filming locations that were the backdrop for “Irreverent”. From the bustling streets of Chicago, where Paulo’s story begins, to the tranquil charm of “Clump,” the Australian town that becomes a haven for our elusive protagonist, we delve into the behind-the-scenes magic that made this crime comedy an unforgettable and heartwarming experience. We’ll also explore what makes Peerspace your best bet for discovering and hiring unique creative spaces for your own film shoot or event.

Is Clump in “Irreverent” a real town?

After a mishap in the first episode of the 10-part series, Paulo, a criminal mediator from Chicago, must flee his home and find a new place to hide out. To get as far away as possible, he ends up in the small community of Clump, on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The town is far away from the rest of civilization, even lacking internet when Paolo first arrives. Despite the lacking amenities, the town holds a special charm to viewers. In fact, it’s sure to make them ask: where was “Irreverent” filmed?

Hoping to pack up and leave your home like Paulo? Then you’ll have to settle for one of the many other beautiful towns in Australia. Clump was an idea the creator of the series, Paddy Macrae, cooked up. There is, however, a place called Clump Mountain National Park, in North Queensland. The park is one of the last examples of undisturbed tropical rainforests. Nowadays, its country setting is a popular camping destination.

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Where is the real Clump from “Irreverent”?

Just because Clump isn’t a real town you can visit, that doesn’t mean you can’t see some of the beautiful and idyllic filming locations from “Irreverent”. According to Ausfilm, many of the Clump set scenes were shot in North Queensland.

They quote the creator and executive producer of the series, Paddy Macrae, who divulged the reasoning behind shooting in the area. “Queensland has it all. Majestic locations, extraordinary crew, talent on screen and off, world-class facilities, and film-friendly councils. It’s rare to combine all of those factors, and shooting an ambitious project like Irreverent in Queensland was only possible because of the ability to bring them all together in one state.”

Despite the beautiful nature of North Queensland, shooting “Irreverent” wasn’t a total vacation for the cast and crew. Throughout the course of the 106-day shoot, the production had to deal with pandemic restrictions, flooding, heat waves, and more. Thankfully, that wasn’t enough to stop them, and fans were able to see the nicer side of North Queensland.

Notable “Irreverent” filming locations in North Queensland

Now we know the general area that ultimately made up the town of Clump. Next, we can dive a little deeper into the question: where was “Irreverent” filmed? According to The Cinemaholic, the production settled in the Cassowary Coast Region, a government area in Australia’s third most populous state. Specifically, the towns of Mission Beach, Tully, Silkwood, and El Arish, were all featured for exterior shots throughout the series.

As for the interiors, like most movies and television shows, these were shot on sets built on a sound stage. Specifically, IMDB reports that they shot interiors at Village Roadshow Studios in Oxenford. Also shot at the Village Roadshow Studios were hit movies such as “Elvis” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”, as well as television shows like “The Wilds”.

Mission Beach, the primary shooting location for many of the exterior shots of Clump in the show, was featured quite prominently. An article on realestate.com.au states that they did most of the filming near 86-98 Porter Promenade, and Ulysses Tract, a beachfront in the town. Since the series aired, there has been an increased interest in the area, with fans and viewers of the show eager to check out the real-life version of Clump.

The same article from realestate.com.au quotes Susie England, a real estate agent in Mission Beach, who had this to say about the show’s impact: “Seriously the interest about the show has been tremendous for us, and we’re definitely getting feedback from people, even though it only started a week ago. We love it’s got classic FNQ characters who are only slightly exaggerated!”

Was “Irreverent” actually filmed in Chicago?

The protagonist of the series, Paulo, starts his journey in Chicago, Illinois. Since the rest of the show was filmed in Australia, it’s natural to see the scenes that are set in Chicago and ask yourself: where was “Irreverent” filmed?

According to Distractify, these scenes were all filmed on location in the famous Windy City. Specifically, on North Wells Street in the Chicago Loop. The city has famously been featured in many shows and movies. Most recently, viewers who want to see more of the city on screen can catch it in “The Bear”.

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Find an “Irreverent”-inspired filming location

Finished watching “Irreverent” and the experience left you wanting to create your own Australian fish out of water story? Then you may be wondering where to even start. Finding authentic filming locations that capture the small-town vibe of Clump may feel unachievable, but if you keep reading, we have a unique and helpful solution!

With the help of Peerspace, the world’s largest platform for hourly venue rentals and production locations, you can gain access to thousands of filming locations along Australia’s Gold Coast and beyond.

For example, take a look at this riverfront farmhouse on 57 acres of private flat land on Oxley Island. This cozy spot is available for productions and perfectly encapsulates that “far away from civilization” aesthetic like in “Irreverent”. So, what are you waiting for? Start searching on Peerspace today and get to creating your spiritual successor to this Aussie favorite!

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