Where Was “Dopesick” Filmed?

Intrigued by the miniseries and now wondering: where was “Dopesick” filmed? Considering how important the show’s various settings are to its overall arc, you’re no doubt curious about its filming locations.

We’ll answer the lead question in detail, and we’ll also provide you with some filming locations near those from “Dopesick” that you can rent by the hour for yourself through Peerspace. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace of its kind for filming locations, event venues, and other unique spaces.

What is “Dopesick”?

“Dopesick” is a 2021 drama miniseries that portrays the origins of the opioid addiction crisis. It traverses “from the boardrooms of Purdue Pharma, to a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA,” according to IMDB.

The show is based on a non-fiction book by Beth Macy and represents a valiant effort to improve understanding of this serious problem. It also explains how Purdue Pharma developed OxyContin, a dangerously addictive pain medication.

The cast includes major stars like Will Poulter, Rosario Dawson, Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, and Kaitlyn Dever. In combination with great writing, their performances have garnered “Dopesick” tons of critical acclaim as well as numerous awards and nominations. That includes 14 Emmy nominations – see Deadline’s complete list of 2022 Emmy nominations for the specifics.

Now, let’s check out those “Dopesick” filming locations.

A fan of dramas that highlight social injustices? Then check out where they filmed “American Rust” next!

An authentic setting: Richmond, Virginia

If you watched the series’ eight episodes recently and it raised the question, “Where was ‘Dopesick’ filmed?” then we’ve got you covered. To start, they filmed much of the show in Richmond, Virginia.

Decider writes that the production used numerous recognizable filming locations throughout the city including “the Canal Walk, the Fan District, Bookbinder’s Restaurant, the Manchester Bridge, and Boulevard Burger and Brew.”

If you watch closely and are already familiar with Richmond, you may also recognize multiple other locations. For instance, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, also in Richmond, is where they filmed scenes of the Sackler family boardroom. It is by far one of the most important filming locations in the whole series.

Richmond is a historic city with lots of worthwhile destinations to visit whether or not you’ve seen “Dopesick”. But if you have and are curious about the show’s setting, a trip there is particularly worthwhile. You can visit many of the locations that the production team used for filming.

Other filming locations in Virginia

Hoping to answer the question “Where was ‘Dopesick filmed?” in full, we’ll go into even more detail.

In addition to Richmond, “Dopesick” also filmed in other Virginia towns and cities, particularly in the central part of the state: Lexington, Hopewell, Bowling Green, and Clifton Forge.

Is Finch Creek a real town?

No, Finch Creek is a fictional town that’s meant to represent many of the towns, both within Virginia and elsewhere, that were disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis.

According to Decider, the aforementioned town of Clifton Forge “became the fictional town of Finch Creek and took the crew two weeks to film.”

Courtesy of Virginia.org, specific filming locations used in this area included downtown Clifton Forge, the Jackson River, and the Historic Masonic Theatre. 

Why did they pick Virginia for filming?

According to Showbiz CheatSheet, Danny Strong (the creator/executive producer of “Dopesick”) says that they “fell in love with Virginia”. They “chose it for its authenticity and the diversity of locations throughout the state.”

Considering that the Sacklers actually “hand-picked rural coal mining communities in Virginia as the starting point for OxyContin sales and prescriptions,” the setting itself was enormously important. Actually filming in the same region makes the series considerably more authentic. They even hired real-life coal miners to play many of the extras for even greater authenticity.

Where is the Sacklers’ mansion?

Their mansion is also in Virginia. Showbiz CheatSheet shares that the Estate at River Run in Maidens, Goochland County, was the stand-in for their mansion. Why there? This was simply another case where Danny Strong “wanted to keep the story’s roots as accurate as possible, and that included the setting.”

If you’re asking the question “Where was ‘Dopesick filmed?” you may also be wondering if you can visit this location. In fact, you can visit the beautiful Estate at River Run, but only if you’re planning on having your wedding here (or know somebody who is).

For reference, it’s a 22,000-square-foot mansion with “amenities such as luxe overnight lodging, a stunning terrace, a pool house, the Wedgewood Ballroom,” and more. So if you inquire about the rental price, expect to hear a pretty high number!

For a different take on the effect of drugs on society, check out where they filmed “Euphoria,” too

Peerspace filming locations near those from “Dopesick”

There are a number of Peerspaces available for rental in or near Clifton Forge, Virginia. We’ll show you just a few to give you a sense of what this part of Virginia has to offer in terms of hourly rental spaces.

For instance, this vintage manor with a secret garden aesthetic is located in Clifton Forge, the same town that became the fictional Finch Creek in “Dopesick”. It’s called the Oakdale Manor and was built in 1930, with “stylish period elegance boasting beautiful art-deco design”. It measures 6,000 square feet in total with more luxurious features and elegant amenities than we can list here. Plus, it’s only $125 per hour to rent and is perfect for filming and photography.

Also directly in Clifton Forge is this Magic Hour haven, a 1-acre hop yard that’s incredible for outdoor filming, especially at the most picturesque hours of the day. But don’t take our word for it. Be sure to take a look at the photos in the listing for the evidence!

Looking for a beautiful home in which to film or even take photographs? If so, this picturesque 2500-square-foot farmhouse (pictured above). Since it provides sweeping views and is also in Clifton Forge proper, it’s an ideal choice. The hosts call it a “vintage time piece” and mention a “gorgeous wrap around porch, sweeping views, and vast interior decor”. Whether you spend the majority of your time in the lounge space, the vintage kitchen, or outside the home on its beautiful green lawn, your creativity is sure to benefit.

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace