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| Where Was I Will Find You Filmed? Every Major Shooting Location Behind Netflix's 2026 Thriller Series. (Credits: Netflix) |
Netflix's I Will Find You keeps viewers busy trying to solve a mystery, but many fans have found themselves distracted by something else entirely: the locations. From imposing prison walls and leafy university campuses to bustling city streets and quiet lakeside retreats, the series transforms parts of Canada and New York into a tense backdrop for David Burroughs' desperate search for the truth. While some production details were deliberately kept under wraps during filming to avoid disruptions, enough information has emerged to reveal an impressive collection of real-world locations featured throughout the thriller.
Based on Harlan Coben's bestselling novel, the series follows David Burroughs, played by Sam Worthington, a father serving a life sentence for the alleged killing of his son. When evidence emerges suggesting the child may still be alive, David launches a dangerous mission that takes him from prison cells to crowded city streets.
The production needed locations capable of matching that emotional and physical journey, and the result is a globe-trotting visual experience that feels far bigger than its filming footprint.
The heart of production was located across Ontario, Canada, where filmmakers found everything from historic architecture to modern urban landscapes. Additional scenes were shot in New York City, helping the series achieve the scale and authenticity expected from a major Netflix thriller.
University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario
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One of the most recognisable filming hubs was the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. Several important scenes were filmed throughout classrooms, hallways, libraries and outdoor spaces.
The modern academic environment offered a flexible setting for numerous story moments, proving once again that universities in film and television are rarely occupied by students and are instead constantly solving fictional mysteries.
The sprawling campus also gave the production a polished metropolitan look while maintaining enough versatility to represent multiple locations within the narrative. Visitors familiar with the university may recognise several corners featured throughout the series.
Edwards Gardens, Toronto, Ontario
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The production also spent time at Edwards Gardens in North York. Known for its manicured landscapes, walking paths and seasonal flowers, the location adds visual contrast to the darker elements of the story.
Scenes filmed here provide moments of reflection amid the tension. The gardens bring a sense of calm that feels almost suspicious in a thriller where nobody seems able to enjoy a peaceful stroll without uncovering another secret.
Casa Loma, Toronto, Ontario
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Another striking location used during production was Casa Loma, Toronto's famous Gothic Revival castle. Its dramatic architecture and historic interiors fit perfectly with the show's atmosphere of hidden truths and long-buried mysteries.
The landmark's grand staircases and elaborate design help create a sense of scale, reminding viewers that secrets often look much more impressive when concealed inside a castle-sized building.
Hamilton, Ontario
The city of Hamilton played a major role in helping recreate parts of Boston. Production crews were spotted filming around residential streets, including areas near Delaware Avenue and Burris Street. Detailed set dressing, including American vehicles and local signage, helped complete the illusion.
Hamilton has quietly become one of North America's busiest filming destinations, and once again it proves capable of transforming itself into almost anywhere. At this point, Hamilton may have portrayed half the continent without anyone noticing.
Millbrook, Ontario
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The charming village of Millbrook contributes several scenes to the series. Known for its small-town atmosphere and historic streets, it offers a completely different visual identity from Toronto's urban landscape.
Its quieter surroundings help establish emotional moments within the story while adding authenticity to sequences that require a more intimate setting. The village's timeless appearance makes it particularly attractive for productions seeking a classic North American backdrop.
Southern Ontario Rural Areas
Several scenes were also captured throughout the rural regions of Southern Ontario. Open roads, farmland, forests and isolated properties create an atmosphere that perfectly suits a story driven by mystery and uncertainty.
These locations become characters in their own right. Vast landscapes and empty roads generate a feeling that answers may be hidden just beyond the horizon, although television characters inevitably choose the longest route possible to find them.
Muskoka, Ontario
For some of the series' most visually appealing sequences, production travelled to Muskoka, a region famous for lakes, forests and holiday retreats. The natural beauty serves as a stark contrast to the paranoia and danger experienced by many of the characters.
Muskoka's tranquil scenery creates moments where viewers can briefly relax before the next plot twist arrives to ruin everyone's day again.
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
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The production also utilised sections of Algonquin Provincial Park, bringing expansive wilderness landscapes into the series. Dense forests, winding trails and pristine lakes contribute to the thriller's feeling of isolation and uncertainty.
The park's cinematic scenery has attracted filmmakers for years, and its inclusion here helps reinforce the sense that David's search extends far beyond city limits.
Kingston Penitentiary, Kingston, Ontario
Perhaps the most significant location in the series is Kingston Penitentiary, where many prison scenes were filmed. The former maximum-security institution provides exactly the type of imposing environment required for David Burroughs' incarceration.
Its stone walls, historic corridors and unmistakable atmosphere add authenticity that would be difficult to replicate on a soundstage. The prison's real-life history only strengthens the tension surrounding David's struggle to reclaim his freedom.
The Sherwood Restaurant and Catering, Brantford, Ontario
The production also visited The Sherwood Restaurant and Catering in Brantford. While not the largest location in the series, it provides an authentic local setting that helps ground the story.
Restaurants often become key meeting points in thrillers, largely because dramatic revelations somehow always arrive just before the food does.
Downtown Brantford, Ontario
Additional scenes were captured across Downtown Brantford, where historic buildings and urban streets helped expand the show's visual range. The area blends older architecture with contemporary city life, making it useful for multiple story settings.
Its distinctive appearance helps create a believable world beyond the major metropolitan centres featured elsewhere in the series.
Central Park, New York City
When the production moved to New York, Central Park became one of its most recognisable locations. The iconic green space offers instant visual identity and reminds audiences exactly where the story has arrived.
Whether characters are running from danger or chasing clues, Central Park remains one of television's favourite places for dramatic conversations that would probably be much easier over a phone call.
Washington Square Park, New York City
Another notable location is Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. The famous arch, open plaza and lively atmosphere provide a distinctly New York flavour.
The park's energy helps contrast with the more isolated environments found elsewhere in the series, reinforcing the scale of David's journey.
Times Square, New York City
The production also headed to Times Square, where bright screens, heavy crowds and constant movement create one of the series' most visually striking backdrops.
A thriller unfolding amid one of the world's busiest tourist destinations naturally raises the stakes. If somebody can disappear in Times Square, they can disappear almost anywhere.
Midtown Manhattan Rooftops
Several high-intensity sequences were filmed across rooftop locations in Midtown Manhattan. These elevated settings host some of the show's most dramatic moments, adding excitement and cinematic scale.
The skyline views are spectacular, although anyone watching from ground level probably wondered why television characters insist on conducting important business several storeys above common sense.
Fan reaction to the filming locations has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, though opinions vary regarding which setting steals the show. Some viewers have praised Kingston Penitentiary for adding authenticity to David's story, while others have fallen in love with Muskoka's stunning landscapes.
Social media discussions have also highlighted Times Square, Central Park, and the university campus, with many fans already adding them to future travel plans. A few viewers joked that they became so busy identifying locations they nearly forgot to solve the mystery itself.
The combination of Ontario's diverse scenery and New York City's iconic landmarks gives I Will Find You a visual identity every bit as compelling as its central mystery. Whether you're drawn to historic prisons, peaceful lakes, vibrant city streets or famous parks, the series offers plenty of destinations worth exploring. Which filming location would be your first stop, and did you spot any others while watching the show?