The Carolina coast isn’t just a vacation destination anymore, it’s a full-blown production lot. Here’s everything filming now, who’s hiding on Figure Eight Island, and how you can actually get on set.
There’s a reason they call Wilmington “Hollywood East.” The coast from Southport to Carolina Beach has been doubling as practically everywhere on earth; South Florida, a fictional teen beach town, you name it, for decades. Right now, in 2026, the Carolina coast is arguably busier than ever, with multiple major productions rolling simultaneously and a new one just landing in Southport that has fans absolutely losing their minds.
So grab a cold one from the Yacht Basin Provision Co. and settle in. Here’s what’s happening, what already aired, and, if you’ve ever dreamed of being in a scene, how to make that happen.
Welcome to Hollywood East: Why the Carolina Coast Keeps Winning
North Carolina isn’t just a pretty face. In 2025, film and television production generated an estimated $185.5 million in direct in-state spending, the fourth-highest annual figure since the current NC Film and Entertainment Grant program launched in 2015. Thirty-eight productions filmed across the state, spanning 45 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. That’s not a fluke, that’s a pipeline.
More than 7,000 crew, talent, and background extra jobs were created in a single year. The coast, particularly the Wilmington region, drives a significant chunk of that activity. EUE/Screen Gems Studios anchors the whole ecosystem right there in Wilmington: a 43-acre, full-service production facility offering 10 stages with 150,000 square feet of shooting space, making it the most prominent soundstage east of LA.
🌊 Local’s Take:
Most visitors don’t realize that productions cycle through Wilmington almost year-round. If you’re staying in the area and see big white production trucks on Water Street or at the Riverwalk, there’s a solid chance a major TV series is actively shooting blocks away.
What’s Currently Filming in Wilmington: “RJ Decker”
If you’ve been anywhere near Wilmington or Carolina Beach since late 2025, you’ve probably spotted the production trucks for RJ Decker. This American crime drama, inspired by Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 novel Double Whammy, premiered on ABC on March 3, 2026. It was renewed for a second season in May 2026. That renewal means the crew isn’t going anywhere soon.
The series stars Scott Speedman in the title role. The pilot filmed in Wilmington and Carolina Beach, and production continued in the Port City through early 2026. Filming also took place at Fort Fisher, stretching the production footprint right down to the southern tip of Pleasure Island.
The show is set in “colorful” South Florida, but seasoned locals know the real Cousins Drive, Fort Fisher ferry landing, and Carolina Beach boardwalk when they see them on screen. That’s the beauty of this coast. It plays everywhere.
📺 Quick Facts: RJ Decker
Network: ABC / Hulu | Premiere: March 3, 2026 | Stars: Scott Speedman, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Kevin Rankin | Filming locations: Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Fort Fisher | Status: Renewed for Season 2
🎬 What Most Visitors Don’t Know:
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area isn’t just great for shark tooth hunting, it’s now a confirmed filming location for a network TV series. Keep that in mind the next time you’re down at the ferry terminal and spot equipment cases.
Southport is Back: “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Returns
Southport’s Yacht Basin has seen plenty of camera crews over the decades, but nothing quite generates the buzz of Amazon’s juggernaut teen drama coming back to town. Filming for the The Summer I Turned Pretty movie returned to southeastern North Carolina as of late April 2026, and fans were ready.
Film crews staged equipment in preparation for filming at the Yacht Basin in Southport in late April 2026, with much of the action occurring inside the Yacht Basin Provision Co., the beloved local seafood spot that has quietly become one of the most-filmed restaurant interiors on the East Coast.
Throughout the series’ three seasons, the historic coastal town of Southport was used again and again to create the fictional town of Cousins Beach. East Moore Street, the City Dock, Old Elegance Antiques (transformed into Maureen’s Millinery), and Franklin Square Park all had starring roles at various points. The movie picks up that tradition.
🌊 Local’s Take:
First-timers to Southport often stumble onto filming locations without even knowing it. The State Port Pilot building on East Moore Street served as the exterior of the Whale of a Tale Bookshop. Stroll downtown and you’re basically walking through Cousins Beach. Try stopping into Old Elegance Antiques while you’re at it, it’s a gem even without the cameras.
A Disney Pilot in Southport? Yes, Really.
If one major production in Southport weren’t enough, a second just showed up, and this one involves Disney. A Disney Branded Television pilot set to begin production in the Wilmington area arrived in Southport in late April 2026, with the project listed under various working titles including “Saltwater” and “Aquamarine.”
The name Aquamarine will ring a bell for fans of the 2006 mermaid movie. The original Aquamarine starred Emma Roberts, Sara Paxton, and the singer JoJo. Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, who directed the original film, has been named in entertainment industry reporting connected to this project. Whether it’s a sequel, spinoff, or something entirely new, Southport’s waterfront has the look Disney wants.
Worth noting: pilot episodes don’t always lead to a full series, and even if Disney greenlights a season, that doesn’t guarantee the show would continue shooting in the Wilmington area. But for now? Southport is a very busy little town.
📌 Insider Tip:
Casting notices for the Disney pilot have been posted locally since April, seeking teen actors for roles named Coral, Mia, and August. If you or your teen are local, check the SC Film Commission and NC Film Office social pages regularly for open calls.
Netflix’s “The Waterfront”: Southport and Wilmington’s Latest Hit
The Waterfront put Southport’s working waterfront on the map in a different way, as the backdrop for a gritty family drama about a seafood empire in decline. Starring Melissa Benoist, Maria Bello, Holt McCallany, and Jake Weary, the show follows the Buckley family as they fight to hold onto power in fictional Havenport, North Carolina.
Southport’s Fishy Fishy Café and Morningstar Marinas set the scene for the once-thriving Buckley seafood empire. Off camera, the cast was spotted dining at Wilmington favorites like Seabird and strolling along South Front Street. One of the character’s homes in the show sits just down the street from the house featured in Nicholas Sparks’ Safe Haven, a fun Easter egg for superfans.
South Carolina Enters the Frame: Myrtle Beach’s Movie Moment
South Carolina’s coast has its own film credentials, and 2026 brought Myrtle Beach its own moment in the spotlight. The film Learning You, directed by Tyler Sansom, was filmed on the Grand Strand, with Sansom choosing the location for its unique appeal, particularly highlighting Family Kingdom’s ferris wheel in the film’s opening scene.
The movie follows a father and his autistic son on a road trip. Filming required shutting down a block of Ocean Blvd. in front of the Grand Atlantic. A pivotal scene involves an eight-foot sandcastle designed by an architect, which plays a crucial role in the film’s narrative. The film hit theaters in early 2026 and has earned strong emotional responses from audiences.
Meanwhile, the bigger picture in Charleston is in transition. Both “Outer Banks” and “The Righteous Gemstones”, two of Charleston’s biggest productions in recent years, have wrapped, leaving a gap in the production calendar. The SC Film Commission has indicated new projects are in discussion, with potential for significant announcements. Historically, Charleston drives most of South Carolina’s film activity, so watch that space carefully.
🌊 Local’s Take:
Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand has been overlooked as a film destination compared to Charleston, but Learning You proves the location has cinematic range. Family Kingdom’s vintage ferris wheel and the wide, walkable expanse of Ocean Blvd. give it a boardwalk Americana look that’s genuinely distinct.
Star Power: The Celebrities Who Call This Coast Home
Here’s a fun piece of coastal trivia your Airbnb host probably won’t mention. Some of Hollywood’s biggest names don’t just film here, they live here.
Figure Eight Island, just north of Wrightsville Beach, counts among its celebrity residents Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, and Ben Stiller, all property owners on the exclusive private island. The island’s privacy is legendary: accessible only by boat or via a guarded causeway swing bridge, the only privately owned bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in the Southeast. It’s earned the nickname “The Hamptons of the South,” and that’s not hyperbole.
Roberts first connected with the area when she came to Wilmington in 1991 to film Sleeping with the Enemy at Shell Island Resort on the north end of Wrightsville Beach, and she never really left. Aniston followed, eventually filming We’re the Millers nearby and putting down roots. Over the years, Alec Baldwin, Kathy Bates, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Gere, Barbra Streisand, and Paul Newman have all been guests on the island.
Author Nicholas Sparks is another famous figure with deep coastal ties here. He draws inspiration from the area’s charming historic towns and tidal rivers, and productions like Safe Haven (shot largely in Southport) and A Walk to Remember (filmed at locations across Brunswick County) are direct results of that relationship.
🎬 Did You Know?
Michael Jordan grew up in Wilmington. He moved there as a young child and has described the Carolina coast as home throughout his life, long before anyone called it Hollywood East.
Want In? How to Work as a Background Extra or Join a Film Crew
So you want to be in the movies, or at least in the background of one. Good news: the Carolina coast is one of the most accessible places in the country to make that happen.
Background Extras: The Easiest Entry Point
Background acting (also called “extra” work) requires zero professional experience. Productions in the Wilmington area regularly need local people to fill scenes; restaurant patrons, beachgoers, marina workers, you name it. Pay varies, but background roles on TV productions in the Wilmington area typically pay in the range of $100–$250 per day depending on the production and role type.
The best way to get on the list is through local casting agencies. TW Cast and Recruit and Kimmie Stewart Casting are the two most prominent Wilmington-based casting agencies, reachable through their Facebook pages. Both cast regularly for major productions including RJ Decker and, historically, The Summer I Turned Pretty.
You can also monitor casting boards directly. Prospective extras are expected to provide physical descriptions and a headshot. Accepted extras are typically contacted shortly before filming begins. The window can be short, sometimes just a day or two, so staying connected to those agencies matters.
What to Expect on Set
Background acting requires patience and stamina. Extras may work a couple of hours or be required to stay late into the night, and they often don’t know the time requirements until they’re on set. But the access is real. Former extras on The Summer I Turned Pretty have described learning ballroom dances alongside main cast members and watching complex fight scenes filmed from multiple angles, experiences impossible to get any other way.
Joining the Film Crew: Building a Career in the Industry
Background work is the front door, but there’s a whole industry behind it. North Carolina’s film infrastructure supports crews in departments ranging from art direction and costume to lighting, camera operation, and special effects. The NC Film Office encourages crew hopefuls to connect with local production companies, as productions generally use LOCAL or regional casting directors, talent agencies, and extras casting directors to find talent.
For those serious about breaking in on the crew side, UNCW’s film program and local organizations like Flicker Film Society offer hands-on connections. Student productions, indie films, and commercial shoots all provide legitimate on-set experience, and Wilmington’s industry is large enough that those connections matter.
⚠️ Scam Warning:
The SC Film Commission has flagged a pattern of fraudulent “casting” operations targeting locals, including fake production companies offering pre-production payments via check. If any production asks you to cash a check and return funds, walk away immediately. Legitimate productions never operate that way. When in doubt, verify through filmnc.com or scprt.com/film-commission.
Resources to Bookmark Right Now
Start with these official sources and check them regularly:
NC Film Office: filmnc.com lists current and recent productions by region, including the Wilmington area
SC Film Commission: scprt.com/film-commission. South Carolina’s official production hub and casting guidance
Project Casting: projectcasting.com aggregates North Carolina casting calls including Wilmington extras
Backstage: backstage.com: professional-level casting listings, includes Wilmington-specific searches
TW Cast & Recruit: Facebook: the go-to local agency for Wilmington-area background work
From the dunes of the Outer Banks to the cobblestones of Southport’s waterfront, the Carolina coast has always had star quality, Hollywood just keeps proving it, one production at a time. Come for the beach. Stay for the scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is currently filming in Wilmington, NC?
As of 2026, the ABC/Hulu drama RJ Decker starring Scott Speedman and based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel, has been filming in Wilmington, Carolina Beach, and Fort Fisher. The show was renewed for a second season in May 2026. Additionally, The Summer I Turned Pretty movie returned to the Southport and Wrightsville Beach areas in late April 2026, and a Disney Branded Television pilot began production in the Southport area around the same time.
What celebrities live near Wilmington, NC?
Figure Eight Island, a private gated community just north of Wrightsville Beach, is known to be home to several A-list celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, and Ben Stiller. The connection is longstanding, Roberts first came to film Sleeping with the Enemy in 1991 and purchased property afterward. Michael Jordan grew up in Wilmington and has maintained NC ties throughout his life.
What new show is Netflix filming in Southport, NC?
Netflix’s The Waterfront recently used Southport, specifically Fishy Fishy Café and Morningstar Marinas, as the primary setting for the fictional Buckley seafood empire. The show stars Melissa Benoist and Maria Bello. Southport also appeared in Amazon’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, which has returned to the area to film its movie adaptation as of April 2026.
What movie is being filmed in Southport, NC right now?
In late April 2026, The Summer I Turned Pretty movie began filming at the Yacht Basin and surrounding areas of Southport. Simultaneously, a Disney Branded Television pilot (working titles “Saltwater” and “Aquamarine”) also began production nearby. Southport’s Victorian architecture, grand oaks, and waterfront make it one of the most sought-after filming locations on the East Coast.
What is currently filming in South Carolina?
The independent film Learning You filmed on Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand, including Ocean Blvd. and Family Kingdom, and released in early 2026. Charleston, historically the state’s primary film hub, is currently between major productions following the conclusion of Outer Banks and The Righteous Gemstones. The SC Film Commission has indicated new projects are in discussion for the Charleston area in 2026.
How can I be a background extra on a show filming in Wilmington?
The most reliable route is through TW Cast & Recruit or Kimmie Stewart Casting, both Wilmington-based agencies that cast regularly for major productions. Follow their Facebook pages and check projectcasting.com and backstage.com for posted calls. You’ll typically need to submit a headshot and physical description. No professional experience is required to work as a background extra, but flexibility with availability is essential since notice can be short.
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