Disney just announced a new mermaid pilot called “Saltwater,” and it’s heading straight for Wilmington, North Carolina. Naturally, I went down a research rabbit hole. What I found surprised me: the Carolina coast has been Hollywood’s not-so-secret beach house for over forty years.
Grab some sweet tea, because this list got long. Wilmington alone has hosted more than 400 productions. Charleston isn’t far behind. Even tiny Myrtle Beach got its own reality show. Let’s tour the sand, the sound stages, and the surprisingly soapy drama behind the TV shows filmed on the Carolina coast.
Wilmington: The OG “Wilmywood”
Long before Atlanta and Charleston entered the chat, Wilmington earned its nickname fair and square. Production started here in the early 1980s, thanks to a studio now called Cinespace Studios Wilmington, formerly EUE/Screen Gems. Locals still call it Hollywood East, and honestly, the title fits.
Two shows put this city on the map for an entire generation. “Dawson’s Creek” filmed here from 1998 to 2003, despite being set in Cape Cod. Fans still tour UNC-Wilmington, Airlie Gardens, and the Old City Market chasing Pacey and Joey nostalgia. Right behind it came “One Tree Hill,” which ran for nine seasons and never really left town. The Riverwalk bench from the Naley bracelet scene still draws tourists today.
Stephen King also has serious history here. “Under the Dome,” “Sleepy Hollow,” and “Secrets and Lies” all used Wilmington’s Gothic charm to great effect. Meanwhile, Danny McBride’s “Eastbound & Down” brought a louder, weirder energy to local high schools and museums. Add in “Hightown,” which doubled Wilmington for Provincetown across two full seasons, and you’ve got a serious resume.
The Current Wilmington Boom
Here’s where things get exciting for 2026. Three major productions have landed in the Port City this year alone. That’s a big deal for any film market.
First up, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” just wrapped its third season. The show transformed Southport into the fictional Cousins Beach. Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach handled the rest of the summer-romance heavy lifting. A movie continuation started filming in April, so Belly’s saga isn’t over yet.
Next, ABC’s “R.J. Decker” proved that North Carolina can absolutely pass for South Florida. Scott Speedman stars as a washed-up photographer turned private investigator. The show leans hard on Wrightsville Beach and Fort Fisher for its sun-soaked look. ABC just renewed it for season two, so expect more trucks on Nutt Street this winter.
Finally, there’s “Saltwater,” the Disney+ mermaid pilot that kicked off this whole search. Casting calls went out for teen actors named Coral, Mia, and August, and filming starts in August. Whether it gets a full series order is anyone’s guess, but for now, Wilmington’s mermaid moment has officially arrived.
And don’t sleep on “Outer Banks” here either. Most of that show films in Charleston. Season four finally brought production to greater Wilmington for the first time. Funny how that works out.
The Actual Outer Banks Gets Its Due
Speaking of irony, here’s a fun twist: the show literally named “Outer Banks” doesn’t film on the Outer Banks. Creator Jonas Pate wanted Wilmington originally, but Netflix passed due to a controversial 2016 law. Charleston got the job instead, and Kildare County became a very convincing stand-in.
If you want the real OBX on your screen, though, you have options. “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks” films entirely on Hatteras Island. Real captains chase real bluefin tuna out of Wanchese and Hatteras Harbor. No scripts, no stunt doubles, just very large fish and very salty language.
History buffs should also know about Andy Griffith’s connection to the area. He lived in Manteo for decades, and a two-part “Matlock” episode called “The Hunting Party” filmed almost entirely there. Locals still talk about it as his personal valentine to the town.
Charleston: The Lowcountry’s Quiet Takeover
While Wilmington gets the nostalgia points, Charleston has quietly built an empire of its own. The city’s historic homes, marshy islands, and tax incentives keep producers coming back year after year.
“Army Wives” ran for seven seasons using Joint Base Charleston as its backbone. Around the same time, “The Notebook” turned Boone Hall Plantation into the most-quoted rain-kiss location in romance history. More recently, Danny McBride set up shop again with “The Righteous Gemstones.” Filming spanned everywhere from the North Charleston Coliseum to a private island near Beaufort.
“Vice Principals” and “Reckless” also called Charleston home. Both leaned into that specific Southern Gothic mood the area does so well. Then there’s reality TV’s favorite playground, “Southern Charm.” It has turned the city’s cobblestone streets into a permanent backdrop for champagne-fueled drama.
And yes, “Outer Banks” deserves another mention. Shem Creek doubles as the Pogues’ favorite hangout, while Morris Island Lighthouse stands in for the fictional Kildare lighthouse. The show has filmed here since 2019, making it one of Charleston’s longest-running tenants.
Myrtle Beach Gets Weird (In the Best Way)
Not every Carolina coast show chases prestige drama or teen romance. Sometimes you just want a trailer park, a hot dog stand, and a whole lot of chaos. Enter “Welcome to Myrtle Manor.”
TLC’s reality series followed an actual Myrtle Beach trailer park from 2013 to 2015. It sounds like a punchline. Yet a Coastal Carolina University study found the show generated $101 million annually for the local economy. Sometimes the silliest shows pay the biggest bills.
So, Will “Saltwater” Make the Cut?
Here’s the catch with every pilot ever made: most don’t survive. “Saltwater” still needs a series order before Disney+ commits further, and even then, nothing guarantees it stays in Wilmington. Still, the casting buzz and crew talent attached suggest real momentum behind this mermaid tale.
Either way, the Carolina coast keeps proving something simple. Give Hollywood a good beach, a historic downtown, and a tax break, and the cameras will keep rolling. Whether it’s mermaids in Southport or tuna boats off Hatteras, this coastline isn’t done with its close-up yet.
For detailed guides keep exploring explorecarolinabeaches.com
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