Cape Fear filming locations: A look inside the Apple TV reboot

Cape Fear is Apple TV's upcoming psychological thriller miniseries, based on John D. MacDonald's 1957 novel The Executioners and the eponymous 1962 and 1991 film adaptations. The upcoming reboot is created by Nick Antosca and stars Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, and Javier Bardem.

The upcoming Apple TV reboot follows Anna and Tom Bowden, happily married attorneys, whose lives are upended with the arrival of unreformed ex-convict Max Cady, whom they represented 17 years earlier in court. The dangerous criminal has returned with vengeance on his mind and blames the couple for putting him behind bars.

The production on Cape Fear took place in Georgia, primarily in Metro Atlanta and Savannah, from April to September 2025.

Here are the filming locations for the upcoming series.

Cape Fear filming locations

Metro Atlanta, Georgia

According to reports, the majority of the upcoming psychological thriller was shot at Assembly Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Located at 2582 Assembly Boulevard, Building 2000, in Doraville, the studios span over 1 million sq. ft. of production space and include 22 soundstages, warehouses, and many other facilities. This location was likely chosen for its infrastructure and tax incentives, which helped the crew bring this thriller series to the small screen.

In addition, Cape Fear was shot in Cherokee County, located in the Etowah River sub-basin of the Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin near Lake Allatoona. This location, dubbed 'Where Metro Meets the Mountains,' was likely chosen for its perfect blend of modernity and natural landscape. It effectively highlights the contrast between Bowden’s peaceful life and the chaos that unfolds with Max Cady’s arrival.

Additional Cape Fear filming locations in Metro Atlanta include the Woodruff Arts Center, located at 1280 Peachtree Road in the northeastern part. The crew was seen filming at the Museum of Art, making it an important filming location for the upcoming series.

Savannah, Georgia

A shot from the trailer (Image via YouTube/Apple TV)

A major chunk of Cape Fear was also shot on the historic coast of Savannah to pay homage to the setting of the original 1962 and 1991 films. The oldest city in the state, Savannah, is the county seat of Chatham County and has served as the primary filming location for many movies, including The Menu, Juror #2, The Act, The Fugitive, and Paradise City.

The coastal city's Southern charm, historic landmarks, and natural landscapes helped the crew and actors translate the psychological tension, secrecy, and suspense of the narrative to the screen.

The series follows a seemingly normal family whose life is disrupted by the arrival of a dangerous figure, and Savannah's visual character helps reinforce that contrast. Its elegant neighborhoods and tranquil scenery lent an ominous tone, making the city well-suited for a thriller that explores fear lurking beneath the surface of everyday life.

Who's in the cast of Cape Fear?

A shot of Amy Adams from the trailer (Image via YouTube/Apple TV)

The Cape Fear cast is led by Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson as attorneys Anna and Tom Bowden, respectively. The Golden Globe Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress is best known for her leading role as Giselle in the 2007 musical fantasy film Enchanted, as painter Margaret Keane in the 2014 biopic Big Eyes, self-harming reporter Camille Preaker in the 2018 HBO miniseries Sharp Objects, and Lynne Cheney in the 2018 biographical black comedy film Vice.

Tony Award-nominated actor Patrick Wilson is best known for his starring role as Ed Warren in The Conjuring universe, opposite Vera Farmiga. The Scream King has also appeared in drama series like A Gifted Man and Fargo.

Academy and BAFTA-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem is the next addition to the Cape Fear cast. Bardem portrays Max Cady, the primary antagonist in the John D. MacDonald novel The Executioners.

Rounding out the series' cast are actors Lily Collias as Tom and Anna's daughter, Natalie Bowden, Joe Anders as Tom and Anna's son Zack Bowden, and CCH Pounder as Noa Toussaint.

Tune in to the Cape Fear double-episode premiere on Apple TV on June 5.