5 TV Shows Set in Maine but, Surprise, Were Actually Filmed in Canada

If you're from Maine, you likely perk up when a character on TV casually drops a Pine Tree State reference or when you see an entire show is set in your home state.

There’s something exciting about seeing the Pine Tree State represented on screen, whether it’s a moody coastal thriller or a small-town drama.

But let’s be honest. Half the time, that “Maine” doesn’t look quite right. The trees are different. The accents are off. (And even that can be pretty amusing as well.)

More often than not, those shows aren’t even filmed in Maine, and often a number of shots are filmed in parts of Canada.

Why Are Maine Shows Filmed in Canada?

Yup. You might see a show taking place in Maine, but chances are the real setting and filming are in places like Nova Scotia, Ontario, Vancouver, etc.

Sometimes the visual substitute works. Sometimes it doesn't.

But the real reason comes down to money. Of course it does.

According to an article from the Pen Bay Pilot, "other states and Canadian provinces can provide more financial incentives to shoot movies and television productions there."

Unfortunately, the tax incentives in Maine just aren't as enticing right now. The 2024 Maine Film Office Incentive Report states that if a TV show or movie films in Maine, the state will reimburse them for about 10–12% of what they pay workers.

Now, that incentive could change in the future as there continues to be a push for film production in Maine. Time will tell.

TV Shows Set in Maine but Filmed in Canada

So, what are some TV shows set in Maine but filmed in Canada?

Let's keep scrolling to see a few of them. You might even know some of them already.

Haven

The TV show "Haven" takes place in the fictional town of Haven, Maine.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the show is about an FBI agent who goes to Haven for a case but learns the town has supernatural secrets. It's based on Stephen King's "The Colorado Kid."

IMDB lists that filming took place in Nova Scotia in Canada. An unofficial fansite even lists some of the specific places like Chester, Halifax, and Mahone Bay if you ever want to see them in person yourself.

Reacher

The third season of "Reacher" takes place in Maine, with places like Waterville, Gorham, and Pittsfield mentioned during the episodes.

This particular season finds Reacher caught up in a DEA investigation of an import business.

According to Yahoo, Newfoundland, Labrador and Ontario were some of the Canadian filming locations for season three.

The Sinner

The last season of "The Sinner" takes place on the fictional Hanover Island, Maine. (There is a Hanover, Maine, but that's not where the show is set.)

According to Decider, the fourth season was filmed in Nova Scotia, with a majority of it shot in "Lunenburg County, a fishing area that sits on Nova Scotia’s South Shore."

This final chapter sees Detective Harry Ambrose drawn into a case involving a family's tragedy and the secrets uncovered as the truth unravels.

The Mist

The TV show "The Mist" takes place in the fictional town of Bridgeville, Maine.

The one-season series focuses on a mysterious mist that takes over the town, the mysterious creatures in the mist, and the impact all of it has on the people.

According to IMDB, the show was filmed in Nova Scotia, including Halifax and Windsor.

Once Upon a Time

The TV show "Once Upon a Time" takes place in the fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine.

The series centers around fairy tale characters put under a curse that erased their memories and trapped them in the real world without knowing their real identities.

Screen Rant notes that the show was filmed in multiple British Columbia places, including Vancouver and Steveston.

READ MORE: 8 TV Shows That Take Place in Maine and Aren’t From Stephen King

Have you seen any of these shows? Were you excited the took place in Maine and what places/scenes did you realize were just so not Maine?

If you like TV shows set in Maine, what about movies? Keep on scrolling to see a bunch of films set in the Pine Tree State.