Mad Men is set primarily in New York City, at the advertising agency Sterling Cooper in Midtown Manhattan through Season 3, and at the newly formed Sterling Cooper Draper Pryde on Madison Avenue in Seasons 4 to 6, before moving to the renamed agency McCann Erickson in Season 7. A smaller portion of the series unfolds in Los Angeles as the characters navigate professional expansions and personal shifts. The show was filmed mainly in New York City and Los Angeles, with key studio work at Silvercup Studios in Queens and additional shoots across both cities to capture period-accurate mid-20th-century settings.
Primary setting of Mad Men
Mad Men is set in New York City, specifically at the advertising agency Sterling Cooper in Midtown Manhattan. This location serves as the central backdrop for the first three seasons, reflecting the dynamic and competitive world of 1960s Madison Avenue. The streets, offices, and nearby neighborhoods anchor the series in a recognizable urban environment while providing a historically authentic setting for the characters’ professional and personal lives.
Season-by-season location breakdown
The geography of Mad Men shifts as the story progresses, mirroring the changing fortunes and ambitions of the characters. From the iconic offices of Sterling Cooper to the new Madison Avenue headquarters and later the merged agency, each location marks a turning point in the narrative. A brief overview of agency locations by season helps illustrate these moves.
Agency locations by season
| Season(s) | Agency location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seasons 1–3 | Sterling Cooper, Midtown Manhattan, New York City | Original office and primary setting |
| Seasons 4–6 | Sterling Cooper Draper Pryde, Madison Avenue, New York City | Move to a larger space after agency split |
| Season 7 | McCann Erickson, New York City | Merger with global agency, expanded scope |
Filming locations for Mad Men
While the story is set in New York City, production took place in both New York and Los Angeles. The show relied on a combination of studio sets and on-location shooting to create its distinctive visual style. Production design focused on replicating mid-20th-century aesthetics with period-correct architecture, interiors, and street scenes.
Key filming sites
- Silvercup Studios, Long Island City, Queens, New York City — primary studio filming
- Various Manhattan locations, including Madison Avenue, for exterior shots
- Los Angeles streets and studio backlots for select scenes and transitions
Creative and logistical reasons for dual-city production
The choice to film in both New York and Los Angeles was driven by tax incentives, available studio space, and the presence of experienced crews. New York provided authentic urban textures and period architecture, while Los Angeles offered controlled studio environments and production infrastructure. This combination allowed the series to maintain high production values across its seven-season run.
Period-accurate production design
Mad Men’s visual authenticity comes from meticulous research into mid-20th-century design, including office layouts, furniture, signage, and street details. Production designers and art departments worked to recreate the look of 1960s New York and Los Angeles, using a mix of practical sets, location shooting, and carefully chosen backdrops to support the storytelling.