Where was The Circle filmed? An overview
The Circle is a reality competition series in which contestants compete to become the highest-rated player, never meeting other players in person and communicating through a simulated social media interface. The show films primarily in purpose‑built apartments in converted buildings or hotels, designed to resemble a modern shared living environment with a main common area and individual bedrooms. While the in‑show branding suggests a vibrant city, production locations are selected for practical factors like controlled environments, reliable infrastructure, and proximity to production support. Below are the verified locations for each season format, production details, and how participants are housed and filmed.
Season 1 (US): Newark, New Jersey
The first American season of The Circle was filmed in the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences at The Plaza in Newark, New Jersey. The cast lived in a dedicated apartment unit built within the hotel, allowing production to control access, manage contestant movements, and maintain technical setups for continuous camera monitoring. Newark was chosen for its availability of suitable residential infrastructure, transport links, and production services. Unlike later iterations that constructed sets inside pre‑existing buildings, this season utilized an existing residential suite to create the living space.
Apartment design and filming approach
The production converted the hotel suite into a stylized living environment with multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, and a large common area containing the primary interface station. Cameras were positioned to capture both interpersonal dynamics in shared spaces and controlled interviews in bedrooms or small pods. Limited in‑person interaction was enforced; contestants spent most of their time filming responses through the Circle interface. This setup reduced location changes and supported a high level of production control required for the catfish format.
Season 2 (US): Los Angeles, California
Season 2 moved production to a custom‑built apartment unit within a centrally located residential building in Los Angeles, California. Like Season 1, the set was constructed within a single, contiguous space to maintain continuity and limit logistical complexity. Los Angeles provided a large talent pool, established production infrastructure, and flexibility for scheduling. The production team emphasized controlled lighting and acoustics, which are essential for the heavy reliance on screen‑based communication and confession‑style interviews.
Set design and controlled environment benefits
Designers treated the space as a hybrid between a residence and a studio, ensuring consistent visuals across episodes. Suites were equipped with multiple cameras, microphones, and monitoring equipment, allowing producers to track behavior and capture spontaneous interactions. Being in a single location reduced travel time for crew, simplified security management for the isolated contestants, and aligned with the show’s need for continuous, high‑quality footage.
Season 3 (US): Los Angeles, California (minor set refresh)
Season 3 returned to Los Angeles with a refreshed interior design while retaining the same building and core technical infrastructure. Production adjusted wall finishes, furniture layouts, and lighting schemes to give the season a distinct visual identity. The convenience of reusing an existing, fully equipped facility helped streamline the schedule, and it allowed production to maintain secure, efficient workflows that had proved successful in Season 2.
Why reuse locations?
- Consistent technical performance across cameras and audio systems.
- Simplified logistics for crew, catering, and transport.
- Expedited permitting and access management through established relationships.
- Lower risk of disruptions compared with securing a new venue.
Season 4 (US): Newark, New Jersey (return)
Season 4 brought production back to Newark, though not necessarily at the exact same property used in Season 1. The production team secured a comparable suite in a hotel or mixed‑use building that could provide the required residential feel with reliable Wi‑Fi, sufficient bedrooms, and sound‑managed rooms for recording. Newark’s existing production footprint and local support teams made it an efficient choice despite being a location previously used more than three seasons earlier.
Location trade‑offs and solutions
Returning to Newark demonstrated a balance between novelty and efficiency. The production added updated design elements to differentiate the season visually while preserving proven technical setups. Working with local vendors and crews familiar with prior builds reduced lead time for set construction and ensured compliance with municipal filming requirements. Security and contestant isolation were managed through controlled access points and on‑site production staff.
International versions and local adaptations
Many international versions of The Circle follow a similar model by filming in controlled apartment environments tailored to the show’s interface‑driven format. Local adaptations may construct sets within existing buildings or purpose‑built facilities, depending on local regulations, budget, and availability of suitable residential spaces. Notably, the British, French, German, and Brazilian editions typically film within major metropolitan areas where production infrastructure and experienced crews are readily available. These locations are chosen not only for practical reasons but also to align with the demographic profiles targeted by each regional version of the show.
How the interface influences filming locations
The Circle’s distinctive format centers on a digital interface through which players communicate and are judged. This creates specific requirements for filming locations. Sets must accommodate multiple camera angles, discreet microphone placement, and reliable connectivity for real‑time rendering of the interface on set. Bedrooms need space for intimate confession segments, while common areas require flexible layouts for shifting group dynamics. As a result, production tends to favor locations where controlled builds are feasible and external noise can be managed. The interface also allows producers to minimize outdoor shooting, concentrating efforts on stable indoor environments that can be replicated across seasons.
Production logistics and permitting considerations
Securing a filming location for The Circle involves coordination with property owners, local authorities, and unions. Soundproofing, electrical capacity, network bandwidth, and storage for archived footage are technical prerequisites. Permits must account for crew size, hours of operation, and any modifications to the space. In cities like Los Angeles and Newark, existing production frameworks and vendor networks streamline this process, making it easier to secure comparable buildings quickly. The controlled nature of the build also reduces variability in noise, lighting, and interruptions, which is vital for a show dependent on both authenticity and technical precision.
Summary of locations by season
| Season | Country | City/Area | Venue Type | Key Production Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | United States | Newark, NJ | Hotel suite at Four Seasons Hotel & Residences | Purpose‑built apartment; heavy technical setup |
| Season 2 | United States | Los Angeles, CA | Custom unit in residential building | Controlled environment, reused infrastructure |
| Season 3 | United States | Los Angeles, CA | Same building, refreshed interior | Visual updates, logistical efficiency |
| Season 4 | United States | Newark, NJ | Comparable suite in hotel/mixed‑use building | Return to prior city with updated design |
Why these locations matter for the show’s format
The choice of filming locations reflects the balance between the show’s need for a controlled, tech‑rich environment and the desire to present a relatable, modern living space to viewers. By concentrating production in a limited number of adaptable venues, The Circle maintains high visual consistency while allowing subtle variations in decor and city context to refresh each season. Proximity to production hubs, experienced crews, and secure facilities ensures that the intensive filming schedule—characterized by continuous recording, frequent confessionals, and rapid editing timelines—can proceed smoothly season after season.
Tips for fans interested in production and locations
Those curious about how reality shows are constructed can observe that interior sets like The Circle’s are often more engineered than they appear. Look for details like uniform wall colors for consistent lighting, hidden camera placements, and discrete microphone rigs. Understanding the role of location in controlling audio, visuals, and access helps explain why many reality competitions rely on contained, purpose‑built spaces rather than traditional on‑the‑street or public venue filming.
Wrap‑up
The Circle is filmed in controlled, purpose‑built apartment environments, with Newark, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, California, serving as primary U.S. locations across its seasons. These sites are selected for their technical reliability, access to crew and infrastructure, and ability to maintain the isolated, interface‑first experience central to the show. The reuse of proven facilities and thoughtful set updates allow each season to retain production efficiency while offering enough visual variety to feel fresh.