West Ham Is Not a Real Town, But Netflix's New Show 'The Society' Was Filmed in One

May 2024 · 4 minute read

If you might be questioning if West Ham is a real the town, it's not, but 'The Society' was filmed in a U.S. city — plus everything you want to know in regards to the Netflix show.

Source: Seacia Pavao/Netflix

If the coming-of-age novel Lord of the Flies was transformed into a CW youngster drama, it will be Netflix's latest authentic series, The Society. 

According to the streaming platform, the show — written by means of Party of Five writer Christopher Keyser — "follows a group of teenagers who are mysteriously transported to a facsimile of their wealthy New England town left without any trace of their parents." Not an island, but you get the picture. 

As anticipated, issues begin to pass fallacious as other teams compete for power and keep an eye on in West Ham, a fictional the city set in Connecticut. 

So, wait where is The Society filmed? 

Source: Seacia Pavao/Netflix

Technically, West Ham is not a real place but the show was actually filmed in Lancaster, Massachusetts. The filming took place remaining September and lines the city's landmarks such as the Prescott Building. 

"The first scene, which is the beginning of the series, which they filmed (on Monday), the kids go off on a field trip and when they come back the town is empty," Lancaster Town Administrator Orlando Pacheco instructed The Telegram. 

He went on to add that the residents were "getting used to it. We’re getting to handle it pretty well." 

This is additionally not the primary time Lancaster has been selected to serve as the backdrop of a popular TV sequence or films. The city, with a inhabitants of kind of 8,000, can also be seen in Hulu's Castle Rock, Slender Man (they filmed in the town’s library), and the upcoming Little Women reboot starring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, and Meryl Streep. 

Source: Seacia Pavao/Netflix

Unfortunately, the gazebo that was constructed via Netflix for the show was taken down following filming as it was deemed not "consistent with the look of the town." 

Start making plans your road commute now!

The Society cast: 

Following the disappearance of the entire adults from their small the town, the remainder teenagers rally behind Cassandra, performed by way of Rachel Keller, and Allie (Kathryn Newton). 

"There is no civilization here. Not until we start one," Cassandra tells her buddies following the incident. It's not lengthy sooner than any other workforce of teenagers wish to take the ability clear of Cassandra and incite chaos in "New Ham."   

Source: Seacia Pavao/Netflix

The rebels are led through Campbell (Toby Wallace) and his friends, Harry (Alex Fitzalan) and Will (Jacques Colimon). "We're not going to ask for power," Toby says on the show, "we're going to take it." 

Uh oh. 

The show also stars a bunch of younger skill including Kristine Froseth, Olivia DeJonge, and Alex MacNicoll. 

The Society critiques are in... 

And it's not looking excellent for the thriller drama internet collection. 

According to Merrill Bar at Forbes, the collection "is still just a little too… standard for its own good." He is going on to compare The Society to The Order, which additionally didn't get the best opinions — but was nonetheless renewed for a Season 2. 

Source: Seacia Pavao/Netflix

"The Society is fine. It’s typical Netflix," he added. "But typical Netflix is really growing stale these days, and for a series with such a wacky Lord of The Flies premise as this, there really needed to be more of a willingness on the show’s part to ride on the wild side."

However, not everyone idea the show was "stale." Time Magazine dubbed the show "the next Netflix sensation you won't see coming," and the LA Times compared it to Lost, with out the grownups. 

"A concoction of hormonal impulses and moral dilemmas, it can be daffy and even a little dumb, but it has some thematic ambition, a talented cast, eventful episodes and a core mystery that may keep you hanging on through its 10-episode first season, even when you know the answers will be less interesting than the questions," Robert Lloyd wrote. 

He also hinted the show may not be suitable for viewers under 17, so parents beware. 

The Society drops on Friday, May 10, on Netflix. 

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