TV Shows That Shook the Ground: 12 Series That Surprisingly Switched Locations Midway!

TV shows typically adhere to a single main setting, but some series opt to change their location over time, which can impact the direction of the stories and characters. This is particularly true for sitcoms that are filmed in front of a live audience, as having one primary location allows for minimal set changes. However, it's not uncommon for shows to start feeling stagnant in their fixed setting and seek a change of scenery. While too drastic of a shift can run the risk of the series losing its appeal, there are instances where the transition to a new central location, such as from a high school to a college, doesn't significantly affect the overall feel of the show.

TV shows often transition to new locations due to various reasons, including characters changing jobs, upgrading their homes, or finally leaving the mysterious island they were stranded on. Occasionally, shows may even return to their original setting. However, the significance lies not in the relocation itself, but in how the show justifies and effectively utilizes the change to enhance the storyline. If the shift in setting feels arbitrary, viewers may not be inclined to follow the show and its characters to the new location. Ultimately, it's rare for a show to be remembered as much for its later settings as it is for its original central location.

12 Lost

While the show never fully departed from the island, and the story was always interspersed with scenes from the continental mainlands, Lost underwent a dramatic shift in season 4. After the surprising conclusion to season 3, many of the characters were rescued from the island and reintegrated into society. Previously, any events occurring on the mainland were depicted through flashbacks, but now they were portrayed as flash-forwards. Naturally, once the characters left the island, they longed to return. However, upon their eventual reunion at the central setting of the show, Lost altered their timelines and time periods.

11 Stranger Things

Stranger Things has remained centered in Hawkins, Indiana, but it expanded its scope beyond the town in subsequent seasons. In season 2, Eleven, the main character, left the familiar small town behind and ventured to the bustling city of Chicago. However, this change of location was not well-received, and viewers eagerly awaited her return to Hawkins, where she would reunite with the rest of the group. Similarly, in season 4, Eleven, along with the Byers family, found themselves in California. The main concern here was not the new setting, but rather the separation of the beloved cast. On the other hand, the addition of other locations like the Russian prison camp, though involving subplots, did not have the same impact as the shifts involving the protagonist.

10 I Love Lucy

One of the most impactful television series in history, I Love Lucy revolutionized the format of sitcoms by introducing the use of multiple cameras to film the live action on a primary set. This set was carefully lit to ensure a consistent visual quality across all camera angles. While there were occasional scenes set elsewhere, the majority of the show took place in Lucy and Ricky Ricardo's Manhattan apartment. However, in the middle of the sixth and final season, the Ricardos relocated to Connecticut, which led to the introduction of new neighbor characters and adjustments to suburban life.

9 Laverne & Shirley

Similar to I Love Lucy, the characters in Laverne & Shirley also experienced a move to a different state. However, in contrast to just the titular roommates relocating from Milwaukee to Burbank, California, the entire main cast of characters joined them, including their friends and family. In fact, this move was prompted by Laverne's father and new stepmother, making it a family affair. The producers made this decision primarily to inject freshness into the show, as its ratings were declining. Laverne & Shirley found employment at a department store as a change of scenery from their previous work at a brewery in Wisconsin. This change proved to be sufficient to extend the sitcom for an additional two seasons.

8 Coach

Another sitcom that chose to relocate midway through its run, Coach successfully maintained its core cast of characters while introducing a few new regulars after the move. Similar to Laverne & Shirley, this series transitioned from the Midwest to a sunnier climate when the titular college football coach, Hayden Fox, received an offer to join an NFL team based in Orlando, concluding season 7. Fox was able to bring his two assistant coaches from Minnesota State, ensuring that most of the character dynamics remained intact despite the change in location. The ratings experienced a slight boost with the fresh setting before gradually declining, ultimately resulting in two additional seasons for Coach.

7 Bizaardvark

The third season of this Disney Channel show, which faced criticism but enjoyed popularity, saw significant changes that are now primarily associated with Olivia Rodrigo's breakthrough acting role. One notable change was the departure of Jake Paul from Bizaardvark and Disney. Additionally, the show shifted its setting from the Vuuugle headquarters, where it had predominantly taken place in the previous two seasons. In the third season, the dynamic duo of Paige and Frankie, who are not only best friends but also creative partners, relocated to the Vuuugle House, an opulent mansion situated in Malibu. This lavish abode also accommodated other content creators, thereby fostering a collaborative environment. Among the new residents were Zane and Rodney, two regular characters who brought a youthful energy to the show. Furthermore, the introduction of Amelia's younger sister, along with the presence of the 10-year-old boys, added to the show's appeal for a younger audience.

6 Halt and Catch Fire

Where Bizaardvark's location change made sense given trends in video content creation,

5 Hearts Afire

5 Hearts Afire

This political sitcom underwent significant changes in both its location and premise. The talented cast of Hearts Afire, including John Ritter from Three's Company and Markie Post from Night Court, initially depicted characters from different professions and political parties interacting in Washington, D.C. The central focus of the show was the blossoming romance between the two main characters, who embraced contrasting political affiliations, showcasing the age-old adage that opposites attract. However, towards the end of the first season, the narrative took a surprising turn as the characters got married and relocated to a small Southern town. Here, Ritter's character, a senator's aide, decided to embark on a new career path by taking charge of a local newspaper. Interestingly, despite the significant alteration in the show's setting, Hearts Afire continued to captivate audiences and lasted even longer.

4 Schmigadoon!

While the future of Schmigadoon!'s third season remains uncertain, the series has adopted a pattern of exploring distinct settings in each batch of six episodes. For its inaugural season, the two main characters found themselves in a charming town where spontaneous musical numbers were the norm, evoking the spirit of Golden Age musicals from the 1940s and 1950s. Following their return to bustling New York City in the conclusion of the first season, Schmigadoon! season 2 transported the couple to a fictional city encompassing humorous parodies and tributes to the musicals of the 1960s and 1970s. Presumably, season 3 would venture into the subsequent era of Broadway.

3 You

The show follows a serial killer main character named Joe, who develops an obsessive relationship with a grad student in New York City. In the second season, Joe moves to Los Angeles and assumes a new identity while finding a new romantic interest. Season three sees Joe and his new wife and son settling in a California suburb. However, in season four, Joe relocates to London with yet another new identity. It is expected that the fifth and final season will feature another significant change in location.

2 The Leftovers

A little over halfway through The Leftovers, there was a significant shift in location as some of the main characters decided to make a move south. While the initial season of the show unfolded in a small town in Upstate New York, focusing on the remaining characters after the "Global Departure," the second season transported them to a quaint Texas town where an unexpectedly high number of "leftover" citizens resided. This new setting allowed for the continuation of the Garvey family's journey from season 1. Season 3 of The Leftovers introduced the audience to yet another significant setting, Australia, while still retaining its connection to the Texan landscape.

1 The Walking Dead

During a zombie apocalypse, survivors have two options: constantly move or find refuge in a fortified area. In the earlier seasons of The Walking Dead, the characters opted for the former, journeying to various destinations such as the Greene Family Farm, the West Georgia Correctional Facility, and Terminus. However, in the middle of season 5, the group ventured northward and sought shelter within the Alexandria Safe-Zone, a walled community that would become a prominent location for the following six seasons. Unlike other TV shows that changed settings halfway through, The Walking Dead's new environment endured longer than any of its previous ones.