Ozark Isn't Actually Filmed In The Ozarks - Men's Health

As its name might suggest, the Netflix series Ozark is set in the Ozarks. While the pilot episode of the show takes place in Chicago, married couple Marty and Wendy Byrde (played by Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, respectively) arrive in the Ozarks with their two kids in episode two.

And now in its fourth season, the Emmy-award winning show is coming to an end. The final episodes will drop on Netflix in two parts, though, giving us more than enough time to say goodbye to the money-laundering Byrdes, their criminal associate Ruth, and everyone else they've schemed with over the years. Part one of season four premiered on Netflix on January 21.

Also called the Ozark Plateau or the Ozark Mountains, the Ozarks cover parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas, and the Netflix series primarily takes place in Osage Beach, Missouri on the Lake of the Ozarks.

The show features plenty of stunning shots of the Ozarks, including the aforementioned lake and Bagnell Dam. And of course, what would the show be without that iconic shot of the "Welcome To Lake Of the Ozarks" sign? But it turns out there's a story to how the show chose its filming locations—here's what we know about where Ozark is filmed.

Where is Ozark filmed?

While some exterior shots of the actual Ozarks are used on the show, Ozark is mostly filmed in the Atlanta, Georgia area. The waterfront resort seen on the show is inspired by the Alhonna Resort and Marina on the Lake of the Ozarks, and Ozark's creator and writer Bill Dubuque actually worked at a dock hand at Alhonna in the '80s.

The show's crew reconstructed a similar set in Georgia after studying the Alhonna Resort, and most of Ozark's shooting locations take place near Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier, which are about an hour outside of Atlanta. The Byrdes' lakeside family home is actually on a peninsula that juts into Lake Lanier, and other locations seen on the show include a barbecue restaurant in Flowery Branch, Georgia and Silver Skillet, the vintage diner in Atlanta that FBI agent Roy Petty stops to eat during season one.

Ozark has also shot scenes in Lawrenceville, Duluth, Canton, and Norcross, but when it comes to interior shots, those are mostly filmed in Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta. Scenes that take place inside the Lickety Splitz strip club, Russ's trailer, and Buddy's basement home are all constructed on a soundstage.

But if you're wondering why Ozark chooses to film in Georgia of all places, there's actually a pretty good reason to shoot there. Bateman also produces and directs the show, and CN Traveller reported that he and the show's crew were drawn to the state's "really great color and grit [and] aesthetic that’s perfect for the rural flavor that we want." Financially, Georgia was also a great choice for production costs, as the state is famous for giving many shows and movies that film there a generous tax break.

According to Good Housekeeping, the state of Georgia provides a 20 percent incentive for productions which cost more than $500,000. Plus, if they feature the state's peach logo in the finished product, there's an extra 10 percent incentive.

To find out when part two of season four will premiere on Netflix, see our post with everything we know about the final season (and a recap of what's happened so far).

Temi AdebowaleTemi Adebowale was previously an Editorial Assistant at Men's Health, covering shows like Survivor, Peaky Blinders, and Tiger King. Prior to her entertainment work at MH, she was Newsroom Fellow, writing news stories across Hearst Digital Media's brands. Temi likes Rihanna, the StairMaster, and tacos.Milan PolkMilan Polk is an Editorial Assistant for Men's Health who specializes in entertainment and lifestyle reporting, and has worked for New York Magazine's Vulture and Chicago Tribune.