You’ve probably seen the promos for 9-1-1: Nashville by now. Maybe you saw the one where a tornado basically eats a Kane Brown concert, or the one with a little girl getting whisked away by a kite at Centennial Park. Honestly, it’s exactly the kind of chaotic, over-the-top drama we’ve come to expect from the Ryan Murphy universe. But there is one thing that makes this spinoff feel fundamentally different from 9-1-1: Lone Star or the original LA-based series.
They are actually filming it in Nashville.
It sounds like a small detail, but it’s huge. If you’re a fan of Lone Star, you know that most of "Austin" was actually just a backlot in Los Angeles with some strategically placed cowboy hats. For 9-1-1: Nashville, the production team moved the whole circus to Tennessee. From Broadway's neon lights to the quiet recording studios of Music Row, the 911 Nashville filming location is the real deal.
Why 1st and Broadway is the show's beating heart
If you’ve ever been to Nashville, you know 1st and Broadway is the epicenter of the madness. It’s where the honky-tonks live. It’s where the tourists lose their boots. It’s also where the showrunners decided to film some of their most ambitious sequences.
During the 2025 CMA Fest, the production crew didn't just film near the event; they filmed in it. Imagine walking to see your favorite country star and realizing you’ve just stepped onto an active TV set. They used the massive, real-life crowds to simulate the panic of an urban emergency. It gives the show an energy that you just can't fake on a soundstage.
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They’ve also spent a lot of time at Ole Red, Blake Shelton’s famous rooftop bar. When you see those sweeping shots of the first responders looking out over the city lights, they aren't looking at a green screen. They’re looking at the actual Nashville skyline from one of the most iconic perches in the city.
The Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge stunt
One of the most talked-about moments in the first season involved a total shutdown of the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge. If you live in the area, you probably remember the traffic nightmare that caused back in July 2025.
The scene was absolute lunacy. They had an Airstream trailer being lifted onto the bridge by a crane and an actor suspended in the air. Apparently, the plot involved a massive tornado (a recurring theme for this show, clearly) and a "refrigerator rescue." Don't ask—it’s 9-1-1. The point is, the bridge wasn't a replica. It was the actual span over the Cumberland River.
Beyond the downtown neon
While the tourist spots get the most screen time, the show has been sneaking into the neighborhoods that locals actually frequent.
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- The Gulch: You’ll spot the high-end industrial vibes of this neighborhood in scenes involving the more "glamorous" side of the characters' lives.
- East Nashville: The artsy, eclectic side of town serves as the backdrop for many of the residential calls.
- Music Row: Since Chris O'Donnell’s character, Don Hart, is a fire captain and a rodeo rider, the show leans heavily into the city's musical heritage. They’ve been seen filming around the historic recording studios where legends actually tracked their hits.
Real firehouses for a real city
A lot of fans have asked if the firehouse in the show is a set. Most of the interior "living" quarters are built on stages for lighting reasons, but the exterior shots are deeply rooted in Nashville’s history.
The production has been using various historic fire stations across Davidson County. They didn't want a generic, modern-looking station. They went for the old brick facades that give the show a sense of "Old Nashville" to contrast with the glass skyscrapers popping up everywhere else. Using actual working stations (or at least the exteriors of them) adds a layer of grit that was sometimes missing from the Hollywood-produced spinoffs.
Is the show actually good for Nashville?
There’s always a bit of a debate when a massive production like this moves in. On one hand, the traffic is a mess. On the other, the state of Tennessee estimates the show will generate over $50 million in economic impact. That’s a lot of money flowing into local businesses.
Plus, they’re hiring locals. Over 600 jobs were created for the production, from technical crew to background extras. If you see a crowd of panicked people running away from a "disaster" in the background of an episode, there's a good chance those are just Nashville residents who took a day off work to be part of the show.
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Where to spot the crew in 2026
Since filming is scheduled to run through early 2026, you still have a chance to see them in action. The production is surprisingly mobile. One week they might be doing a water rescue at the Cumberland Riverfront, and the next they’re out in Knoxville filming a special "road trip" episode.
If you're looking to do some set-spotting, keep an eye on local street closure permits. That’s the secret weapon. Whenever you see "Film Production" signs near the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, grab a coffee and wait. You might just see a helicopter stunt or a fleet of prop fire trucks racing toward a fake explosion.
Actionable insights for fans and visitors
If you want to experience the 9-1-1: Nashville vibe for yourself, here is how to do it without getting in the way of the cameras:
- Visit Centennial Park: Walk over to the Parthenon. It’s where that wild kite rescue happened in the premiere. It’s also just a great place to hang out.
- Check the Bridge: Walk across the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge at sunset. You’ll see exactly why the cinematographers chose it for their biggest stunts.
- Follow the Permits: Use the Nashville city website to check for filming permits if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of Chris O'Donnell or Jessica Capshaw on set.
- Support Local: Many of the businesses featured in the "background" of the show are real Nashville staples. Grab a drink at the bars they frequent on screen; it helps keep the local economy thriving long after the cameras leave.