POKER FACE from Peacock TV filmed in the Hudson Valley from April through October 2022.
The 10-episode mystery-of-the-week series ended March 9 with last episode for season 1. The series follows Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.
In addition to Natasha Lyonne, the series will feature guest stars Adrien Brody, Angel Desai, Audrey Corsa, Benjamin Bratt, Brandon Michael Hall, Charles Melton, Chelsea Frei, Cherry Jones, Chloë Sevigny, Clea DuVall, Colton Ryan, Danielle MacDonald, Dascha Polanco, Ellen Barkin, Hong Chau, Jasmine Aiyana Garvin, Jameela Jamil, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Light, Leslie Silva, Lil Rel Howery, Luis Guzmán, Megan Suri, Niall Cunningham, Nicholas Cirillo, Nick Nolte, Reed Birney, Rhea Perlman, Ron Perlman, Rowan Blanchard, S. Epatha Merkerson, Shane Paul McGhie, Simon Helberg, Stephanie Hsu, Tim Blake Nelson, Tim Meadows and thousands of local extras.
“The Hudson Valley Film Commission was an excellent resource for us in casting Hudson Valley locals. They were always available and eager to help us get the word out to as many locals as possible to be involved as background extras on our shows. Without their help, our job would have been a lot more difficult in helping the production achieve their vision. It is great to see an expanding pool of locals who are excited and willing to do background work and show up to set knowing what they are doing.” –Grant Wilfley Casting
In addition to local extras, the production hired more than fifty local crew members to work in different departments including accounting, grip & electric, hair & makeup, location scouting, production, set medics, special effects, stage management, wardrobe and more.
Filming took place throughout the Hudson Valley. Here’s a little recap of some of the locations.
EPISODE 1: DEAD MAN'S HAND
Directed by Rian Johnson,
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Adrien Brody, Dascha Polanco, Benjamin Bratt
When a close friend meets an untimely end, Charlie Cale, a casino cocktail waitress with an uncanny knack for identifying lies, is determined to unravel these mysterious events, even if it endangers her own life.
Select Hudson Valley Locations:
Umbra of Newburgh (@former Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor), North Plank Road Tavern in Newburgh
EPISODE 2: THE NIGHT SHIFT
Directed by Rian Johnson,
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Hong Chau, Megan Suri
Wounded and on the run, Charlie is forced to make a pit stop in desolate New Mexico where she tries to clear the name of a trucker framed for the murder of a local.
No Hudson Valley Locations in this episode.
EPISODE 3: THE STALL
Directed by Iain B. MacDonald
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Shane Paul McGhie, Lil Rel Howery, Danielle Macdonald
Charlie takes a job at a family-run Texas BBQ joint and must use her skills of perception to sniff out the truth behind a shocking death.
Select Hudson Valley Locations: Accord Service Station, Big Dogs Brewery in Walden, Umbra of Newburgh
EPISODE 4: REST IN METAL
Directed by Tiffany Johnson
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Chloë Sevigny, Nicholas Cirillo, Chuck Cooper, Benjamin Bratt
Charlie goes on tour with has-been metal band Doxxxology, a motley crew of dejected rockers who've spent decades trying to write a new hit; Charlie suspects foul play when one musician winds up dead.
Select Hudson Valley Locations: The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, Towne Crier Café in Beacon, Restaurant Depot in Newburgh, Rodeway inn in New Paltz
“It was a great experience overall, generating a lot of local excitement, and we were pleased that we were able to offer two stages for filming, showing Natasha Lyonne's character performing at two different venues." –Towne Crier Cafe
EPISODE 5: TIME OF THE MONKEY
Directed by Lucky McKee
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Judith Light, S. Epatha Merkeson
Working at a retirement home, Charlie makes friends with two rebellious old ladies who may have taken matters into their own hands.
Hudson Valley Locations: Woodland Pond at New Paltz, Trevor Zoo in Millbrook
“Overall, we had a rather pleasant experience hosting Poker Face and the film crew here at Woodland Pond. Amongst an unsure prediction as to how this was to unfold, we found the process of coordinating community and facility usage with the Film Agency unproblematic and enjoyable. The one issue we did run into was frequent smoking on campus, which was prohibited from the start of the filming.” –Woodland Pond
EPISODE 6: EXIT STAGE DEATH
Directed by Ben Sinclair
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Ellen Barkin, Tim Meadows, Audrey Corsa, Jameela Jamil
Charlie's waitress job at a dinner theater is interrupted by a tragic death on stage during a performance by two washed-up television stars; when she starts to investigate, deadly motivations come to light.
Hudson Valley Locations: Private home in Garrison, Beacon Theater, Umbra @ Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor.
“Poker Face shot at both our theater and restaurant, as well as exterior marquee stuff, for an episode. It was an absolute dream of an operation, from top to bottom. All my contacts on the locations side of everything were extremely generous and professional, as well as just being very cool people. And the crew was one of the most dedicated and talented I've seen, everybody was an amazing piece to a spectacular puzzle. It was really a situation that could've been a nightmare to handle, but everyone involved in the prep, shoot and clean up made it a dream. Very psyched to catch the episode!“–Mike Burdge, Story Screen (now The Beacon)
EPISODE 7: THE FUTURE OF THE SPORT
Directed by Iain B. MacDonald
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Tim Blake Nelson, Chales Melton, Leslie Silva, Angel Desai
While working at a go-kart complex, Charlie becomes involved in a bitter feud between an aging race car driver and a hotheaded young upstart, whose rivalry has explosive consequences.
Select Hudson Valley Locations: Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, The Castle Fun Center in Chester, Happy Valley Arcade Bar in Beacon and Private Homes.
EPISODE 8: THE ORPHEUS SYNDROME
Directed by Natasha Lyonne
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Nick Nolte, Cherry Jones, Luis Guzmán, Tim Russ
A special effects artist unearths a past project to find closure from the guilt of a fatal on-set accident; when old demons resurface, Charlie is left to unravel a new deadly plot.
Select Hudson Valley Locations: Barbershop on Main Street in Cornwall, Private Homes & Barn, IBM Somers Office Complex, Umbra of Newburgh
EPISODE 9: ESCAPE FROM SHIT MOUNTAIN
Directed by Rian Johnson
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Castaneda, Stephanie Hsu
Charlie finds herself stranded in a motel during a blizzard; in order to survive the night, Charlie must decipher the deadly tension between her questionable companions.
Most of the exteriors for this episode, which is set in Colorado, were not filmed in the Hudson Valley but there are a few surprises including Tetta’s Market in Olivebridge, which was actually one of the first locations used in the region on April 11, 2022. The scene features Natasha Lyonne and Stephanie Hsu.
Select Hudson Valley Locations: Tetta’s in Olivebridge, Tuxedo Motel, Umbra, Vassar Hospital
“It was a pleasure to host and work with Poker Face. The film crew was very professional, considerate and communicative both before, during and after filming. It was a wonderful experience to see the amount of thought, work and coordination that goes into these film shoots. In the days after shoot, the production stood by their word and made sure the store was just as they found it, if not better.” –Tetta's Market and Pizzeria
EPISODE 10: THE HOOK
Directed by Janicza Bravo
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Ron Perlman, Simon Helberg, Clea DuVall, Benjamin Bratt, Rhea Perlman
Charlie faces her greatest challenge yet when she is caught in the crossfire of a deadly power play that puts her in the sights of two ruthless crime syndicates and the FBI.
Select Hudson Valley Locations: Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie, Big Dogs Brewery in Walden, The Chance in Poughkeepsie, Beacon Movie Theater, Ireland Corners in Gardiner, Umbra builds for Yacht
