Just steps from Toronto’s major film studios, the Riverside neighbourhood has been a film and TV hotspot for decades thanks to the area’s film-friendly ‘doors open’ policy.
Over the years, Riverside has seen some pretty exciting productions roll in, with many corners and sights in the neighbourhood immortalized behind the camera and onto our screens.
From Canadian classics to pop culture hits, here are five projects you probably didn’t know filmed in Riverside:
Photo credit: FX
Adults
Set in New York, FX’s “Adults” is a hilarious ensemble comedy series about five twenty-somethings trying to navigate the day-to-day tribulations of being, well, an adult. To keep the element of surprise, we’d rather not tell you what scenes were shot in the neighbourhood but when you watch the show, you’ll recognize pieces of Riverside right away. Season one of “Adults” is available to watch on Disney+.
Photo credit: Penguin
I Will Find You
Adapted from Harlan Coben’s novel of the same name, “I Will Find You” is an upcoming eight-episode mini series about a father serving a life sentence after being wrongfully convicted of his son’s murder. After learning his son may be alive, he embarks on a mission to uncover the truth. The production filmed in several streets in Riverside earlier this summer. “I Will Find You” is coming to Netflix in 2026.
Photo credit: Hulu
Tell Me Lies
Based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Carola Lovering, “Tell Me Lies” is a drama that follows the turbulent relationship between two college students over the course of eight years. The season three production filmed scenes in Jimmie Simpson Park and The Comrade. A release date for the upcoming season has yet to be announced. The first two seasons of “Tell Me Lies” are available to watch on Disney+.
Photo credit: Hulu
The Handmaid’s Tale
“The Handmaid’s Tale” is an Emmy-winning series based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. Set in the patriarchal and oppressive Republic of Gilead, the dystopian drama follows the lives of child-bearing women who are forced to serve men and their barren wives. In season one, episode three (“Late”), Elizabeth Moss’ character June goes into a French cafe — that French cafe happens to be Riverside’s very own Bonjour Brioche. All six seasons of “The Handmaid’s Tale” are available to watch on Prime Video.
Photo credit: Amazon
The Kids of Degrassi Street
If you didn’t know already, Riverside is home to the famous De Grassi Street! Yes, THAT De Grassi Street of Canadian TV fame! Following the success of “The Kids of Degrassi Street”, the franchise would later on expand with spinoffs like “Degrassi Junior High”, “Degrassi High”, “Degrassi: The Next Generation”, which starred now famed artist Drake, and the Netflix show “Degrassi: Next Class”. You can watch full episodes of “The Kids of Degrassi Street” on YouTube.
If you want to read more about TV and film projects shot in Riverside, read our blog on Riverside BIA 40 Years, 40 Stories: Film & TV Culture in Riverside.
For those who want a more immersive experience in the neighbourhood, you can also do a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Riverside Film & TV.
Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram for updates on exciting happenings in the neighbourhood. Be sure to check out the Riverside Blog too as we upload new stories weekly!