“Absentia,” the TV series starring Stana Katic, is set in Boston but was filmed almost entirely in Bulgaria.

Main filming locations

  • Sofia, Bulgaria – Most city exteriors were shot in and around Sofia, which was dressed to stand in for Boston across all three seasons.
  • Nu Boyana Film Studios (Boyana district, Sofia) – This major studio provided the soundstages and American-style backlot streets used for FBI offices, interrogation rooms, safe houses, medical sets, and many “Boston” street scenes.
  • Forests near Sofia / Vitosha foothills – Woods and rural areas on the edge of Sofia and around Vitosha were used for the series’ distinctive forests, cabins, and abduction backstory scenes.

The production team and the official series account have confirmed that all three seasons were shot in Bulgaria, with Sofia doubling for various U.S. and European locations.

Quick Scoop (SEO-style)

  • Focus query: where was absentia filmed
  • Core answer: The series was filmed in Bulgaria, mainly in Sofia and at Nu Boyana Film Studios, with surrounding forests and countryside used for outdoor scenes.
  • Latest context: Even in recent coverage, the show is still cited as an example of a U.S.-set thriller produced cost-effectively in Eastern Europe, especially highlighting Sofia’s ability to mimic Boston streets.

“The entire show was actually shot in Bulgaria,” as noted in coverage quoting the series’ official social channels.

Extra note

This is about the TV series “Absentia” (2017–2020) , not the low-budget horror film “Absentia” (2011), which was shot in Glendale, California.

Meta description (for SEO):
“Wondering where Absentia was filmed? Although set in Boston, the thriller series was shot almost entirely in Bulgaria, mainly Sofia, Nu Boyana Film Studios, and nearby forests and countryside.”

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