Where Was ‘Wayward’ Filmed? All About the Real-Life Locations

Netflix’s eerie thriller Wayward may be set in the fictional town of Tall Pines, Vt., but the series was brought to life in some very real — and striking — locations in Ontario, Canada.

Created by and starring Canadian Mae Martin, the eight-episode miniseries, which was released on Sept. 25, centers on Tall Pines Academy, a mysterious boarding school for troubled teens run by Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette). Beneath its polished image, the academy hides disturbing practices, using hallucinogens and psychological conditioning to strip students of their trauma — and often, their very sense of self.

The story follows police officer Alex Dempsey (Martin), who moves to Tall Pines with his pregnant wife, Laura Redman (Sarah Gadon), only to uncover the academy’s dark influence over the town and his wife’s own hidden past there. At the same time, two teenagers, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind), get drawn into the school’s grip, testing their friendship as one seeks freedom while the other embraces the academy’s promise of transformation.

While Martin has previously appeared in several Canadian productions, Wayward was the first full project they filmed in their home country. 

“It’s crazy. I used to go to [the Toronto International Film Festival] with my friends and a camcorder, waiting for celebrities. So it feels full-circle,” they told Parade in September 2025. “I feel very proudly Torontonian after working with this incredible Toronto crew.”

So, where was Wayward filmed? Here’s everything to know about the real-life shooting locations.

Millbrook, Ontario

Although Wayward is set in the sleepy fictional town of Tall Pines, Vt., the Netflix series was primarily filmed in Ontario, Canada.

While a select few scenes were shot in creator Mae Martin’s hometown of Toronto, the village of Millbrook served as one of the primary filming locations, per Ontario news outlet kawarthaNOW. The town — which is situated about an hour outside of Ontario’s capital — provided an ideal backdrop with its quaint downtown.

Exterior shots of the Tall Pines farmers market and police station were filmed on Allen Lane and Needlers Lane in Millbrook, according to Toronto.com.

Production ran for 80 days and involved a massive team of over 2,400 Canadian crew members and 650 Canadian vendors, per Netflix. Millbrook isn’t new to major productions either, having previously served as the backdrop for series such as Reacher and Anne with an E.

Christie Lake Conservation Area

The 830-acre Christie Lake Conservation Area in Dundas, Ontario, played a key role in bringing the Wayward world to life.

Alex is often seen jogging along the wooded trails with his dog, Toast, and later navigates the same forest while participating in the search for runaway teen Riley (Gage Munroe).

The lake itself is featured as a pond in a particularly emotional scene, where Alex discovers Laura struggling in the water.

Hy-Hope Farm

The country market at Hy-Hope Farm in Ashburn, Ontario — a family-run property dating back to the early ’70s — was used in Wayward as the interior of the Tall Pines general store, per Toronto.com.

Here, Alex investigates suspicious activity among the townspeople, navigating the shop while drawing curious looks from other customers and exchanging tense words with the store clerk.

Ted’s Restaurant

Disguised as a local reporter, Alex follows a lead to a whistleblower, Maurice (Mark McKinney), who is prepared to reveal the Tall Pine Academy’s closely guarded secrets.

Their meeting unfolds at Ted’s Restaurant, a historic eatery in Scarborough, Ontario, established in 1954. Situated on Old Kingston Road, the restaurant is best known for its classic 1950s décor and as a filming hotspot. Shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, Orphan Black and Designated Survivor have all shot scenes there.

Aristotle’s Steak & Seafood House

Leila, one of the show’s central teenage characters, faces intense challenges while trapped inside the oppressive Tall Pines Academy. A pivotal flashback delves into her troubled past and the tragic fate of her sister, a scene that unfolds inside Aristotle’s Steak & Seafood House and its parking lot.

The restaurant, which has been in operation for over 30 years, is located in Mississauga, Ontario.

Alexandra Park Pool

Leila’s flashback with her sister was also filmed at the outdoor 50-meter pool in Toronto’s Alexandra Park.

Unlike most of the series’ Vermont-based setting, this scene is authentically Canadian, reflecting Leila’s life as a high-schooler in her home country.

The Peddler

The Wayward production team transformed The Peddler into the on-screen Tall Pines Diner, the setting for several tense mealtime showdowns.

Once a biker repair shop, the cyclist-friendly eatery is now a cozy Millbrook staple, doubling not only as the diner’s interior but also appearing in exterior shots that bring the fictional streets of Tall Pines to life.

Rockwood Conservation Area

Wayward also made use of the Rockwood Conservation Area near Guelph, Ontario, where Tall Pines Academy students are shown competing in a group challenge.

This picturesque location is one of Ontario’s natural gems, known for its towering limestone cliffs, centuries-old trees and an intricate cave system. The park is also home to striking glacial potholes — including one of the largest on the planet.