8 TV shows set in New Hampshire to add to your watch list
From animated series to hit shows, several TV programs have been set in New Hampshire over the decades. Here are some of the most intriguing.
For all intents and purposes, “small but mighty” may as well be our state’s tagline. New Hampshire is the fifth smallest state by size, according to WorldAtlas, as well as the 10th smallest by population size. To outsiders, it might seem like there’s not much going on here, but those of us who live in the Granite State understand how special it is. There’s so much to do and see, from New Hampshire’s best breweries to serene beach yoga, but one thing that might leave you puzzled is the lack of our state on TV.
You can find countless series set in Los Angeles or New York City, but not many shows can say they’re set in New Hampshire, whether entirely or even for a few episodes. But all hope isn’t lost—if you want to see the state you’re proud to live in on the small screen, you just need to know the right places to look. That’s where we come in. We’ve gathered some must-see television shows set in New Hampshire for anyone looking to see a little slice of home represented in their nightly decompression session. So, sit back, relax, and soak up these stories from your state.
1. Breaking Bad
“Breaking Bad” probably doesn’t need any introduction. It was one of the biggest shows of the 2010s, skyrocketing lead actor Bryan Cranston to new heights and securing its network, AMC, a certifiable hit series from 2008 to 2013 (and beyond, as more people watch it on streaming platforms). Now, you may be wondering why it’s on this list, as anyone who knows anything about the show knows that it’s primarily set in New Mexico. But, you see, “primarily” is the operative word here. Season 5, episode 15 of the smash series is titled “Granite State” and takes place in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Cranston’s character, Walter White, naturally doesn’t mesh well with the police—he’s into a lot of illegal activities, after all. This 2013 episode set in New Hampshire features Walter stowing himself away in a mountain cabin, having temporarily left New Mexico behind for his safety. Still, some fans were surprised to learn that the episode wasn’t filmed in the Granite State. “Just found out Walt’s ‘New Hampshire’ cabin is in Albuquerque. My life will never be the same,” one Redditor shared years after the episode first aired. It’s nice to see a story about our local mountains hitting the screen.
“Breaking Bad” is currently streaming on Netflix.
2. Jumanji
The original “Jumanji” film from 1995 began in New Hampshire before becoming a wacky, whimsical journey, but it can’t count for this list because it was on the silver screen. However, millennials might remember seeing the “Jumanji” TV series, which ran for three seasons from 1996 to 1999 following the film’s success. Like the movie, the show is set in New Hampshire in the small fictional town of Brantford.
Like in the films, the series’ characters get sucked into a world of bizarre happenings, so you shouldn’t go into this show expecting to see an animated New Hampshire at every turn. Still, it’s the backdrop for the series, with the characters being anchored to it with their histories, such as being enrolled at Brantford Elementary School.
“Jumanji” is currently streaming for free on Roku.
3. Willy
We’ve taken you through the White Mountains and even to an animated town, and now we’re sending you back in time to an era of black-and-white television that was equal parts low-quality and charming. Sitcoms rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, and networks competed to see which could air the best shows. One show that arose during this period was “Willy,” which was set in New Hampshire and on CBS’s airwaves for 39 episodes between 1954 and 1955.
“Willy” begins in midcentury New Hampshire and follows Willa Dodger (played by June Havoc), who establishes a law practice in the Granite State. Eventually, she learns that her business can’t be sustained where she is and relocates to New York City. So, while the show isn’t entirely set in New Hampshire, it’s another one that uses our state as an initial backdrop—one that cements the characters and their backstories before their lives begin taking surprising turns.
“Willy” is not currently streaming.
4. The Republic of Sarah
Now, back to the 21st century. The CW is known for distributing series that are campy and don’t take themselves too seriously—hello, “Riverdale”—and in the summer of 2021, the broadcast company did it again with “The Republic of Sarah.” This series follows the titular Sarah Cooper (played by Stella Baker), who works as a teacher in the small town of Greylock, New Hampshire. You might be wondering what a small-town teacher is doing in a lead role, but in typical CW fashion, the stakes grow very quickly.
Here’s the gist: Greylock essentially ends up as its own nation after Sarah fights back against a greedy corporation that wants all of the town’s rare minerals. She separates the town from the U.S., so in a way, the show starts in New Hampshire but exits it entirely despite being surrounded by Granite State land. From there, Sarah has to learn how to bring everyone together and proceed as a newly independent entity.
“The Republic of Sarah” is currently streaming on HBO Max.
5. The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire
There’s getting canceled after one season, and then there’s getting canceled mid-season because viewership is just that bad. Unfortunately, that was the case for “The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire.” The title tells you everything you need to know about the CBS show’s setting, but what it doesn’t tell you is that only a handful of episodes made it to air in the fall of 2003—between September and October—before the show was pulled entirely.
IMDb summaries from the time indicate that the series hinged on a trio of brothers in Poland, N.H., who seem put together to the outside world but actually cause some chaos. When you’ve got a mayor, a police chief, and someone out of work as a core cast, surely the show should work, right? Unfortunately, it didn’t, and “The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire” will never be fully realized.
“The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire” is not currently streaming.
6. Stan Against Evil
We’ve been to colorful, chaotic worlds like “Jumanji” and ‘50s sitcoms, but one territory we haven’t yet tread is the realm of horror. But that all changes now, as one very creepy and cool series was set in New Hampshire. Enter “Stan Against Evil,” which aired a total of 24 episodes across three seasons on IFC from 2016 to 2018. Actors John C. McGinley, Janet Varney, Deborah Baker Jr., and Nate Mooney led the project, while many others appeared in recurring roles.
In this series, small-town New Hampshire is facing an onslaught of supernatural threats because of the area’s history with witch burnings, and the locals have to fight back if they don’t want the demons and other creatures to take over. Can a retired sheriff, the new sheriff on the job, and a deputy protect their beloved town from unbelievable haunts? Well, you have to watch to find out. This is a perfect Halloween or fall binge, but we bet you can find the charm in it any time of year.
“Stan Against Evil” is currently streaming on AMC+.
7. Tanner ‘88
Sometimes, horror is horror, and other times, horror is politics. Really, they’re one and the same, but in the fall of 1988, HBO brought politics into the home like never before in the form of the mockumentary miniseries “Tanner ‘88.” You see, a pretty big political event happened that fall: the 1988 presidential election that saw former President George H. W. Bush ascend to the highest office in the U.S. To get in on the hype, HBO released a miniseries about a fake politician trying to snatch the Democratic ticket for his upcoming election.
The series kicks off in New Hampshire, with protagonist Jack Tanner (portrayed by Michael Murphy) chatting with locals to secure their votes in the upcoming primary election. Jack has to start somewhere, and gaining the trust of the people of New Hampshire is as good a place as any. The series doesn’t stay in the Granite State, but kicking it off there feels special, like our state really does mean more than some people might believe.
“Tanner ‘88” is streaming on The Criterion Channel.
8. Ichabod and Me
At this point in the list, it might seem like CBS has a strong connection to the Granite State, and that connection is going to feel even stronger when we tell you about another CBS series set in New Hampshire: “Ichabod and Me.” This show ran from 1961 to 1962 and consisted of 36 episodes before meeting its short-lived end. Unlike many of the other shows listed here, it was primarily set in New Hampshire, rather than using the state as a temporary getaway or an establishing location.
The series follows Bob Major (played by Robert Sterling) as he leaves New York City and his career at The New York Times for a quieter life in New Hampshire, where he can raise his son, Ichabod (played by George Chandler), while taking over the local newspaper of the small town where he now resides. There’s an old-school charm to this show, and it’s quite endearing. That said, full episodes are hard to find. Hopefully, a streaming service will acquire it in the near future so we can all experience another show set in New Hampshire.
“Ichabod and Me” is not currently streaming.
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