Black Cake, a captivating new Hulu series unveils a tapestry of deeply buried family secrets. Based on the bestselling novel by Charmaine Wilkerson, the show unravels over decades, following the journey of Covey, a runaway bride leaves behind a trove of recorded confessions and a cherished recipe, both hinting at her enigmatic past. This intriguing blend of murder mystery and family drama, brought to life by showrunner Marissa Jo Cerar and executive producer Oprah Winfrey, takes place against the stunning backdrops of various locations. But what are these locations and where was Black Cake filmed? Join us as we delve into the world of Black Cake and explore the captivating filming sites and intricate set designs.
Black Cake- An overview
The Black Cake series revolves around a compelling blend of family secrets, mysteries, and multigenerational storytelling. It follows Covey, a runaway bride who embarks on a life-altering journey from Jamaica to California. Before her passing, she leaves behind a series of recorded confessions and a cherished recipe, both of which hint at the hidden layers of her past.
As her children uncover these secrets, the series takes viewers on a mesmerizing and emotionally charged narrative that spans decades and explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the enduring impact of the past on the present. Set against the backdrop of multiple countries, including Jamaica, Italy, Scotland, England, and California, Black Cake weaves a complex tapestry of narratives and locations, promising an enthralling viewing experience.
What is Black Cake release date?
The highly anticipated series Black Cake premiered on November 1, 2023, with its first three episodes available for streaming on Hulu. Subsequently, a new episode will grace screens every Wednesday, leading up to the grand finale, which is scheduled to air on December 6, 2023. Moreover you can also avail Hulu free trial to explore through the platform along with the option to cancel Hulu subscription whenever you want. Checkout best pricing plans for Hulu today and enjoy Black Cake and other best shows on the platform.
Black Cake filming locations
Although Black Cake had it’s shooting in Jamaica, Italy, England, Wales, and California, it wasn’t always possible for every real-life location to perfectly mimic its on-screen counterpart. Due to various challenges, including time constraints and unforeseen circumstances, the production team had to employ creative strategies, expertly blending different places together to achieve the desired on-screen result. Production designer Awel Jones explained that this adaptability was crucial to ensuring the series captured the essence of its diverse locations.
Wales, UK
Wales, particularly in Bridgwater, Somerset, played a crucial role in the series as a major production hub. The exteriors and interiors of a dilapidated hospital in Newport provided a haunting backdrop for the Black Cake series. A significant portion of the series had filming in Wales, starting around August 2022. The series showcased the picturesque Welsh landscapes, including an open field with sheep and goats, creating a unique backdrop for the show. In one instance, even a Jamaica beach scene had an epic recreation inside a Welsh studio with the transportation of a remarkable 80 tons of sand.
England, UK
The production team transformed several locations in England, setting up camp in Bridgewater, where they turned Kings Square and Castle Street into a 1960s London street to capture pivotal scenes in the series. Notably, Bridgewater’s important buildings and landmarks added authenticity to the series, with locations like Sedgemoor District Council’s office building making appearances. Cardiff, Bristol, and London also contributed to recreating the story’s decades-spanning timeline.
Check this out: Black Cake Series Premier on Hulu Made Fans Excited!
Verona, Italy
A brief moment set in ancient Rome had shooting in Verona, Italy. Although IMDb noted Rome, Lazio as a shooting location for the series, it is possible that certain scenes were filmed there since it aligns with the story’s setting.
Los Angeles, California, USA
California scenes has their filming at a real Los Angeles-area house. The warm, Caribbean-inspired decor within the house reflected Covey’s happy upbringing. As the protagonist journeys across the globe, the production design and colour palettes visually depict her changing emotions.
Jamaica, Caribbean Island
A significant portion of the Jamaican sequences were authentically filmed on the island itself. This showcased idyllic spots like Reach Falls, an ecological park in Jamaica. However, many interiors, including the family home, meticulously constructed on soundstages in Wales. The Jamaican scenes burst with bright and vibrant hues, only to dull as Covey reaches England and Scotland. Yet, the colour returns as she finds her way back to California.
Black Cake trailer
Hulu unveiled the trailer for Black Cake on October 2, 2023, offering a glimpse of the intense family drama. The trailer follows the strained relationship between Eleanor’s children, Benny Bennett and Byron Bennett. They meet for the reading of their late mother’s will. They’re stunned to discover a flash drive revealing her hidden past, as Eleanor’s true name is Covey. Flashbacks depict Covey’s forced marriage at 16 and her desperate escape after a fateful act. This sets the stage for her journey to freedom.
Director Natalie Leite talks about behind-the-scenes!
Several critical scenes of Black Cake were also filmed on location in the picturesque island country of Jamaica. In an interview from late October 2023, director Natalia Leite shared her experiences working on the series. She elaborated:
“Very challenging. Sometimes you have the budget to go to a tank in a controlled environment, but we were actually in Jamaica in the water. Some of the cast members had very limited experience in the ocean swimming.”
Natalia added further:
“Their comfort level wasn’t great. We had a lot of support and had water safety people. We had underwater cameras, and we had people on jet skis helping out. It felt very supported, because obviously, safety first. It was still challenging because the water is doing its own thing. Sometimes there’s a wave, and you’re all bouncing along with the movement of the water.”
In a nutshell!
Through resourceful location scouting and set building, the Black Cake team successfully captured the essence of each unique setting. This transportive approach allowed viewers to embark on an emotional journey, exploring themes of family secrets, loss, and self-discovery within the context of diverse and captivating locations. The series authentically recreated each location, blending real-life settings with artistic creativity to create a visually stunning and engaging narrative. We hope this article helped you get a fair idea where was Black Cake filmed and how each setting came into life. Happy streaming!
