Big Love-Utah: Before TLC’s Sister Wives, there was a scripted version in the Mormon state
The widely popular religious series “Big Love” joins our list of iconic tv settings. Known for its honest portrayal of a polygamous family, this series took American tv by storm in its five-year run, from 2006 to 2011. The show revolved around a polygamous family in suburban Utah trying to live their everyday lives alongside their faith. It was not approved by the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but maybe were intrigued by it. It revolved around Utah’s religious state but was shot in California in the Santa Clarita Studios Valencia.
Although most scenes were studio-made, there were still real-life locations and buildings, including The All American Home Center in Downey, California, locations around Filmore, California, and the Fox Hills Mall, Culver City. There were also shots from Sandy or Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, and L.A. The state of Utah and its cultural and religious attributes were highly propagated in the series. Shows like “Union Pacific,” “Under the Banner of Heaven,” and “Cover Me” were shot in Utah as well.