The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Filming Locations (2025)

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is the highly anticipated prequel to the 2022 hit series The Terminal List. This action-packed series takes us back in time to explore the origin story of Ben Edwards, played by Taylor Kitsch. Before he became a CIA paramilitary operator, Edwards served as a Navy SEAL—and this prequel follows that transformation.

The show not only gives us insight into his personal struggles and covert missions, but it also explores his bond with James Reece, played by Chris Pratt. Their friendship plays a key role in the story, adding emotional depth to the fast-paced action.

Produced by Jack Carr (author of The Terminal List novels) and David DiGilio, Dark Wolf aims to provide a raw and realistic look into the world of military intelligence. With scenes filmed across Croatia, Hungary, and the United States, the production team made sure the locations matched the gritty, global nature of the series.

Here on Spiky TV, we’re diving into the real filming spots that helped bring this intense prequel to life.

Where Was The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Filmed?

To match its global spy-thriller vibe, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf was filmed in several locations around the world. These locations were chosen to provide a realistic setting for the show’s action sequences. In this post, I will outline the major filming locations:

Croatia: A Stand-In for Iraq and Beyond

Croatia was a major filming hub for Dark Wolf, especially the coastal city of Zadar. This picturesque city stood in for Mosul, Iraq, in scenes depicting war-torn streets and bustling markets. Zadar’s mix of historic architecture and modern urban areas made it a perfect double for the Middle Eastern settings in the story. The production team also filmed in:

• Biljane Donje: This small village near Zadar provided a quieter, more rural setting for specific scenes, likely used for tactical or training sequences.
• Pag Island: Known for its rocky, moon-like landscapes and ancient ruins, Pag Island added a rugged, intense feel to the show’s military scenes.

Croatia’s diverse scenery and affordability make it a go-to location for big-budget productions like this one. Its ability to stand in for multiple global settings helped bring the show’s international scope to life.

Hungary: Budapest’s Spy-Friendly Streets

Budapest, Hungary, was another key filming location. The city’s historical buildings and narrow alleys, as well as its grand architectural works, made them ideal for the show’s espionage to really jump off the screen. Budapest often doubles as various European cities in films and TV shows. In Dark Wolf, it was probably the setting for secret missions involving characters like Eliza Perash (Rona-Lee Shimon), a Mossad agent. It sounds like Budapest was a big part of the production process because Jack Carr talked about working on post-production there and doing Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR). Its lively but rough sound goes well with the show’s tense, secret vibe.

Los Angeles and Santa Clarita, California: The Hollywood Touch

Closer to home, parts of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf were filmed in Los Angeles and Santa Clarita, California. These areas are well known for their studio work for indoor scenes and outside scenery shoots. It’s quite possible there were shootings at military offices or CIA headquarters or on soundstages in Los Angeles. I assume the Santa Clarita’s open spaces along with its distance to military styled training grounds, better suited the scene in the book with the SEAL training sequence and action scenes throughout the story. The state’s necessity for crew professionals and the broad diversity worked in the state’s favor.

When Did Filming Take Place?

The filming for The Terminal List: Dark Wolf began in March 2024 due to delays from the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild strikes. Shaw and Mendoza’s extensive military backgrounds from the Navy SEALs and Army Rangers respectively, along with advisory roles with the production team, made the experts ideal to turn to for authentic assistance with the weaponry and combat sequences. The veterans ensured that the film’s equipment and especially the fighting scenes, alongside the strategies used, were as close to reality as possible.

By January 2025, Jack Carr was in Budapest for post-production, suggesting that filming had wrapped by then. The series is now set to premiere on August 27, 2025, with the first three episodes dropping at once on Prime Video, followed by weekly releases until the finale on September 24, 2025.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Release Date

The series will premiere on August 27, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video. The first three episodes will be available right away, and the remaining episodes will be released weekly. The final episode is set to stream on September 24, 2025.

With only seven episodes, the series focuses on tight, intense storytelling. Each episode is expected to add more depth to Ben Edwards’ journey and his moral struggles, especially as he moves from Navy life into the secretive world of intelligence operations.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Behind The Scenes

The making of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf was just as intense as the story it tells. Filming took place across multiple countries, and the production team spared no effort in bringing realism and grit to every frame. From military coordination to remote location shoots, everything was carefully planned to give the series a grounded, authentic feel.

Director Frederick E.O. Toye led the creative charge on the pilot episode. In an interview with TV Insider, he shared, “We wanted to shoot on location as much as possible to reflect the emotional and physical journey of Ben Edwards. The landscapes aren’t just backdrops—they’re characters in their own right.”

Star Taylor Kitsch, who plays Ben Edwards, also opened up about the physical demands of the role: “We worked with actual Navy SEALs to get the tactical work right. Every movement had to feel earned, like something Ben had trained his whole life for.”

Producers brought in real military veterans and advisors to ensure the accuracy of gear, mission layouts, and hand-to-hand combat. These experts—including Jared Shaw and Ray Mendoza—not only consulted but sometimes appeared in the series themselves. Their input helped shape some of the most compelling scenes, especially the high-stakes operations and moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

Keep following Spiky TV for more updates on filming locations, behind-the-scenes info, and new releases from your favorite series.

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