**Exploring the Lavish Homes of ‘Your Friends and Neighbours’ with Production Designer Anu Schwartz**
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The Apple TV+ series *Your Friends and Neighbours* delves into the extravagant world of Westmont Village, a fictional representation of lavish living in Westchester County, New York. With its recent return for a second season, the show continues to draw attention not only for its intriguing characters, portrayed by stars like Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn, and newcomer James Marsden, but also for its stunning production design. Anu Schwartz, the production designer, sheds light on the inspiration and locations behind these magnificent residences that serve as backdrops for the narrative.
Filmed in a variety of upscale suburbs, including Purchase, Rye, and Harrison, as well as parts of Long Island, the homes featured in the series reflect the lives of their affluent inhabitants. Schwartz discusses how these settings contribute significantly to the overarching themes of the series, particularly the concept of materialism and its emptiness.
At the heart of the series lies the Cooper family home, a spacious residence located in Harrison. This is where the struggles of Andrew “Coop” Cooper unfold as he navigates personal and financial crises. Schwartz highlights the importance of creating a space that contrasts with Coop’s life following his wife Mel’s affair. “Mel’s home was designed to be warm and refined,” he states, emphasising its departure from the colder atmosphere of Coop’s rental after the couple’s split. He describes the house, built in a craftsman style, as having classic lines and beautiful finishes that set it apart from many “McMansion” houses that often populate the area.
Turning to Samantha “Sam” Levitt’s home, Schwartz elaborates on the intricate balance needed to reflect her character’s background. “Sam came from a modest upbringing in South Boston and had to fit into the upper crust of Westmont,” he explains. The home, filmed in Purchase, was crafted to reflect her delicate balancing act between her roots and her new surroundings. With elements that border on ostentatious — such as an eclectic mix of artwork and charming furnishings — the design encapsulates her journey of adaptation and acceptance within the high-society community.
Nick Brandes, another focal character in the narrative, epitomises the archetype of a sports star having risen to wealth. Schwartz describes the visual transition from Nick’s first home to his new mansion introduced in season two. This significant upgrade includes extravagant features such as a personal bowling alley and an expansive basketball court located on Long Island. “The intention was to create a space that was more ostentatious than his previous one, matching his ascent in prominence,” Schwartz notes, reflecting on how the development ties into his character arc.
The series also introduces Owen Ashe, portrayed by Marsden, whose character brings a new dimension with his sizeable ego and extravagant taste. Schwartz explains how Owen’s abode reflects his fluctuating financial status and his penchant for the finest collectibles. “We wanted Owen’s home to exemplify his global influence, filled with rare and expensive art,” he remarks. For authenticity, the production used reproductions of highly valuable artworks to portray this character’s impressive collection.
In addition to representing individual characters, the settings serve to illuminate the competitive nature of the affluent community depicted in the show. Schwartz notes that the homes are not merely aesthetic backdrops, but rather, integral components of the narrative that reflect the internal conflicts of the characters. “The characters’ possessions are often presented in a way that suggests competition, making it easier for Coop to rationalise his thefts,” he says.
The process of finding these stunning locations was not without its challenges. Throughout the scouting process, Schwartz and the crew had the rare opportunity to enter real homes, each with their unique stories and lifestyles. “Our homeowners were incredibly welcoming, embracing the filming process,” he shares, crediting their generosity with contributing to the authenticity of the portrayal of commuter life in high-end neighbourhoods dominated by finance professionals, lawyers, and doctors.
With this new season of *Your Friends and Neighbours* dropping new episodes every Friday on Apple TV+, the aesthetic and thematic underpinnings crafted by Schwartz continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the viewer’s experience. As the series progresses, the exploration of wealth, status, and the corresponding emotional vacuity remains at the forefront, presented beautifully through the lens of Schwartz’s intricate designs.
As audiences settle in for another season, it will be interesting to see how these sumptuous homes evolve alongside the characters, particularly as they grapple with the ‘dark sides’ of their opulent lifestyles within the glimmering walls of Westmont Village.