Nine Perfect Strangers: We Asked The Location Manager For All Of The Filming Locations

In 2021, Nine Perfect Strangers whisked us – and nine unsuspecting guests – off to a rural California wellness resort run by mysterious Russian guru, Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman). Based on Liane Moriarty’s 2019 novel of the same name, we never expected to be reunited with the thrilling series, which ended with Masha driving off in a yellow Lamborghini, leaving her beloved retreat, Tranquillium House, in the dust, now taken over by guests Ben (Melvin Gregg) and Jessica Chandler (Samara Weaving).

But reunited we are: Nine Perfect Strangers will return for season 2 tomorrow (22 May), with Kidman reprising her role as Masha. This time, however, we’re in a new location – a much snowier one. Introducing Zauberwald, Masha’s new retreat hidden in the Austrian Alps. But where was Nine Perfect Strangers filmed? We asked the series location manager Florian Kuthe for the inside scoop.

MAISIE RICHARDSON-SELLERS, KING PRINCESS, DOLLY DELEON, MURRAY BARTLETT, ARAS AYDIN, CHRISTINE BARANSKI, ANNIE MURPHY & HENRY GOLDING in Nine Perfect Strangers. (Disney/Reiner Bajo)

Where Was Nine Perfect Strangers Filmed?

Nine Perfect Strangers season 1 is set in California, but it was filmed in Australia. In contrast, Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 is set and was filmed in the Austrian alps. ‘This season shifts scenery from Tranquillum House in the summery Californian forest to Zauberwald in the snowy European mountains, which obviously brings an exciting change in both look and feel of it,’ says Florian Kuthe, location manager on the series. ‘The world of the mountains gives us a lot to discover, from icy cold forests and snowfields to warm and welcoming interiors, from grand historic architecture to top-notch design wellness amenities, from old cobblestone streets to most elegant palace ballrooms.’

Most of the action takes place at ‘Zauberwald’, Masha’s new retreat, with the German term translating to ‘magic forest’ – and the breathtaking property certainly looks spellbinding. ‘The scripts gave us the image of this grand castle, beautiful historic architecture located majestically in the mountains above a picturesque alpine village,’ Florian says. ‘Some more keywords that went into our scouting I remember were: wish-fulfilling, luxurious, peaceful, isolated, mysterious. The Zauberwald resort was always a series protagonist for Florian, who envisioned the property, like the characters, as ‘having a lot of layers and stories to be uncovered’.

‘More than just looking for a castle, the goal also was to create a very distinguishable melange with modern design elements, and special features like secret passages and other surprises the strangers will stumble across while exploring the resort,’ he says.

Zauberwald is so mystical, it almost feels too good to be true. But real it is, Florian tells us. ‘Most scenes of the retreat and its grounds were shot at a secluded private mansion – a former hunting lodge – in the Austrian alps,’ he says.

MURRAY BARTLETT, LUCAS ENGLANDER, DOLLY DE LEON, NICOLE KIDMAN, ARAS AYDIN & CHRISTINE BARANSKI in Nine Perfect Strangers. (Disney/Reiner Bajo)

Is Zauberwald Real?

Masha’s Austrian retreat, Zauberwald, was filmed at a real private property in the Austrian Alps – but some of the facilities we see on screen sadly aren’t part of the real place. ‘The interiors of Zauberwald castle are a combination of areas filmed on location as well as rooms recreated and envisioned by our amazing production designer Udo Kramer and his team on soundstages near Munich,’ Florian says. ‘We also filmed scenes for the retreat at other real alpine resort locations – for example, the spa area and the cabins overlooking the estate – which bring a very modern look, juxtaposing the historic architecture of the main estate.’

Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 was always set in Austria, but this main filming location wasn’t an open-and-shut deal. ‘Ee covered a lot of ground scouting all across Austria and Germany, from Vienna to Berlin, from metropolitan to most remote areas to explore different options and piecing together what this world of Zauberwald will look like in the end,’ Florian tells us.

But when he arrived at the private property we see on screen, Florian knew it was the one. ‘I remember fondly when scouting the main property for the first time I just felt overwhelmed by the scenery in the best way possible,’ he says. ‘Visually, how the estate was sitting between the mountains, the fresh air, the richness in history of the place… It was like you could sense it all. Next to ticking just a lot of the boxes we had set when envisioning the retreat, I think as soon as we got there with our directors and producers, they all felt it as well, realising: “This is exceptional and we have to film here”.’

As well as a private property, Zauberwald is historic and subject to landmark protection rules. And while ‘the most intricate wall tapestries and centuries-old, most precious furnishings offer richness in design and atmosphere,’ Florian says, they also present plenty of difficulty. No matter: that blend of history with the contemporary nature of Masha’s wellness resort was the end goal, and the art department was on hand to achieve it. ‘We were aiming for a contemporary look by connecting this historic backdrop with very modern design elements,’ Floran explains. ‘Our art department went to great lengths finding the perfect mélange of styles, playing with the old and new. Envisioning our sets, taking away and adding things from or to locations also happened a lot by having in mind how the character Masha would transform this venerable mansion into her new playground: being progressive, bold, wish-fulfilling while still honoring the past.

‘I think our crew was very successful in achieving this vibe for Zauberwald and even more so in blending seamlessly between real locations and beautiful recreations and original setpieces on stage,’ Florian says.

MAISIE RICHARDSON-SELLERS & MURRAY BARTLETT in Nine Perfect Strangers. (Disney/Reiner Bajo)

Nine Perfect Strangers Filming Locations

Of course, there’s Zauberwald, but lots of additional locations crop up in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2. ‘We ended up choosing a lot of our main locations in the Austrian alps and close surroundings, because it was possible to embrace that they were there as written in the screenplay for the most part,’ Florian explains.

This includes ‘picturesque Alpine villages and breathtaking mountain vistas, grand historic buildings and modern wellness resorts, and locations in bustling metropolitan areas not far away,’ the location scout says.

Schloss Leopoldskron, Salzburg

‘For Zauberwald, in addition to the main property and several rooms recreated on our soundstages, we also shot at Schloss Leopoldskron, a magnificent palace in Salzburg,’ Florian says. Built in 1736 and hidden within 17 acres of manicured grounds, Schloss Leopoldskron is a hotel with 55 rooms and 12 suites. While there isn’t a spa, summer al fresco yoga sessions evoke the Nine Perfect Strangers vibe.

Hotel Krallerhof, Leogang

This is another filming location used to develop Zauberwald’s facilities in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 – specifically the property’s Atmosphere Spa. Juxtaposing the ‘magnificent historic architecture’ of that private alpine property with this more modern location evokes the otherworldly feeling guests experience at Zauberwald, Florian explains.

‘With the buildings’ iconic modern design blending into the breathtaking mountain vista and top-notch amenities, it is easy to immerse oneself in wellness and transformation,’ Florian says.

The real property is a holistic wellness resort with a specific focus on regeneration; we’re sure Masha would approve.

Gradonna Mountain Resort, Kals Großglockner

The cabins overlooking Zauberwald’s castle grounds were filmed at Gradonna Mountain Resort in Kals Großglockner. Situated at an impressive 1,500 metres above sea level, Gradonna epitomises the mountainous scenery we see in Nine Perfect Strangers. In the winter, it’s all about skiing, perched directly on the piste. Come summer, wellness is at the fore; think hikes, sauna, massages and spa time.

Hallstatt

‘The Alpine Village of Hallstatt is not far from Salzburg and also not a secret anymore to tourists from all over the world due to its scenic location and well-preserved architecture,’ Florian says. ‘And with those, it inspired us as well.

‘In the series, our strangers depart towards the retreat from this charming mountain village with a ride on its funicular railway,’ Florian says. This is a real funicular, but of course it doesn’t whisk real passengers off to the fictional Zauberwald. In reality, it ‘connects the shore of Lake Hallstatt with a glacial plateau above,’ Florian says.

Later, the strangers ‘have the chance to explore the picturesque alleyways, lakeside and historic houses of the village,’ Florian says. ‘It is all there in reality just as the script described it, so deciding for Hallstatt was much like a no-brainer.’

Obersee, Tyrol

‘Among the most memorable locations for me are the ones for which we had to travel just a bit further out into the remote snowy wilderness,’ Florian recalls. ‘For the frozen lake, where Masha takes David for an ice bath, we filmed scenes at Obersee located in the eastern part of Tyrol, right at the border to Italy.

‘Putting snowshoes on for a hike in that snowy expanse felt so invigorating and like an adventure in pure nature,’ Florian says. ‘Exactly what we wanted to embrace for those shots in the series.’

Where Else?

‘There are a lot more locations to discover, especially when we delve into the protagonists’ memories evoked by Masha’s protocols,’ Florian teases. ‘Be prepared to spot, for example, Prague, Berlin or New York, and maybe wonder with the strangers: “is this even real?”.’

LENA OLIN & NICOLE KIDMAN in Nine Perfect Strangers. (Disney/Reiner Bajo)

WATCH

Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 will launch with a double bill on Thursday 22 May 2025 on Prime Video in the UK. New episodes will then launch weekly until 2 July.

Read all about what to expect from the series here.