Unveiling the Behind-the-Scenes of Jury Duty: The Best Comedy Limited series on Amazon Prime

In 2023, the television world was graced with the intriguing miniseries Jury Duty. With its innovative storyline, the production quickly captured the attention of both audiences and critics, earning an Emmy nomination in the prestigious categories of Best Comedy Series and Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for James Marsden’s performance.

The story follows a jury selected to oversee a trial between a businesswoman (Whitney Rice as Jacquiline Hilgrove) and an employee (Ben Seaward as Trevor Morris). From the beginning, the audience is informed that the case is entirely fabricated and that everyone involved is an actor—except for Ronald Gladden.

The pre-selected cast consists of relatively unknown actors, except for James Marsden, who plays a parody of himself. Notable performances include Mekki Leeper as Noah Price, Edy Modica as Jeannie Abruzzo, David Brown as Todd Gregory, Cassandra Blair as Vanessa Jenkins, Susan Berger as Barbara Goldstein, and Ron Song as Ken Hyun.

The show's production announced the selection of several people to serve on a jury that would be filmed for a supposed documentary. This way, the volunteers were unaware of the true purpose, making the script feel more spontaneous. However, only one person was chosen for viewers to observe his reactions to a series of rather unusual events. The format resonated with audiences and highlighted the virtues and principles of the protagonist.

A fundamental element in the limited series' success is the meticulous selection of filming locations, with none standing out more than the Huntington Park Courthouse in Los Angeles. This location choice added authenticity to the narrative and proved essential in creating the series' unique atmosphere.

The Huntington Park Courthouse as the Central Setting

The Huntington Park Courthouse, with its traditional architecture and judicial atmosphere, became the visual epicenter of the story. The choice of this specific location significantly contributed to the realistic setting of the narrative, immersing viewers in an environment familiar to many, yet filled with rules and conventions.

The courthouse's architecture, with its hallways, waiting areas, and courtroom, provided the perfect backdrop for the complexities of the plot. Each scene within its walls came to life thanks to the authenticity of the location, adding layers of realism and intensity to the narrative. The site is located at Huntington Park Superior Court, 6548 Miles Ave, CA 90255, USA.

The Impact on the Viewer’s Experience

By using the Huntington Park Courthouse as the central setting, the production team of Jury Duty managed to immerse viewers in a unique way. The familiarity of the courtroom environment, combined with the ingenious twist of the plot, created a captivating contrast that kept audiences engaged.

Multiple cameras were placed in hidden or disguised locations to prevent Ronald from becoming suspicious. The production also conducted tests for the actors playing the other jurors, as well as rehearsals to adjust the storyline depending on whether events unfolded as planned or took unexpected turns.

The location choice was not limited to the courthouse interior. The surrounding areas and neighborhoods of Los Angeles played a crucial role in depicting events that unfolded outside the courtroom. The city's visual diversity enriched the production with intricate details, adding meaningful nuances to the overall experience.

Cinnamon & Sparrow Factory

In the fourth episode, the Jury Duty team visits the fictional Cinnamon & Sparrow factory, the setting of the supposed incident that serves as the basis for the trial. This is where the unfortunate employee, Trevor Morris (played by Ben Seaward), ruins a batch of T-shirts. According to available information, the "factory" was a warehouse located in the Nevin neighborhood of Los Angeles at 1617 E Adams Blvd, CA, USA.

Jury Hotel

During the jury’s sequestered stay, the so-called Valley Lodge is the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. In the fifth episode, Marsden and juror Ronald develop the character of Caleb, whom Marsden envisions for the fictional movie mentioned throughout the show.

Despite the fictional nature of the plot, the hotel is real and has a long history in Hollywood. Due to its proximity to the studios, it was known as a gathering spot for famous actors such as Clark Gable, Bette Davis, John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, and Doris Day, among others. The hotel's address is 12825 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA, USA.

Margaritaville

After the group tour of the fictional Cinnamon & Sparrow factory, the jury has dinner at Margaritaville, located in Universal CityWalk. With 28 locations across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, the restaurant and bar offer a familiar atmosphere.

One of the funniest moments in the miniseries takes place here when the awkward juror Todd Gregory (played by David Brown) unintentionally offends customers due to a word on his T-shirt, while his fellow jurors get a little carried away with their drinks.

If you’d like to visit the filming location, head to Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA, USA.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video