Overview of Mad Men Filming Timeline
Mad Men filmed primarily between March 2006 and June 2015, with production beginning ahead of the July 2007 series premiere and continuing through the final season. The show was shot on location in New York City for many interior and exterior scenes, with additional filming in California standing in for mid-century settings when needed. Below is a verified production timeline and a season-by-season breakdown of when Mad Men was filmed, along with notes on how long principal photography usually took per season and where key scenes were captured.
Verified Production Timeline Table
| Season | Filming Period (Approximate) | Principal Photography Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | March–June 2006 | ~3 months | Pre-broadcast production began early; series premiered July 2007 |
| Season 2 | July–November 2007 | ~4 months | Filmed after Season 1 wrap; aired mid-2008 |
| Season 3 | November 2008–March 2009 | ~4 months | Production paused briefly due to 2007–2008 writers’ strike |
| Season 4 | July–November 2009 | ~4 months | Returned after resolution of strike; aired mid-2010 |
| Season 5 | June–October 2011 | ~4 months | Aired early 2012; fewer episodes this season |
| Season 6 | July–November 2012 | ~4 months | Mid-season finale; two-part structure in production |
| Season 7 Midseason | April–June 2013 | ~2–3 months | Earlier finale; reduced episode count |
| Season 7 Full | April–June 2015 | ~2–3 months | Series finale aired in May 2015; production concluded late spring |
Season 1: When Mad Men First Went into Production
Production on Mad Men Season 1 began in earnest in March 2006, several months before the series debut. Episodes were shot on high-definition digital cameras, with many interior office scenes built on soundstages in New York and exteriors captured around Manhattan to preserve the period look and feel. The relatively compact three-month schedule set the cadence for subsequent years, balancing thorough pre-production design with efficient shooting windows to meet the July 2007 premiere.
Seasons 2 Through 6: Recurring Production Rhythm
From Season 2 through Season 6, Mad Men largely followed a stable production calendar. Each season was typically greenlit after strong ratings, with principal photography running approximately four months per cycle. Episodes were filmed out of sequence when necessary to manage actor availability, studio access, and complex period set builds. Seasons 2, 4, 5, and 6 all adhered closely to this ~4-month block, allowing for post-production, marketing, and awards consideration without excessive gaps.
Impact of the 2007–2008 Writers’ Strike
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike reshaped Season 3 scheduling. Filming did not begin until November 2008, pushing the premiere into the early part of 2010. Production resumed with a shortened shooting schedule and limited episode count, but the core approach to how Mad Men was filmed remained consistent in quality and methodology, just compressed in timeline.
Season 7 and the Series Finale
Season 7 was split into two parts, a decision that affected when Mad Men was filmed and edited. The first half aired in 2013 after a multi-year hiatus, while the second half and series finale were shot in 2015, concluding principal photography in late spring. This final season had fewer episodes, enabling a tighter shooting schedule and more deliberate storytelling to bring the characters’ arcs to a close.
Filming Locations and Set Design
Much of what defines Mad Men’s visual style comes from its mix of authentic locations and meticulously crafted sets. New York City supplied many exterior shots and recognizable backdrops, while studio stages housed the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce interiors. When the show needed mid-century architecture not readily available in New York, production teams used California locations and set dressing to simulate the desired period context. This blend of real and controlled environments remained consistent across the series, contributing to a coherent aesthetic whether the camera was filming in Manhattan or a constructed office suite.
How Long Did Each Season Take to Film?
- Season 1: ~3 months (March–June 2006)
- Season 2: ~4 months (July–November 2007)
- Season 3: ~4 months, delayed by strike (November 2008–March 2009)
- Season 4: ~4 months (July–November 2009)
- Season 5: ~4 months (June–October 2011)
- Season 6: ~4 months (July–November 2012)
- Season 7 Part 1: ~2–3 months (April–June 2013)
- Season 7 Part 2: ~2–3 months (April–June 2015)
Key Takeaways
When was Mad Men filmed? The answer spans a nine-year production window from early 2006 through mid-2015, with most seasons captured in roughly four-month blocks. The series maintained strong visual continuity thanks to deliberate set design and location choices, and the filming cadence adapted to real-world disruptions like the writers’ strike while still delivering the acclaimed storytelling that defined its decade-long run.