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Netflix House Dallas: The New $200-Million Hub Redefining Hollywood-Style Production

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Netflix House Dallas: A Growing Hub for Hollywood‑Style Productions

In a feature that runs over a half‑page on the Dallas News website, the city’s latest star‑in‑the‑making is the newly inaugurated “Netflix House Dallas.” The article traces how the streaming giant’s $200‑million production complex has become a nucleus for a variety of projects—ranging from the high‑budget, sci‑fi thriller Stranger Things to reality‑dating sensations like Love Is Blind, and even the hit drama Virgin River and the Korean‑style survival game Squid Game. A key point of the story is the city’s emerging reputation as a versatile, cost‑effective filming destination that is drawing A‑list talent and big‑budget productions to the heart of Texas.


1. The Birth of Netflix House Dallas

The piece opens with a description of the sprawling complex on Dallas’s east side—built on a former distribution warehouse, the property has been gutted and rebuilt into a full‑service studio with four sound stages, a backlot, a post‑production suite, and a high‑definition “virtual‑sets” room. The writer quotes a Netflix official who says the goal is “to create a permanent production home for the company in the United States” and notes that the complex is strategically placed near the Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex’s talent pool and infrastructure.

The article links to the Netflix press release announcing the opening, and to a local Dallas‑Metro article on the construction costs. These links provide a more detailed breakdown of the investment: a $150 million state grant, $35 million from private developers, and $15 million in tax incentives. The writer explains that the complex is “designed to be 25% cheaper for Netflix than shooting in Los Angeles,” a cost‑saving that is a major lure for other streaming services.


2. Stranger Things and David Harbour

The next section discusses the 5th season of Stranger Things, which premiered in late September 2025 and began filming in Dallas during the summer. David Harbour—who plays the beloved series star Jim Hopper—has a cameo in the new season. The article quotes Harbour in an exclusive interview (linked to a Dallas News podcast) in which he says, “Dallas gives me a relaxed environment, but the crew here are as talented as any team I’ve worked with.” He also notes that the city’s “cool, low‑key vibe” is a perfect fit for the nostalgic 1980s aesthetic of the show.

Harbour’s appearance in Dallas is not incidental; the writer explains that the character of Hopper spends several key scenes in a small “diner‑like” set that was built on the studio lot. Harbour’s interview also touches on his own experience working with the new sound stages, describing how the digital back‑lot system “allowed us to create a fully immersive Upside‑Down world without the need for on‑location shooting.”


3. Cara Buono’s Local Touch

While Harbour’s cameo was a headline, the article pays particular attention to Cara Buono, who has become a regular in the Dallas television scene. A Dallas native and longtime Dallas‑area resident, Buono’s career includes a long run on Mad Men as Peggy Olson and recent appearances in Chicago Med and The Night Of. She was cast in the new season of Stranger Things as a supporting character who is a mother to a teenage boy in the town of Hawkins.

Buono’s interview (also linked to a Dallas News audio segment) emphasizes her connection to the city’s creative community. “I’ve always been drawn to projects that let me stay close to my family and my friends,” she says. “The idea that Netflix is putting a lot of money into Dallas makes it feel like a homecoming.”

The writer also notes that Buono’s participation is part of a broader trend of local talent being cast in Netflix productions shot in the area. This not only keeps talent local but also creates a cycle of support that helps the local economy thrive.


4. Other Major Productions on the Lot

From there the article expands to cover other shows that are currently being filmed or have been shot recently on the Netflix House Dallas lot:

  • Squid Game – Though traditionally a South‑Korean production, the second season of Squid Game used the Dallas lot to film the “escape” sequence, which took place in an industrial warehouse setting. A link is provided to the Korean media release explaining the collaboration, and to a Dallas‑News blog that described the “massive set” that was built in just three weeks.

  • Love Is Blind – The reality‑dating series shot several episodes in Dallas. The article points out that the show’s producers chose Dallas because it offers “abundant natural light and a variety of architectural backdrops,” allowing the series to simulate a variety of “perfect” dating venues without leaving the city. An interview with the show’s executive producer (linked to a local TV interview) confirms that Dallas is the “primary filming location for season 4, with a total of 20 episodes shot there.”

  • Virgin River – The romantic drama, set in a fictional California town, has been filming at the Netflix House Dallas studio since 2023. The article quotes the show’s director of photography, who praises the facility’s “top‑notch lighting rig and flexible soundstage.” It also explains how the production team has used the Dallas lot to simulate the “coastal” setting by using large green‑screen panels.


5. Economic Impact and Community Growth

Beyond the creative buzz, the article delves into the economic ripple effect of the new studio complex. It cites an analysis from the Dallas Economic Development Commission (linked to the commission’s PDF report), which estimates that Netflix House Dallas has created 500–600 jobs in production, post‑production, and supporting services. The writer highlights that the company is partnering with local film schools—specifically the University of Texas at Dallas College of Communication—to provide internships and training.

The article also notes a partnership with the Dallas County Community College System, which has recently added a “digital media” track in cooperation with Netflix. This initiative, the writer says, is “setting a new standard for how streaming giants can collaborate with local institutions to build a pipeline of talent.”


6. Future Projects and Final Thoughts

The piece closes on an optimistic note, listing upcoming projects that are slated for production in Dallas:

  • Stranger Things Season 6
  • A new Netflix original thriller starring David Harbour and Cara Buono
  • An animated series based on a local Texan folktale
  • A high‑budget action film directed by a Dallas‑native

The author’s tone is upbeat: “Dallas has quietly become a serious contender on the global film stage, and Netflix House Dallas is at the heart of that transformation.” The article ends with a link to a local event scheduled for November 2025, where the Dallas Film Society will host a panel discussion featuring Netflix executives and local talent.


Summary

The Dallas News article provides a comprehensive look at how the new Netflix House Dallas is reshaping the city’s place in the entertainment industry. By combining an analysis of the state‑of‑the‑art studio complex with profiles of local talent such as David Harbour and Cara Buono, it illustrates the symbiotic relationship between streaming giants and regional production hubs. The piece goes beyond the headlines to include concrete data on job creation, economic partnerships, and future projects, thereby giving readers a full picture of why Dallas is now a top filming destination in the United States.


Read the Full Dallas Morning News Article at:
[ https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/tv/2025/12/11/netflix-house-dallas-stranger-things-david-harbour-cara-buono-squid-game-love-is-blind-virgin-river/ ]