Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Studios served as the principal filming location for the NBC television series Quincy, M.E. (1976–1983). Located in Universal City, California, the studio lot provided both the sound stages and backlot streets used to recreate a wide range of Los Angeles settings featured throughout the show.
Role in Quincy, M.E.
Production on Quincy, M.E. was centered at **Stage 25** on the Universal Studios lot, where the main sets — including the Coroner’s Office, Quincy’s boat interior, and Danny’s Place — were built. Exterior scenes were often filmed on Universal’s iconic backlot, which offered adaptable street façades for residential, commercial, and municipal locations.
Key Locations on the Lot
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage 25 | Main soundstage for interior sets (Coroner’s Office, boat, lab, tavern) |
| New York Street | Used for urban street scenes, press events, and nighttime investigations |
| Colonial Street | Appeared as suburban neighborhoods in multiple episodes |
| Denver Street | Often served as LAPD exteriors or apartment buildings |
| Courthouse Square | Featured in episodes involving legal or civic storylines |
| Brownstone Street | Used for East Coast-style scenes and urban alleyways |
Studio Backlot Use
Universal’s backlot was prized for its flexibility. Production teams could quickly redress building exteriors or shift from downtown to residential settings within a day. The curved architecture of **New York Street** and **Colonial Street** made it easy to simulate large cityscapes or continuous alleys on screen.
Relationship with Universal Television
Universal Television — a division of Universal Studios — served as the production company behind Quincy, M.E.. Many other NBC series of the era, including *Columbo*, *The Rockford Files*, and *Emergency!*, were also filmed at Universal using similar backlot resources and soundstages.