HBO's 'DTF St. Louis' Lacks Authentic St. Louis Representation

The dark comedy series set in the Midwest fails to accurately depict the city it's named after.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:45am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes and high-contrast colors, conceptually representing the disconnect between the show's title and its actual depiction of St. Louis.The HBO series 'DTF St. Louis' fails to capture the essence of the city it's named after, leaving local viewers disappointed by its lack of authentic representation.St. Louis Today

The new HBO mini-series 'DTF St. Louis' follows middle-aged friends Clark Forrest and Floyd Smernitch who work at a local news channel in suburban St. Louis and get involved in a scandalous affair. While the show promises a promising dark comedy with complex characters, it severely lacks authentic representation of the city it's named after. From filming in Atlanta instead of St. Louis, to featuring inaccurate regional details and restaurants, the series falls short in truly capturing the essence of the Gateway City.

Why it matters

As a region that often gets overlooked in mainstream media, any portrayal of the Midwest, and specifically St. Louis, is an opportunity to showcase the city's unique culture, landmarks, and local flavor. However, 'DTF St. Louis' misses the mark, leaving St. Louisans disappointed by the show's lack of genuine representation.

The details

Despite the show's title, 'DTF St. Louis' was actually filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, rather than the actual city of St. Louis. This decision, according to the show's creator Steven Conrad, was due to production costs. The show also features inaccurate details, such as characters visiting a Cardinals game in a stadium that doesn't resemble Busch Stadium, and dining at restaurants that are not commonly found in the St. Louis area, like Jamba Juice and Outback Steakhouse.

  • The mini-series 'DTF St. Louis' premiered on HBO in April 2026.
  • The final episode of the series is set to air in the coming weeks.

The players

Steven Conrad

The creator of the HBO mini-series 'DTF St. Louis'.

Jason Bateman

An actor who plays the character of Clark Forrest, one of the middle-aged friends at the center of the show's plot.

David Harbour

An actor who plays the character of Floyd Smernitch, Forrest's friend and co-worker.

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What they’re saying

“Whether a symptom of product placement or sheer laziness, neither is an excuse for overlooking the perfect opportunity to get funding from advertisers while still representing St. Louis: Panera Bread! Or, as WashU students may know it, St. Louis Bread Co.”

— Ava Ayad, Author

“From made-up streets and suburbs to calling Cardinals tickets 'expensive,' there's a whole host of miscellaneous facts about St. Louis that Conrad either forgot or didn't care to get right.”

— Ava Ayad, Author

What’s next

The final episode of 'DTF St. Louis' is set to air in the coming weeks, providing one last opportunity for the show to redeem itself and offer a more authentic portrayal of the city it's named after.

The takeaway

While 'DTF St. Louis' may be an entertaining dark comedy, its lack of genuine representation of the city it's set in is a missed opportunity to showcase the unique culture and identity of the Midwest, particularly St. Louis. This oversight leaves many local viewers disappointed and disconnected from a show that could have been a celebration of their hometown.