On location in Glencoe

The stars were out in the daytime in downtown Glencoe on Thursday.

Celebrity actors Jennifer Connelly and Joel Edgerton were on hand much of the day outside of The Grand Food Center to film a scene for the Apple TV show “Dark Matter.”

Show publicist Ernie Malik told The Record that the scene was for an episode in Season 2 of the science-fiction series, and Season 1 of “Dark Matter” was also shot primarily in and around Chicagoland, including in Glencoe.

In the scene filmed Thursday, couple Jason and Daniela Dessen (Edgerton’s and Connelly’s characters, respectively), who are in a hurry, pull into an alley near a local grocery store to pick up their son, Charlie (played by Oakes Fegley), before screeching off. And if you want more than that, you’ll have to tune into Season 2, Malik said.

The days production ran from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Onlookers could get the best glimpse of the lights, cameras and action from Hazel Avenue in front of The Grand, but production trucks were parked all around Vernon Avenue, Village Court and Southway Court.

Connelly, Edgerton and Fegley were also present, as well as stunt doubles and dozens of production team members. Connelly, 54, is best known for “A Beautiful Mind,” a film for which she won an Academy Award for best supporting actress. She’s also starred in feature films like “Blood Diamond” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” as well as the television series “Snowpiercer.” Edgerton, 50, is best known for playing Owen Lars in Star Wars’ films “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith.” He’s also appeared in the movies “Zero Dark Thirty” and “The Boys in The Boat.”

The Village of Glencoe’s Communications Manager Sammy Hanzel said the Village does not issue formal permits for filming but takes requests and then notifies neighbors (businesses and residents) to the location.

A camera-equipped vehicle on the set of “Dark Matter” on March 27 in Glencoe.

Malik said he didn’t know exactly why The Grand in Glencoe was chosen, but said it’s all about the “look” of a location, and in this case, an independent grocer in a quaint downtown fit the bill.

“Dark Matter” is based on a best-selling novel from Blake Crouch, who also created the TV program. The story follows Chicago physicist Jason Dessen who is pulled into an alternate dimension of his life and must fight his way back to his family.

Season 1 debuted on Apple TV in May 2024. Malik estimates Season 2 will premiere in 2026.

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