One of the most memorable sequences in Netflix’s I Will Find You unfolds amid the bright lights and constant motion of New York City’s iconic Times Square. While the scene lasts only a short time on screen, it carries significant emotional weight for the story’s main characters and almost never made it into the final series.

According to bestselling author and executive producer Harlan Coben, filming in one of the busiest public spaces in the world presented enormous logistical challenges. At one stage, he even questioned whether the production team would be able to complete the sequence at all.

Fortunately, the filmmakers found an innovative solution, resulting in a scene that not only survived production but also became one of the series’ defining moments.

A Location That Seemed Impossible to Film

I Will Find You, currently one of Netflix’s most popular thriller series, was shot extensively on location throughout New York, giving the adaptation an authentic atmosphere that mirrors the tension of Harlan Coben’s novel.

Among all the real-world locations used during filming, however, none proved more intimidating than Times Square.

Speaking about the production, Coben admitted that he initially struggled to imagine how the crew could successfully shoot in such a crowded environment.

Arriving on set late one evening, he looked around at the thousands of people still filling the famous intersection and wondered whether filming would be delayed indefinitely.

Even though production was scheduled to begin close to midnight, Times Square remained packed with tourists, commuters, performers, and visitors enjoying New York’s nightlife.

Looking at the scene, Coben recalled asking showrunner Robert Hull how filming could possibly work under those circumstances.

Against all expectations, the crew found a way.

No Extras Were Needed

Instead of attempting to empty Times Square or fill it with hired background actors, the production adopted a much simpler strategy.

They filmed among the real crowds.

Hull later shared a humorous moment from the set when someone observed how realistic the extras appeared.

His response was immediate.

Those people were not actors at all.

They were ordinary pedestrians going about their evening.

Rather than trying to control one of the busiest locations in America, the filmmakers embraced its natural energy, allowing unsuspecting members of the public to become part of the visual backdrop.

This decision added a level of authenticity that would have been almost impossible to recreate inside a studio.

The overwhelming movement, flashing advertisements, and constant stream of people all became genuine elements of David Burroughs’ experience.

Another Unexpected Obstacle

Crowds were not the only challenge the production encountered.

Every night at midnight, Times Square participates in an event known as the “Midnight Moment.”

During this daily installation, the enormous digital billboards surrounding the square simultaneously display specially commissioned artwork instead of their usual advertisements.

Because every screen changes at exactly the same time, the production team could not begin filming until the event had concluded.

As a result, the cast and crew waited patiently before finally receiving the opportunity to capture the sequence they had planned.

Although the delay added another obstacle to an already demanding shoot, Hull later explained that the location justified every complication.

Why Times Square Was the Perfect Setting

For Hull, Times Square represented much more than a recognizable New York landmark.

It symbolized David Burroughs’ emotional state.

Throughout I Will Find You, David is forced to rebuild his understanding of the world after years behind bars for a crime he insists he did not commit.

Having spent so much time isolated from society, suddenly finding himself surrounded by one of the world’s busiest public spaces creates an overwhelming sensory experience.

Hull explained that the creative team intentionally wanted David to be immersed in complete chaos.

The endless lights, giant screens, constant traffic, loud music, and thousands of strangers create an environment that feels almost suffocating.

Rather than providing comfort, the city becomes another obstacle David must overcome.

According to Hull, the sequence also highlights Sam Worthington’s performance, allowing viewers to observe David processing every sound, every movement, and every unfamiliar sensation without relying heavily on dialogue.

Simply watching the character absorb the environment communicates more than words ever could.

Sam Worthington on David’s Emotional Overload

Sam Worthington, who plays David Burroughs, agreed that the setting helped define his character’s emotional journey.

The actor explained that even longtime New York residents can find Times Square overwhelming because of its relentless pace and constant stimulation.

If someone who knows the city well can feel overloaded there, Worthington argued, the experience would be dramatically more intense for someone emerging from years of imprisonment.

David has spent much of his adult life confined within prison walls.

His senses have adapted to routine, predictability, and isolation.

Suddenly stepping into Times Square exposes him to an explosion of light, noise, movement, and human interaction.

Worthington described the experience almost as a physical illness.

Rather than simply feeling surprised, David experiences a deeply visceral reaction, struggling to process everything happening around him.

The actor believed that this overwhelming environment perfectly reflected David’s fragile emotional condition as he continues searching desperately for answers about his missing son.

Rachel Becomes the Hero

Worthington also pointed out an interesting reversal in the relationship between David and journalist Rachel Mills.

Although David is the central figure throughout the series, the Times Square sequence temporarily shifts the balance between the two characters.

Normally audiences expect the protagonist to lead every situation.

Instead, David becomes vulnerable.

Worthington jokingly described his character as the “damsel in distress.”

Unable to cope with the sensory overload surrounding him, David relies on Rachel to guide him safely through the crowds.

Rachel becomes the calm, composed figure capable of keeping the investigation moving while David struggles emotionally.

This reversal demonstrates that their partnership depends equally on both characters rather than portraying one as constantly rescuing the other.

Britt Lower Remembers Something Much Simpler

While the scene carries significant symbolic meaning within the story, actress Britt Lower remembers the demanding overnight shoot rather differently.

Reflecting on the experience, she admitted that her strongest memory had very little to do with filmmaking.

Instead, she simply remembers feeling extremely hungry.

After spending hours filming in the middle of Times Square late at night, Lower joked that all she wanted was a burger.

She laughed that the countless digital advertisements surrounding the square probably made the craving even stronger.

Given the enormous number of food commercials displayed throughout Times Square, it became nearly impossible to ignore.

Her lighthearted recollection provided a humorous contrast to the emotional intensity experienced by David within the story.

A Scene Worth Fighting For

Looking back, both Coben and Hull agree that the difficulties involved in filming Times Square ultimately paid off.

Rather than choosing an easier location or recreating the environment digitally, the production captured the authentic atmosphere of one of New York’s most recognizable landmarks.

The decision strengthened both the realism of the series and David Burroughs’ emotional journey.

Every flashing billboard, passing pedestrian, and blaring sound contributes to the audience’s understanding of how disoriented and vulnerable David feels after leaving prison.

Without lengthy explanations, the location itself tells part of the story.

For viewers, the sequence may simply appear to be another beautifully filmed New York scene.

For the creators, however, it represents one of the production’s greatest logistical achievements and one of its most meaningful storytelling moments.

In the end, what nearly became an impossible shoot evolved into one of I Will Find You’s most powerful sequences—a reminder that sometimes the most challenging scenes to create become the ones audiences remember most.