Don's Diner to be featured in Showtime series filming in Pittsburgh

Don’s Diner, a fixture of Pittsburgh’s Woods Run neighborhood, is being featured in a new Showtime series called “Rust” set in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The series stars veteran actor Jeff Daniels.

The 25-year-old eatery is not only known for its food but is a regular Hollywood fixture when it comes to appearing in movies and network TV shows.

Over the years Don’s Diner has been a part of some 10 productions, according to owner Marcie Kemmler. They include the movies “Warrior” and “American Pastoral” and the TV series “Mindhunter.”

A Lifetime movie, a music video, and a college documentary have also shot scenes in the diner.

“A scout from the South Side had come in and said you’re on the list,” Kemmler told WPXI-TV, explaining how the Showtime production crew found Don’s Diner. “They loved the structure, they loved the bridges, the trains, the lots where they can set up their stuff.”

The Showtime crew set up for the shoot a few months ago, replacing some lights and a doorknob in the process, and filmed scenes in the diner this week, Kemmler said.

“It’s amazing how they transform it,” Kemmler told WPXI. “The size of this place doesn’t matter. When you see it on TV it looks 10 times bigger. I love it!”

Kemmler described the filming as being chaotic but said the benefits in terms of publicity for her business far outweigh any inconvenience.

“It’s really going to help us when people see us on the screen,” she told the station. “People will say, ‘Oh I want to go there. I know where that’s at.’”

It’s a welcome boost for the business, a two-person operation run by Kemmler and her stepdad.

They haven’t been able to afford paying anyone else during the pandemic.

State covid-19 restrictions have limited the total number of customers to just six people at a time.

“I just can’t thank them enough for always sticking with us through these rough times and I really appreciate everybody,” said Kemmler.

About the show

Daniels stars in “Rust” as Del Harris, police chief in a fictional southwestern Pennsylvania town.

After his girlfriend’s former high school football star son is accused of killing an ex-cop, Harris must decide how far he will go to protect the accused.

The series is based on author Philipp Meyer’s 2009 novel of the same name, which is set in the fictional Mon Valley town of Buell, Fayette County.

Maura Tierney (“The Affair”) plays Grace Poe, a dress factory union organizer and Harris’ love interest. Alex Neustaedter (“Colony”) plays Grace’s son, Billy.

“American Rust” is expected to film locally through mid-August and air on Showtime later in 2021.