New ‘Walking Dead’ offshoot to film in Virginia — Governor

A NEW spinoff of the hit AMC zombie series “The Walking Dead” will start filming its debut season in Virginia this summer, the state’s governor said on Monday.

In a statement, Gov Ralph Northam, D, said 10 episodes of the show will feature two young women coming of age in the wake of the zombie apocalypse depicted in “The Walking Dead,” an AMC ratings blockbuster now in its ninth season.

The show, the second AMC series to film in the state after the Revolutionary War spy drama “Turn,” will begin shooting in central Virginia this summer, according to Northam.

“We are delighted to welcome AMC back to Virginia,” Northam said in the statement. “The series will provide high-paying jobs for our skilled workers and will invite economic opportunity for Virginia businesses large and small. Uniquely, the series also brings with it a devoted global fan-base, creating immeasurable added value for the Commonwealth as the franchise’s powerful spotlight shines on Virginia.”

Film production brings more than $800 million to the Virginia economy, according to a statement from Brian Ball, the state’s secretary of commerce and trade, who valued the economic impact of “Turn” at more than US$200 million. The new series will also be eligible for a Virginia tax credit depending on how many local workers are hired.

Andy Edmunds, director of the Virginia Film Office, said in a statement that rural Senoia, Georgia, where “The Walking Dead” previously was filmed, enjoyed “explosive economic growth” after undead enthusiasts flocked to shooting locations.

“As home to the latest instalment, Virginia will have access to this built-in, passionate audience and a tremendous film tourism opportunity,” he said in a statement. — WP-Bloomberg