‘Graves’ returns to film second season in N.M.
Graves, the political comedy series starring Nick Nolte, will return to Santa Fe and surrounding areas this week to begin filming its second season for the premium cable channel EPIX. Graves follows a fictional former Republican U.S. president, Richard Graves, played by Nolte, who in his retirement comes to reflect on his time in office with regret. The character was viewed by many critics as an analogue for Ronald Reagan.
“Being a politically oriented show, it’s maybe of natural interest to people in Santa Fe to begin with — and particularly now,” said Eric Witt, director of the Santa Fe Film Office. “But we’re just happy to have ’em back.
Co-stars include Sela Ward, Skylar Astin and Heléne Yorke.
The 10-episode second season, according to a news release from the New Mexico Film Office, will see Graves “turning inward in search of the man he used to be before he was president.”
“Getting to season two is never easy — and when you get renewed, your chances of continuing for multiple seasons increase exponentially,” said Nick Maniatis, state film office director, in a statement.
Last year, Graves, which is set in Northern New Mexico, filmed in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Bernalillo and Rio Rancho, where the production was based. The production used a number of Santa Fe locations, including the downtown Plaza Cafe.
The show’s debut season earned fair reviews. The Los Angeles Times cited its “earnestly meaningful comedy” while calling the treatment of politics “loose and improbable and thin.”
The New York Times found its handling of a conservative politician’s late-in-life reformation “a little vague.”
“Don’t scrutinize this series too closely; just enjoy the performances,” critic Neil Genzlinger wrote, underlining Nolte’s turn in particular.
Nolte was nominated for best actor in a musical or comedy television series at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, losing to Donald Glover (Atlanta). It was the first Golden Globe nomination for EPIX.
The production will employ some 200 crew and 2,500 background talent from New Mexico, the state film office said. Filming will run through July.