Vandergrift ‘sad’ as ‘Banshee’ ends its run
It’s one and done for Cinemax’s “Banshee” in Pittsburgh.
On Wednesday morning Cinemax confirmed “Banshee” will end its run after its upcoming fourth season, which premieres in January. “Banshee,” about an impostor sheriff in a small Pennsylvania town, produced its first three seasons in Charlotte, N.C., but moved to Western Pennsylvania for its fourth season, which is in production.
“It’s extremely sad,” said Nicole Basile of the Sweetlane Chocolate Shop on Grant Avenue in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County. “It’s been wonderful for the whole town, to have those guys come in every day.”
Sweetlane, established in 1947 by the family of Mrs. Basile’s husband, Pete, has been a popular hangout for the “Banshee” cast and crew since filming began in the spring. The production has a running tab there.
The shop is just down the street from a renovated JC Penney serving as the “Banshee Sheriff’s Department” and near other major buildings subbing for the fictional town of Banshee.
News that the show will not have a fifth season quickly spread around town, said Steve DelleDonne, borough secretary.
“Everybody here is kind of down in the dumps,” he said. “We’ve all been on the Internet, reading about it.”
Although locations in other Alle-Kiski towns have been used in the production, Vandergrift figures most prominently. Parts of the feature film “I Am Number Four” were shot there in 2010.
Mrs. Basile said that the production, which is scheduled to shoot in Vandergrift for at least another two weeks, will be fondly remembered. But its leaving won’t be the end.
“We will survive. We’ve gotten exposure. It’s a great little town, especially for any future movies or whatever. “They know we’re here now.” “Banshee” delivered strong ratings for Cinemax in its third season that began airing in January.
Series co-creator Jonathan Tropper said a fifth season was considered but ruled out.
“I always said that when the story was told, it would be time to move on, and that time has come,” he said in a statement, thanking Cinemax executives for supporting the creative decision to wrap up the show.
“We are sad to learn that they are not returning with ‘Banshee,’” said Pittsburgh Film Office director Dawn Keezer. “HBO has loved their experience in Pittsburgh and will hopefully be returning with future work shortly.”
TVLine.com broke the news late Tuesday and suggested producers have known it was the show’s final season for some time and were able to write toward a conclusion.
“Banshee” is one of two series in production locally. WGN America’s “Outsiders,” a first-year series also due to air next year, will film in Pittsburgh through September.