12 Wilmington-made TV shows to stream while we wait for the industry to resume production
With the Writers Guild of America recently ending its strike and coming to terms with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, there is suddenly light at the end of the tunnel for the current shutdown of film and TV production in Wilmington and nationwide, which has been in effect since May.
And while the Screen Actors Guild, which is also on strike against the AMPTP, doesn't seem super-close to cutting a deal, once the actors' union does, production is likely to ramp back up rapidly in Wilmington and elsewhere similar to after the COVID shutdown.
With only about a half-dozen Wilmington-made projects currently waiting for release -- movies including "The Boys of Summer" and "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat," and the third season of TV series "Hightown" -- let's take a look at some TV series shot in Wilmington currently on streaming, and that might tide you over until some fresh, Port-City-produced content comes our way again.
'Hightown'
While we wait on the third season of this crime drama, which shot here back in 2022, to hit Starz, why not catch up on (or revisit) the first two seasons? It's a good, gritty watch, with Monica Raymund playing a substance-addled agent for the National Marine Fisheries Service who gets drawn into a murder investigation. Season one was shot in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where the show is set, and season two, which features an off-the-hook Luis Guzmán as an underworld crime figure, shot in Wilmington.
Port City TV 'Hightown' becomes latest Wilmington-shot TV show to make its debut
'Welcome to Flatch'
Not a lot of folks watched this quirky comedy mockumentary about life in a small town (it shot in Burgaw). But "Welcome to Flatch," which is admittedly an acquired taste, actually has some pretty inspired moments. Season one takes a while to get in the groove, but "Flatch" hit its stride in season two thanks to the addition of Jaime Pressly ("My Name Is Earl") as Barb Flatch, a woman who moves back her hometown after a stint in the big city.
You can stream season one on Prime Video, and season two is available on several platforms, including Apple TV and Vudu. In May, Deadline reported that a decision on whether to give "Flatch" a third season would come after the strikes are settled.
Wilmington TV: Quirky humor continues in new season of 'Welcome to Flatch' but so do low ratings
'Florida Man' and 'Echoes'
Two Wilmington-shot shows that you can watch on Netflix are probably best classified as "guilty pleasures." Both "Echoes," about adult twin sisters who occasionally swap lives, and "Florida Man," about a cop-turned-mobster trying to find the runaway girlfriend of his boss, are both outrageous enough that you'll be shaking your head even as you continue watching. Plenty of local scenery, and Wilmington actors, in both shows.
'Florida Man': Popular and 'absurd' Netflix show loaded with Wilmington locations, actors
'George & Tammy'
Emmy-nominated country music mini-series about the tumultuous relationship between George Jones and Tammy Wynette is still on Showtime and available via Paramount+.
Michael Shannon, who played Jones, was nominated for Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, and Jessica Chastain, who played Wynette, was nominated for Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. "George & Tammy" was also nominated for cinematography and for period costumes.
George & Tammy: Wilmington-shot television series snags four Emmy Award nominations
'The Summer I Turned Pretty'
OK, chances are that, if you care, you've already watched "The Summer I Turned Pretty" at least once, but this is just a reminder that the first two seasons of the teen drama, which is a visual showcase for Wilmington, are available on Prime Video. Still a pretty good chance that the show's third season, which has already been approved, shoots in Wilmington eventually, though nothing official has been announced yet.
Port City TV: Second season of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' is filled with Wilmington-area locations
'One Tree Hill' and 'Dawson's Creek'
What more can I say besides, these are The Big Two when it comes to long-running teen dramas filmed in Wilmington. "One Tree Hill" is on Hulu, Max and several other streaming services. "Dawson's Creek" is on Prime Video and Hulu, but if you want to watch it on Max, "Dawson's Creek" will be gone after Oct. 31.
'Matlock'
Think "Matlock" is too old to be on streaming? That's where you're wrong. The detective mystery starring Andy Griffith shot its final three seasons in Wilmington in 1993 and '94, and you can watch it on Prime Video and a few other services, including Sling.
'Eastbound & Down'
The raunchy comedy starring Danny McBride as disgraced Major Leaguer Kenny Powers has all four of its seasons on Max. Plenty of Wilmington locations to see, including downtown bar The Blue Post as Powers' favorite watering hole, Shaboom's.
'Under the Dome'
The series based on Stephen King's massive sci-fi novel about a small town (Chester's Mill in the show, Burgaw in real life) that is sealed off from the rest of the world by a giant dome got off to a wonderful start in its first season, but kind of went off the rails for its last two. It's got its moments, though, and some great performances, particularly by Dean Norris as the villainous James "Big Jim" Rennie. Watch on Paramount+, Prime Video and other services.
'American Gothic'
Gotta go way back for this dark, Sam Raimi-produced drama, which shot in Wilmington and only lasted one season in 1995. Still, it's a cult favorite in some corners. Watch on Paramount+, Apple TV, Prime Video and a few other services.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 12 TV shows made in Wilmington NC on streaming services
