New ‘George & Tammy’ limited series was filmed in NC. Here’s how to watch.

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When the highly anticipated limited series chronicling the relationship and careers of country music stars George Jones and Tammy Wynette premieres Sunday, viewers in North Carolina may recognize familiar settings and faces.

“George & Tammy,” a six-part series, stars Oscar winner Jessica Chastain as Wynette and Michael Shannon as Jones, along with an impressive ensemble cast of other recognizable and accomplished actors.

The show chronicles Wynette and Jones’ “complicated-but-enduring relationship” as a country music power couple, which “inspired some of the most iconic music of all time.”

The series was filmed in Wilmington beginning last December. Production was primarily based at Dark Horse Studios, with some stage space used at EUE/Screen Gems Studios and on-location spots around the coastal city also making cameos. The series was awarded funds for production expenses as part of the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant rebate program.

“George & Tammy” will premiere on Showtime and the Paramount Network Sunday night before moving exclusively to Showtime.

Before the series premiere, we have more about the show’s North Carolina connections, plus information on the cast and how to watch.

Here’s what to know.

Filmed in NC, other ties to state

“George & Tammy” was one of 71 productions to file registration paperwork for film activity in North Carolina last year, and one of 25 productions to be awarded future rebates for production expenses as part of the state Film and Entertainment Grant program, according to a March news release from the state film office.

The Film and Entertainment Grant, a scaled-back successor to the state’s previous tax credit-based film incentive program, offers productions a 25% rebate on money spent directly in the state.

A production crew films a scene for “George and Tammy,” a television series about country music stars George Jones and Tammy Wynette, played by Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, far left, in downtown Wilmington, N.C. on Friday, March 18, 2022.
A production crew films a scene for “George and Tammy,” a television series about country music stars George Jones and Tammy Wynette, played by Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, far left, in downtown Wilmington, N.C. on Friday, March 18, 2022.

Collectively, productions last year spent more than $416 million in the state, the film office’s March release said. That was a single-year record for in-state spending by productions in North Carolina — though, when adjusted for inflation, the investment total was roughly equal to the state’s previous record, which was set in 2012, when “Iron Man 3” and other productions invested $373 million in the state.

“George & Tammy” was “expected to have a direct in-state spend in excess of $48 million,” Guy Gaster, director of the N.C. Film Office, told The News & Observer in an email.

The series filmed both in-studio and on-location around Wilmington. Viewers may recognize Thalian Hall and The Rusty Nail, two of the downtown Wilmington locations that were used for filming.

Viewers should also keep an eye — and ear — out for Chatham County Line, the enduring, real-life North Carolina band that formed about two decades ago. Band members Dave Wilson, John Teer, Dan Hall and Greg Readling appear in the series as various members of The Nashville A-Team, a session group that backed popular singers between the 1950s-’70s.

“We are certainly excited to see the show on the screen and reflect the work of the many North Carolinians who were part of the crew and efforts behind the camera,” Gaster told The N&O.

Michael Shannon (left) as George Jones and Jessica Chastain as Tammy Wynette in GEORGE & TAMMY.
Michael Shannon (left) as George Jones and Jessica Chastain as Tammy Wynette in GEORGE & TAMMY.

Cast of ‘George & Tammy’

“George & Tammy” includes an “impressive,” all-star cast. Here’s the rundown of who’s playing who:

Jessica Chastain stars as Tammy Wynette. Chastain, also known for her roles in “Zero Dark Thirty” and “The Help,” earlier this year won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her leading role as Tammy Faye Bakker in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” which was filmed in Charlotte.

Michael Shannon stars as George Jones. Shannon is a two-time Academy Award nominee whose acting credits include “The Shape of Water” and “Knives Out.”

Michael Shannon (left) as George Jones and Jessica Chastain as Tammy Wynette in GEORGE & TAMMY.
Michael Shannon (left) as George Jones and Jessica Chastain as Tammy Wynette in GEORGE & TAMMY.

Steve Zahn plays George Richey, Tammy Wynette’s final husband and manager. Among his many other acting credits, Zahn recently starred in the first season of HBO’s “White Lotus,” playing Mark Mossbacher opposite Connie Britton.

Kelly McCormack plays Sheila Richey, George Richey’s former wife and one-time friend and confidante of Wynette. McCormack recently played Jess in Amazon Prime’s “A League of Their Own,” a series adaptation of the 1992 film of the same name.

Walton Goggins plays Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery, a songwriter and collaborator of George Jones. Goggins’ acting credits include “The Righteous Gemstones,” “Justified” and “The Shield.”

Pat Healy plays Don Chapel, Wynette’s second husband and collaborator. Healy’s acting credits include “Better Caul Saul” and “Station 19.”

David Wilson Barnes plays Billy Sherrill, record producer and songwriter. Barnes appeared in HBO’s “Perry Mason” series in 2020.

Katy Mixon as Jan Smith, a makeup and hair artist who becomes one of Wynette’s closest friends. Among other roles, Mixon is known for her lead role in ABC’s “American Housewife” sitcom.

Jessica Chastain as Tammy Wynette in GEORGE & TAMMY.
Jessica Chastain as Tammy Wynette in GEORGE & TAMMY.

How to watch ‘George & Tammy’

“George & Tammy” premieres Sunday, Dec. 4, at 9 p.m. The first episode will air on both Showtime and the Paramount Network.

The remaining episodes will be available exclusively on Showtime.

Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime bundle subscribers will have early streaming and on-demand access to new episodes on Fridays.

The episodes will debut on-air on Showtime Sundays at 9 p.m.