CBS Television Studios officials have notified the North Carolina Film Office that they intend to remain in North Carolina for filming of “Under the Dome’s” third season. The news came shortly after the CBS Television Network announced it had renewed the hit summer series.
“It is our pleasure to return to North Carolina for our third season of Under the Dome,” said Kevin Berg, Executive Vice President of Production for CBS Television Studios. “The film community in the state, and particularly in the greater Wilmington area, is simply outstanding.
“We want to thank Governor Pat McCrory, Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker, members of the newly formed Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the many behind-the-scenes people in Wilmington and the team at EUE/Screen Gems Studios for all their efforts to keep our series here,” continued Berg.
“We are thrilled that Under the Dome will be staying in North Carolina,” said Secretary Decker. “Our state’s beauty and strong film industry infrastructure definitely were a key in helping us keep this series home in North Carolina.”
“This a great win for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina,” said John Lassiter, chairman of the EDPNC. “The series will continue to have a positive financial impact on North Carolina’s economy. This is great news for the film industry and communities in our state. These are the kind of long running productions we hope to continue to attract to North Carolina.”
“Under the Dome” ranked as the summer’s top scripted series for the second straight year, with 11 million viewers in 2014. The series has filmed in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties since its infancy. In 2013, audit reports by the North Carolina Department of Revenue show the series had a direct in-state spend of more $33.3 million while employing a total of 1500 individuals. Audit figures for 2014 are not available at this time.
Season Two of the series is one of more than 60 productions that have filmed in North Carolina so far in 2014. Combined, these productions are estimated to have a direct in-state spend in excess of $300 million, according to the N.C. Film Office.
Filming of the third season is scheduled for first quarter of 2015.
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) officially began operations this week. The EDPNC works with the N.C. Department of Commerce to operate as the sales and marketing arm of the state, responsible for business recruitment, existing industry and small business support, import and export assistance, marketing, tourism, film and sports development.