Written by Tom Deehan on Jan 2, 2018. Posted in On Location / Production News

True Detective season three to film locations in Arkansas

The third season of HBO’s high-budget crime series, True Detective, will utilise locations throughout Northwest Arkansas. Created by Nic Pizzolatto and produced by Anonymous Content, True Detective is expected to incur a local spend of USD40-80 million.

Commenting on the news, Governor Asa Hutchinson states: “we’re thrilled HBO chose to film the series in Arkansas. This is a testament to the dedicated teamwork across state agencies and communities to position the state as a choice place to do business. The beauty of the state, the skilled and quality talent available, along with the support provided by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, made Northwest Arkansas an easy choice.”

HBO’s Executive Vice President of Production, Bruce Richmond adds: “the co-operation, support and enthusiasm of Governor Hutchison and his team, the AEDC, the mayor and City of Fayetteville, and Christopher Crane of the Arkansas Film Commission has been extraordinary and instrumental in allowing us to bring the highly anticipated third instalment of True Detective to Arkansas.”

Operating as an anthology series, the first and second seasons of True Detective were filmed in Louisiana and Los Angeles respectively. The new season will star Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) and Carmen Ejogo (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them).

True Detective marks one of the first high-profile productions to shoot in Arkansas in recent years as the state has struggled to compete with other major production hubs throughout the country.

Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Mike Preston notes: “this is the largest and most expensive production we’ve ever had in the state. With an estimated year from start to finish, we know that local businesses and vendors will enjoy a boom from the production.”

Arkansas currently provides a 20% tax rebate to productions that incur a minimum local spend of USD500,000. An additional 10% can be applied to salaries relating to Arkansas residents who are employed in below-the-line roles.