The HBO Max drama American Blue has begun filming the pilot for a series starring Milo Ventimiglia and directed by David Ayer. Much of the location filming is taking place in the Joliet area for the next two and a half weeks.
If the pilot moves forward to a full series order, episodes are expected to begin filming this summer.
Production offices and interior sets are based at Cinespace Studios’ Kedzie campus.
American Blue is set in Joliet and follows Brian “Milk” Milkovich (Ventimiglia), a disgraced hometown cop who returns seeking redemption while helping rebuild a beleaguered police department.
Joliet has long served as a recognizable filming backdrop, with the historic Joliet Correctional Center featured in productions including The Blues Brothers and Fox’s Prison Break, along with the city’s downtown area and landmarks such as the Rialto Square Theatre.
Ventimiglia, best known for his long-running role on This Is Us, leads the project and also holds a co-executive producer credit.
Creative and producing credits on the pilot include writer and executive producer Jeremy Carver, director and executive producer David Ayer, and executive producers Brian Udovich and Neil Reynolds, with Russ Cundiff listed as producer. Richard Lederer serves as line producer.
Illinois has been drawing the attention of television series looking for a home base, with offering a 35% tax credit on qualified in-state spending, with additional uplifts that can bring the total to 45%, including a 5% incentive for hiring Illinois residents and a 5% green production credit tied to sustainable practices.
ALSO READ:
Illinois launches first-in-the-nation Green Tax Credit for film x TV productions
