California is reinforcing its position as a hub for entertainment production through the latest round of its expanded Film and Television Tax Credit Program. This phase is expected to generate approximately 5,165 direct jobs for cast and crew, alongside 35,946 background performer workdays across 1,000 filming days statewide. The projects will drive $902 million in qualified in-state expenditures, including $487 million in wages. This marks the second round of incentives under Program 4.0, which was recently increased from $330 million to $750 million annually.
Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, emphasized that the initiative is fulfilling its mission of stabilizing employment in the creative sector. She noted that returning productions are not only revitalizing local economies but also ensuring long-term economic benefits through sustained industry investment.
Among the high-profile series relocating to California are ‘The Night Agent’ for its fourth season, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ for season two, and the legendary ‘Baywatch,’ which will resume filming along the state’s coastline for its twelfth season. These three productions alone are projected to create close to 1,000 jobs and contribute $116 million in qualified wages—opportunities that likely would not have materialized without the enhanced tax incentives.
Rob Wade, CEO of FOX Entertainment, highlighted the collaborative effort between public officials and the entertainment industry, thanking Governor Gavin Newsom, State Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Rick Zbur, L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park, and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath for their support. He described the return of ‘Baywatch’ as both an economic and symbolic victory, showcasing California’s scenic beauty to global audiences while sustaining local employment.
Matt Nix, executive producer and showrunner of ‘Baywatch,’ shared a personal connection to the project, noting he began his role shortly after devastating wildfires threatened his home. Inspired by first responders, he sees the production’s return as a way to celebrate the resilience and beauty of the region. He expressed gratitude to Fremantle, FOX, and the California Film Commission for enabling the revival.
Christian Vesper, CEO of Global Drama at Fremantle, affirmed that ‘Baywatch’ remains one of the most recognizable series worldwide and that returning it to its original home on the California coast is a significant milestone.
Additional returning series include ‘Fallout’ (Amazon), now in its third season with $166.3 million in qualified spending and $89.5 million in wages—a 21% increase from the prior season. Jonathan Nolan, director and producer of the series, praised the state’s commitment to preserving its creative economy and expressed pride in reinvesting in the community that nurtured his career.
Other returning shows are ‘Blood Ties’ and ‘Lot Patrol’ (Imani Media Group), and ‘Forever’ (Netflix). Mara Brock Akil, executive producer of ‘Forever,’ described the renewal as deeply personal, calling the show a tribute to Los Angeles and a way to sustain legacy within her community. Manny Halley, producer of ‘Blood Ties’ and ‘Lot Patrol,’ noted that the state’s infrastructure and support systems make California an unmatched environment for production, with four active series set to keep teams busy into 2026.
The latest awards also include four new television series, two pilots, and two projects under the Soundstage Tax Credit Program from NBC Universal: ‘The Paper’ and ‘Dig.’ Together, these eight new projects are expected to hire over 2,200 cast and crew members, generating $136 million in wages across more than 345 filming days.
Since its launch in 2009, the tax credit program has spurred over $30.6 billion in economic activity and supported more than 228,000 jobs. Historical data shows that each dollar in tax credits has yielded $24.40 in economic output, $16.14 in GDP, and $8.60 in wages, demonstrating strong public return on investment. The updated program continues to emphasize workforce diversity, expands funding for career training, and includes the nation’s first Safety on Production Pilot Program.
— news from California State Portal | CA.gov
— News Original —
Governor Newsom announces next round of film and TV tax credits, hit series Baywatch returning to California
The program continues to deliver on its goal to get people back to consistent work, with this latest round of projects expected to employ an estimated 5,165 cast and crew, along with 35,946 background performers (measured in days worked) over the course of 1,000 filming days statewide. This round, which is the second for TV projects in the newly expanded Program 4.0, will bring $902 million in qualified in-state spending inclusive of $487 million in qualified wages.
“California continues to prove that when we invest in our creative workforce, the industry invests right back in us. These series aren’t just coming home, they’re bringing thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions in wages, and long-term economic value to our state. The momentum we’re seeing is exactly what this program was designed to deliver.” Colleen Bell, Director California Film Commission
Hit series relocating to the Golden State
Shows relocating to California from New York, New Jersey, Hawaii and various international locations include The Night Agent season 4, Mr. and Mrs. Smith season 2, and iconic beach series Baywatch, which will be coming back to the California coastline for its 12th year on television. Collectively, these three projects will employ nearly 1,000 California cast and crew members with $116 million attributed to qualified wages – jobs and economic activity that would likely not have come to California without the recent expansion of this program.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to work alongside our partners at the California Film Commission to create an economically sustainable path for keeping a production like Baywatch – so spectacularly tied to this great city and state – right here in Los Angeles,” said Rob Wade, CEO of FOX Entertainment. “We’re especially grateful for the tremendous support from the many public officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, who championed this effort, State Senator Ben Allen, State Assemblymember Rick Zbur, L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. This collaboration between government and entertainment truly shows what’s possible when we work together to support local jobs and economic growth, while showcasing the stunning California coast for audiences around the world.”
“I’m excited and honored to be running this iconic show. I started the job in the wake of the California wildfires that devastated the coast and nearly destroyed my house,” states Matt Nix, Baywatch Executive Producer and Showrunner. “I was inspired by the heroism of the first responders who fought to save our community, and I wanted to be a part of bringing filming back to California and showing the beauty and possibility of this incredible place. I’m grateful for the support of my partners and Fremantle and Fox and for the support of the California Film Commission. Baywatch was born in Los Angeles. I’m so glad we can bring it home again.”
Christian Vesper, CEO Global Drama of Fremantle adds, “Baywatch has long been a valued part of Fremantle’s portfolio and continues to be one of the most iconic television series worldwide. We are thrilled to receive support from the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program. Baywatch’s home has always been the iconic California coast. Being allowed to bring this next chapter home where it belongs is very exciting.”
Returning shows expand investment in California
Fallout, which moved to the state in its second season, will continue production in California for Season 3. This new season represents a significant investment in the state, with $166.3 million in qualified spending and $89.5 million in qualified wages – a 21% increase in spending compared to its previous season.
“California has always dreamed in cinema. But for far too long we have been letting that dream slip away,” exclaims Jonathan Nolan, Director / Writer / Producer of Fallout season 3. “We are so grateful to the film crews, the state legislators, and everyone who took a stand to protect the creative economy and future of California. We are incredibly proud to be shooting here and investing that money back into the place that gave so many of us our start, and that so many of us call home.”
Returning projects in this latest round of awards include:
Fallout Season 3 (Amazon)
Blood Ties Season 2 & Lot Patrol Season 2 (Imani Media Group)
Forever Season 2 (Netflix)
“I’ve been part of California’s film incentive program since its inception and continuing FOREVER here for Season 2 means everything. This show is both a love story and a love letter to Los Angeles— the city that raised me and shaped my voice as a storyteller,” states Mara Brock Akil, Executive Producer, Forever. “Working with world-class crews while keeping jobs in my community– that’s not just filmmaking, that’s legacy. California nurtures dreamers, and I’m grateful to keep dreaming here.”
Blood Ties and Lot Patrol Producer Manny Halley adds, “Our continued partnership with the California Film Commission allows us to keep our film and television productions in the state of California where the level of support, infrastructure and creative economy expertise on all levels are second to none. We now have four TV series so 2026 will be a busy year for us and the California cast and crew…we’re super excited.”
New series, pilots, and more!
Rounding out this most recent batch of projects are four new television series and two pilots, as well as two new series approved under the state’s Soundstage Tax Credit Program from NBC Universal – The Paper and Dig.
Collectively, these eight projects are expected to bring more than 2,200 cast and crew hires totaling $136 million in qualified wages for over 345 filming days in California.
About California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program
The California Film Commission (CFC) administers the Film & Television Tax Credit Program. Earlier this year, the Governor more than doubled California’s Film and Television Tax Credit program — from $330 million to $750 million — and implemented key updates to keep production, below-the-line jobs, and investment rooted in California.
Since its inception in 2009, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $30.6 billion in economic activity and supported more than 228,000 cast and crew jobs across the state. In years past, for every dollar of tax credit awarded, California has seen massive returns — $24.40 in economic output, $16.14 in GDP and $8.60 in wages.
The expanded program — now one of the largest capped film incentives in the nation — maintains California’s competitive edge in the creative economy while continuing to prioritize workforce diversity provisions, more funding for the Career Pathways Training Program, and the nation’s first Safety on Production Pilot Program.