California is set to welcome 22 new television productions that are expected to contribute approximately $1.1 billion to the state’s economy, thanks to the expanded Film and Television Tax Credit Program. Of this total, $714 million will go toward qualified expenditures and $413 million toward wages for cast and crew. These productions are projected to occupy over 1,100 filming days across the state, providing a significant economic uplift to communities from urban centers to rural areas.
Colleen Bell, Executive Director of the California Film Commission, emphasized the program’s role in sustaining local employment and retaining creative ventures within the state. She noted that the initiative not only supports thousands of jobs but also ensures that skilled professionals remain engaged in California’s entertainment sector, reinforcing its position as a global storytelling hub.
The slate of 22 projects includes five returning series, two relocating from other states, and 15 new entries—among them a limited series and three pilot episodes. In total, these productions are expected to employ around 6,500 cast and crew members, with an additional 46,100 days of work for background performers. While the majority of filming will occur in Los Angeles, four productions will include shoots in other regions, benefiting broader geographic areas.
Notable projects receiving funding include a new drama series from Dan Fogelman—creator of “This Is Us”—for Hulu, as well as a fresh HBO series developed by Larry David. Returning shows include Lionsgate’s Emmy-nominated “The Studio,” distributed by Apple TV, and Warner Bros. Television’s “Presumed Innocent,” also on Apple TV+. Other additions are Sony Pictures Television’s “S.W.A.T. EXILES,” CBS Studios’ prequel “NCIS: Origins,” and “Group Chat,” a Hulu pilot created by Kenya Barris.
One relocated production is Tom Segura’s Netflix series “Bad Thoughts,” which is moving from Texas to California. Kenya Barris expressed enthusiasm about filming his new series in Los Angeles, citing both personal ties to the city and the importance of supporting local talent and infrastructure. Similarly, producer Manny Halley highlighted the value of the tax credit in enabling productions like “True to the Game” and “Angel” to continue in California, praising the state’s diverse filming locations and robust support systems.
Established in 2009, the Film and Television Tax Credit Program has approved 807 projects to date, generating close to $29 billion in economic impact. Recent improvements include increasing the base tax credit rate to 35%, doubling annual funding to $750 million, expanding eligibility to a wider array of productions, and enhancing access for independent filmmakers. The program also offers additional incentives for productions that film outside Los Angeles or relocate from outside the state, helping to distribute economic benefits more evenly.
The next application window for feature films and independent productions will open from August 25 to 27, 2025, with details available on the California Film Commission’s official website.
— news from Governor of California (.gov)
— News Original —
Nearly two-dozen new TV projects to bring in $1.1 billion to California’s economy, thanks to the Governor’s newly expanded Film and Television Tax Credit Program
Lionsgate’s (AppleTV distribution) Emmy-nominated series “The Studio,” one of nearly two-dozen projects awarded funding in today’s announcement. n nTogether, these shows are projected to generate $1.1 billion in spending across the Golden State, including $714 million in qualified expenditures and $413 million in qualified wages. The productions will account for more than 1,100 filming days statewide, a major boost to local economies up and down California. n n“The Film and Television Tax Credit Program is meeting the challenge of creating jobs and keeping productions here at home,” said Colleen Bell, Executive Director of the California Film Commission. “These 22 television projects will employ thousands of Californians and generate hundreds of millions for our state’s economy. Most importantly, they will keep world-class talent and crews here, ensuring California drives the future of storytelling.” n nCBS Studios’ series “NCIS: Origins,” one of nearly two-dozen projects awarded funding in today’s announcement. n nPowering the state’s creative economy n nThese 22 television shows are a combination of five renewals, two productions relocating to California and 15 new series, including one limited series and three pilots. Collectively, the projects are expected to employ 6,500 cast and crew members, along with 46,100 background performers (measured in days worked). While most filming will take place in Los Angeles, four projects will shoot at least partially outside the region. n nHighlights from this latest round of awards include: n nNew pilots and returning series n nA new Hulu drama series from “This Is Us” and “Paradise” creator Dan Fogelman from 20th Television n nA new HBO series by Larry David n nSecond seasons of Lionsgate’s (AppleTV distribution) Emmy-nominated “The Studio” and Warner Bros. Television’s (Apple TV+ distribution) Emmy-nominated “Presumed Innocent” n nSony Picture Television’s “S.W.A.T. EXILES” n nCBS Studios’ “NCIS: Origins” n n“Group Chat”, a new 20th Television pilot for Hulu from Kenya Barris n nRelocating series n nTom Segura’s Netflix series “Bad Thoughts”, is relocating from Texas n n“I am thrilled that we are going to be able to shoot ‘Group Chat’ in Los Angeles thanks to the California Film Commission tax credit. As an LA native, I feel lucky to have been able to shoot so many projects here throughout my career and love that we’ll be able to continue spotlighting our incredible city, its people and the culture. Not only does this credit allow us to work with the best crews and craftspeople around but, more importantly, it allows us to create jobs and support the LA film community at a time when it’s more important than ever.” – “Group Chat” creator, executive producer and showrunner Kenya Barris n n“This bold program, designed by the California Film Commission, is incredibly clever and allows us to keep our film and TV productions in our preferred shooting destination – California. The state’s diverse locations and unmatched infrastructure provide everything we need for any project and pave the way for the creation of hundreds of jobs on every shoot, which is something we’re incredibly proud of. We’re thankful to be amongst those selected to participate in the program and are excited to begin production on the next installments of our ‘True to the Game’ and ‘Angel’ franchises, right here in California this year.” – Producer and executive producer Manny Halley n nSee the full list of productions that are part of the Film and Television Tax Credit Program here. n nAbout the Film and Television Tax Credit Program n nThe Film and Television Tax Credit Program provides tax credits based on qualified expenditures for eligible productions made in California. Since its launch in 2009, the program has approved 807 projects that have generated nearly $29 billion in economic activity. n nTo ensure the state remains the global leader in the entertainment industry, recent enhancements to the program include raising the base tax credit rate to 35%, doubling the total allocation to $750 million, broadening eligibility to include a wider, more diverse range of productions, and strengthening support for independent films to improve accessibility. n nThe program reduces runaway production, supports career pathways for below-the-line workers, and expands opportunities across rural, suburban, and urban communities. Additional incentives are offered for projects that film outside Los Angeles or relocate from out of state. n nThe next round of feature film and independent production applications will be accepted August 25–27, 2025. Application dates and deadlines are posted on the California Film Commission website.