EW has learned that Fringe, J.J. Abrams’ sci-fi series on Fox—which is set in Boston but films in New York—is planning a move to Vancouver, Canada in the event that it is picked up for a second season. In a statement, Warner Bros. Television tells EW that “in this challenging and uncertain economic environment, we have made the very difficult decision to move… We did not come to this conclusion easily, but economic and practical imperatives dictated that this decision be made in a timely manner.” It is believed that the decision to relocate is due largely to the lingering possibility that New York state’s film/TV production tax incentive program, which just recently ran out of funds, will not be replenished by Governor David Paterson.
According to Stuart Suna, head of Long Island City’s Silvercup Studios—where Fringe currently films—the program’s $685 million budget, which was put into place in April 2008, was initially expected to last until 2013. But because of its popularity, “all of the allocated money was used up. So many productions came to New York. It was more than anybody expected.”
With the potential expiration of these tax incentives, the future shooting locales for certain NYC-based shows—like 30 Rock, In Treatment, and Life On Mars—remain in limbo. The problem is compounded by the fact that in the past week, California and Ottawa each made aggressive moves to court productions with their own tax incentives. EW can report, however, that neither Ugly Betty nor Gossip Girl will be exiting the Big Apple anytime soon; they were fortunate enough to file their applications just before the piggy bank emptied.
EW will follow this story as it continues to develop, so keep checking back for updates.
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Good news for Vancouver, where I live… We’ve filmed the X-Files here and Supernatural…Fringe would fit right in…. And of course Joshua Jackson is from here too
stay in the usa
How many shows (and movies) can you film at one time? I wonder if we could see a Twilight, Fringe and Supernatural cross-over?! ; )
YAY, one for canada.
Whatever happens, I hope they keep the show going. It has become a favorite – a good split between sci fi action and some wry humor. I like the New England setting though, although they seem to make it around the region faster than Jack Bauer can get around LA or DC!
“30 Rock” mustn’t leave 30 Rock. The NYiness shines with that show.
It seems to me that 30 Rock couldn’t really film anywhere else but New York. Is that just an irrational assumption?
Moving shows like Fringe, Life on Mars, etc. has a huge impact on NYC. And I’m not talking about $$ the city gets. These shows constantly hire background actors/actresses in the NYC area. There will be lots of people not getting work when these shows leave.
30 rock films in jersey
Go Ottawa! Home town REPRESENT!
Vancouver is PERFECT for Fringe. They shoudla been there all along, anyway.
I love Vancouver, but tend to think that shows that film there look incredibly generic. I hope Fringe doesn’t start looking like every show on ABC Family.
If Vancouver is less expensive, then Fringe should move there to film. It’s a no-brainer. But I’m disappointed; couldn’t they find one less way to be like the X-Files? The first 5 season of the X-Files were shot there, exclusively.
I’m okay with Fringe moving to Vancouver (why they didn’t just make the setting New York in the first place is still weird), but Vancouver is just so…..overused and pretty generic.
But there’s no excuse for 30 Rock not to film where’s it expected to!
it’s too bad vancouver gets such a bad rap, because as “generic” as it may seem, it’s not. shows just choose not to show the city in all its glory, because it always has to fill in for someplace else…
This makes no sense they filmed the pilot in toronto and fall of this year and winter of this year and next vancouver will be getting ready for the olympics, which will cause a huge trafic problems. Also they will be competing for space there with the other shows filming there. Where as toronto just built a HUGE studio that is sitting empty.
I don’t care where it’s filmed as long as they continue to film it. Love the show!
If American shows shot in Vancouver look generic, it’s because they film in the area around the city, not in the city itself. If you don’t believe me, check out a couple of older Canadian tv series that were set in Vancouver: DaVinci’s Inquest (later it became DaVinci’s City Hall), and Cold Squad. Both shows made good use of Vancouver’s mean streets and harbours, and the city is far from generic in both shows.
This is so lame. I feel bad for the crew that has to look for new jobs this coming April. What if the actors don’t wanna move?
It’s a shame. The NY economy takes another hit. More jobs leave the USA.
I seriously love this show!
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Why are we sending TV shows or movies to Canada? The financial impact on the people who live in NY and work in this industry is devastating. Not everyone is a star making 6 or 7 figures. There are hard-working NY union men and women who need their jobs. DON’T TAKE THE JOBS OUT OF NY!
have some of you people even ever BEEN to vancouver?
that’s not a generic city
that’s a city on the ocean, surrounded by trees which are thousands of years old and bordered by the rocky mountains. it’s beautiful and hardly generic.
Yay, Fringe is coming to me!
Seems to me the pilot was filmed in Toronto. Welcome back
love fringe, need more shows like this. Bring em all to canada if it will keep em on the air
why vancouver, the pilot was done in toronto, bring it back here,
The Governor of New York is an absolute idiot for not renewing the tax credits. I am a little vocal on this since I was the one who taught Josh how to play the piano for any episodes, as well as Charlie Tahan (the little kid from ep 8), and John Noble (Walter) how to write out the music. The Governor’s incompetence is going to cost a lot of jobs, a lot of income for the city, and a lot of goodwill in the studio/film industry.
Vancouver not Toronto because Vancouver has superior production studios compared to T.O. smart move by them, 3rd after Hollywood and NY in film and movie production
though one must feel for the people who are going to lose their jobs in NY.. not the best situation to have to move a show but they chose the best possible place