Lights, camera ... Lincoln!

New AMC series filmed at Lincoln Woods

LINCOLN – Costumed cast members, heavy-duty camera crews and scattered prop pieces painted an unusual scene at Lincoln Woods State Park last week as filmmakers set up shop to film a new AMC series in the park.

The supernatural series is called “NOS4A2” – pronounced “Nosferatu,” like the 1920s vampire – and is based on a book by Joe Hill, the son of horror novelist Stephen King. The 10-part series stars Zachary Quinto as the soul-sucking villain Charlie Manx, pursued by supernatural New Englander “Vic” McQueen, played by Ashleigh Cummings.

Airing in 2019, the series will be shot exclusively in Rhode Island at various locations.

“Everyone will recognize different places throughout the state while watching the episodes,” said Steven Feinberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office. “Every day is a different location in Rhode Island. We’re out and about in West Warwick, East Greenwich, Kingston. We’re literally all over the state,” said Feinberg.

While he could not disclose upcoming set locations, Feinberg said they shot scenes in Woonsocket last week before moving to Lincoln Woods. In Lincoln last Friday, a machine pumped fog over the shoreline of Olney Pond, where a wooden bridge prop was constructed for filming.

Feinberg said episodes one and two are being filmed now, while filmmakers prep for episodes three and four. They expect to shoot until the end of January.

“I’m very excited,” Feinberg said. “Joe Hill wrote the novel, and many people love his work. Then you have Zachary Quinto, who has a great following of people like myself who love the new Star Trek movies. His character is pretty spectacular.”

Jami O’Brien, a producer and writer known for “The Walking Dead” and “Hell on Wheels,” converted Hill’s novel to television. He will serve as showrunner and executive producer, along with Hill and Lauren Corrao, co-president of Torante Television.

O’Brien said, “I am so excited to be able to shoot our scary New England fantasy horror show in New England. Rhode Island offers us such a great variety of looks and a priceless feeling of authenticity – not to mention clamcakes and cabinets.”

With a local crew, the series will provide job opportunities for local companies during filming. Feinberg added that there would be additional casting sessions for extras in the future after a Sept. 23 casting call at Pawtucket’s Mixed Magic Theatre drew hundreds of people.

In a statement, Gov. Gina Raimondo said, “With our pool of talented local artists, technicians and a variety of unique locations in close proximity, Rhode Island is the perfect place to make movies and television shows. Every time a production shoots here we see a positive impact on our local businesses. This is the type of energy that keeps moving our economy forward.”