"Defending Jacob" was written by Newton's William Landay. (File photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff)

NEWTON, MA — The Garden City is ready for its close up. A murder mystery TV series is slated to start filming at Cold Spring Park in April. If you notice road closures and a number of folks dressed like police officers running through the woods in the area, that's probably why.

Author William Landay, a Newton resident, set his 2012 best-seller "Defending Jacob," right here in the city and the producers of the crime drama miniseries decided to film here, too.

Chris Evans of "Captain America" fame is starring in the series, which is being produced by Paramount Pictures for Apple TV. The eight-episode series promises to take viewers along the journey of Andy Barber, an assistant district attorney who is investigating the murder of a 14-year-old boy and then comes to find out his son is a suspect.

Landay and his family have lived in Newton Highlands since 2004. The best-selling New York Times author appears to have been just as inspired by his work as an assistant DA in the Middlesex County DA’s Office as he was by his surroundings in his hometown.

There will be film crews working on scenes at Cold Spring Park, Newton Highlands and at the UMass Amherst Mount Ida Campus.



Filming at Cold Spring Park is tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 8, Tuesday, April 9 and then Tuesday, April 16, according to the mayor. The scenes that take place at the park will happen near the dog park entrance off of Plymouth Road — will be filmed first. And, yes, this means Plymouth Road and the dog park will be closed during that time. [Editor's note this paragraph has been edited to correct the days of the week the filming will be]

Filming at Mount Ida is tentatively scheduled to begin Marathon Monday and last until April 18. Filming in Newton Highlands is scheduled for the end of May, according to the mayor.



Paramount is working to get approval from the Conservation Commission for use of Cold Spring Park.

"I am also finishing negotiations for a payment from Paramount to improve the trails there," said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.



Oh, and if you're thinking it might be time for your own 15 minutes of fame? Boston Casting is taking applications for extras.



Check out the book trailer:

It's not like we haven't had a murder before in the city:

Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).