After the renewal of “Bad Monkey” season 2 was announced, the series is set for a significant change in filming location. Created by Bill Lawrence of “Ted Lasso” fame, this Apple TV+ series is based on Carl Hiaasen’s bestselling detective novel. It stars Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy, a former Miami detective who has fallen from grace and is now a health inspector. In season 1, a severed arm on the shore of the Florida Keys leads Yancy into a world of corruption and crime that is both absurd and perilous. The show’s portrayal of eccentric Floridians and Vaughn’s sarcastic take on Yancy have made it a popular choice on the streaming platform.
“Bad Monkey” will shift its filming from Florida to California for the second season, capitalizing on a $20 million tax credit from the California Film Commission. This relocation is part of California’s push to enhance its incentives and bring back high-profile productions that have left the state or gone overseas. Given that the storyline of “Bad Monkey” is closely tied to the Florida Keys, the decision to move filming to California could have a major impact on how season 2 is presented, both in terms of visuals and logistics. The director of the CFC commented on the tax credit, stating, “We are working hard to keep productions filming in California. These tax credits help us keep jobs here in our state and drive economic growth, but the impact goes beyond the entertainment industry – it supports families, local businesses, and communities statewide.”
What this new filming location means for “Bad Monkey” is that it poses the question of whether the West Coast can replicate the charm of its southern counterpart. California’s tax credit comes at a time when Hollywood has seen historically low levels of TV and film production this year. “Bad Monkey” has thus far relied heavily on the vibrant and chaotic backdrop of the Florida Keys for its dark comedy. Hiaasen’s sequel novel “Razor Girl”, which could potentially be the source material for season 2, is also set in the Florida Keys. If the production wants to stay true to Hiaasen’s world, filming in California may require some creative cinematography to mimic Florida’s unique tropical look on the West Coast.
The unique quirks of Floridian life have been essential to the tone of “Bad Monkey”. The location change makes one wonder if Lawrence will be able to maintain that otherworldly feel. However, moving to California could bring benefits such as access to top-notch production facilities and a more convenient location for the cast and crew. While it remains to be seen if the show can accurately recreate Florida’s distinct atmosphere on the opposite coast, the $20 million tax credit is a shrewd financial move by Apple TV+ that could potentially expand the show’s reach and ambition in its second season.
“Bad Monkey” season 2’s new location is that, while replicating the tropical Keys in California will be a creative hurdle, the team behind the show has shown they are up to the task. After all, “Bad Monkey” isn’t the first Florida-based series to be filmed in California; Showtime’s “Dexter”, set in Miami but filmed mostly in Los Angeles and Long Beach, is a precedent. With Vaughn reprising his role as Andrew Yancy and the sharp humor of the ensemble cast, “Bad Monkey” should be able to effectively portray Hiaasen’s gritty Floridian underworld, regardless of where it’s filmed.
Related content:
-
‘SUPERMAN & LOIS’ STAR ON FINAL SEASON’S COSTUME & SUITING UP
-
‘WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS’ S6: STAR ON JERRY’S BETRAYAL OF THE BARON
-
ARCANE CO-CREATOR REVEALS UPCOMING ‘LEAGUE OF LEGENDS’ TV SHOWS