North Carolina won’t be the filming location for an upcoming Netflix series because of the state’s lingering House Bill 2, the bathroom bill that caused numerous production companies to forgo North Carolina in 2016.
“OBX” is a coming of age story about four teens forced into isolation after a hurricane hits and knocks out communication. Netflix hasn’t officially announced the show but picked up a 10-episode season. The series was meant to film its fictional Outer Banks town in Wilmington, North Carolina, the hometown of series creator Jonas Pate.
However, Netflix decided not to film in North Carolina because of the anti-LGBT HB2. In particular, Netflix took issue with a clause in HB2’s replacement bill, HB 142, that prevents cities and municipalities from passing non-discrimination ordinances to protect the LGBT community.
The clause is in effect until Dec. 1, 2020 but the series was set to start production in the spring. Netflix would have spent $60 million in Wilmington for the show.
Netflix is now eyeing Charleston, South Carolina as a new filming location.
Pate told Star News Online that the clause is an economic hinderance to North Carolina.
“This tiny law is costing this town 70 good, clean, pension-paying jobs and also sending a message to those people who can bring these jobs and more that North Carolina still doesn’t get it,” Pate says.
According to Pate, Netflix would reconsider filming in North Carolina if the bill expires sooner.
Story courtesy of the Washington Blade.