RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that the PBS Civil War drama series Mercy Street will be returning to Virginia for a second season of filming. Season one filmed on location in Central Virginia and has been both a critical and popular success since premiering in January.
The series is inspired by real events that took place at Mansion House, an Alexandria hotel owned by a Southern family that was turned into a Union hospital during the Civil War. The series follows two volunteer nurses on opposite sides of the conflict: Mary Phinney, a staunch New England abolitionist, and Emma Green, a willful young Confederate belle. The series explores rarely-examined aspects of the Civil War, including the way in which the need for healing the wounded and sick helped to advance modern medicine, and the impact the challenges of war had on women’s roles in society.
“I am so pleased that Mercy Street has already had such tremendous success and will be returning to Virginia to film season two,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “This outstanding show is a great illustration of the enormous opportunities Virginia offers to film and television producers and to tourists who enjoy history and natural beauty. I hope all Virginians will continue to support Mercy Street and take advantage of our many exceptional Civil War sites and attractions, particularly those in Alexandria, where the original story of Mercy Street took place, and in Central Virginia where the PBS series is filmed.”
“We are grateful to the Commonwealth of Virginia for so warmly embracing Mercy Street. The period locations and Virginia’s exceptional crew and actors are all integral to the series’ success, and we are absolutely thrilled to be returning to film a second season,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS.
“Virginia’s history, natural beauty and architectural assets provide filmmakers and television series writers with compelling stories to tell,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Productions like Mercy Street create jobs for Virginians and bring investment into our communities. We thank PBS for its continued commitment to the Commonwealth.”
Virginia Film Office Director Andy Edmunds noted, “Our industry is thrilled to welcome Mercy Street back for another season. It is a testament to the commitment for authenticity from the producers, and the superb support from our crew, talent and government partners.”
Season two of Mercy Street will begin filming in 2016 in the Central Virginia area. The project is eligible to receive Virginia incentives. The exact amount is based on the number of Virginia workers hired, Virginia goods and services purchased, and deliverables, including Virginia tourism promotions. Season one included a promotional recognition for Virginia tourism that aired during each broadcast of the series.
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The economic impact of Virginia’s film industry in 2014 was $413.6 million, providing $59.4 million in state and local tax revenue for the Commonwealth, as well as 3,438 full-time jobs.
For more information on Mercy Street, please click here.
For Mercy Street travel inspiration, please click here.
For more information about the Virginia Film Office, please click here.
The Virginia Film Office is part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the state agency charged with marketing the state of Virginia. Tourism is an instant revenue generator in Virginia. In 2014, visitors spent $22.4 billion, supporting nearly 217,000 jobs and contributing $1.5 billion in state and local taxes.
For more information on the Virginia Tourism Corporation, please click here.