NEW TV SERIES TO FILM ENTIRELY IN RI

The Rhode Island Film & TV Office is pleased to announce that a new television series, BODY OF PROOF (formerly, “Body of Evidence”), has been picked up for ABC’s fall primetime schedule and will start filming episodes for its first season throughout the Ocean State in July 2010. Pre-production will commence immediately in the Warwick offices. The ABC Studios original television pilot was filmed in Rhode Island earlier this year.

BODY OF PROOF is a procedural drama that centers on a brilliant and tenacious, female medical examiner whose background as a neurosurgeon gives her a unique and refreshing crime-solving perspective at the ME’s office, one that often puts her at odds with just about everyone who crosses her path.

Dana Delany stars as Dr. Megan Hunt, Jeri Ryan as Dr. Kate Murphy, Geoffrey Arend as Dr. Elliot Gross, John Carroll Lynch as Detective Bud Morris, Windell Middlebrooks as Dr. Curtis Brumfield, Nic Bishop as Peter Dunlap and Sonja Sohn as Detective Samantha Baker. Christopher Murphey wrote the pilot, which was directed by Nelson McCormick. Murphey will serve as Executive Producer along with Matt Gross. Richard Heus is co-Executive producer.

Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Film & TV Office said, "We are extremely proud to announce this great news. ABC Studios has chosen our beautiful state as the base of operations to film their new network television series, which will premiere on Friday nights at 9pm. As a result, more jobs will be immediately available to our local crew and talent pool. The production will quickly feed new money into our state’s small businesses and help pump up Rhode Island’s economy. This is further proof that our Ocean State has the heart, resources and foresight to compete in even the most challenging of climates…and win."

“Rhode Island will once again be featured as the backdrop for an exciting television drama,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “Rhode Island’s natural beauty, historic architecture, and talented workforce will help make Body of Proof an instant success with television viewers.”

House Speaker Gordon D. Fox said, "The continuation of the television and film tax incentive program created by the General Assembly played a major role in securing this television series for our state. I am extremely proud of the work of our many talented individuals who have great expertise in the arts' industry. This series will provide steady work for them, as well as many businesses in the hospitality field and other companies that will benefit from the presence of a major TV production."

President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D - Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) said, "News that ABC will pick up this series and will be filming in Rhode Island can help Rhode Island workers through jobs and internships in the film industry, use of Rhode Island vendors, and the promotion of our state through greater exposure of its many magnificent locations. Our beautiful state is diverse and compact, which lends itself wonderfully to the demands of the film industry. This is another example of the ways in which Rhode Island can build upon its strengths to foster job creation."

"This is a great development for Rhode Island and for our community, where pre-production will begin," said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian. "We look forward to working with the state Film and Television Office as well as all who are involved with "Body of Proof" to assure the series' success
and to showcase all that Warwick and our state have to offer."

Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline said, "We are pleased that Body of Proof had a positive experience while filming the pilot in Providence in March and will be returning to the Ocean State. I would like to thank ABC and the production for its commitment to creating jobs for Rhode Islanders by hiring local crew.”

ABC Studios is a leader in the development, production and strategic distribution of entertainment content across television and emerging digital platforms. As a key content driver for the Disney-ABC Television Group, the studio has produced four consecutive seasons of hit programming. For more information go to: http://abc.go.com/shows/body-of-proof