LOS ANGELES (AP) — Apple TV+’s “Bad Monkey,” a series set in the Florida Keys, will relocate its production to California for its second season after securing a $20.6 million state tax credit, the California Film Commission announced Wednesday.
The move marks a significant shift for the show, which filmed its first season in Florida despite that state’s lack of film production tax incentives. The series, based on Carl Hiaasen’s book, is one of 10 productions receiving a share of $108.6 million in California tax credits.
“We are working hard to keep productions filming in California,” said California Film Commission Director Colleen Bell. “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.”
Disney emerged as the leading recipient in this round of allocations, with four projects receiving $43.5 million in credits. Other major productions benefiting from the program include HBO’s “L.A. Nights” ($19.4 million) and Apple TV+’s “Imperfect Women” ($12.5 million), starring Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss.
Universal secured an additional $10.4 million for “The Burbs” under the state’s $150 million soundstage incentive program. This marks Universal’s third project to benefit from this initiative, following “Suits L.A.” and two seasons of “Quantum Leap,” bringing their total credits to $46 million.
The announcements come as California Governor Gavin Newsom plans to propose increasing the state’s annual film and TV tax credit allocation from $330 million to $750 million in the next budget. The increase aims to boost the industry’s recovery following the 2023 strikes.
