Bad Monkey Season 2 Filming Is Moving Out Of Florida Thanks To $20M Tax Credit

Following recent news of the Bad Monkey season 2 renewal, the murder-mystery series will also be getting a new location. Created by Ted Lasso's Bill Lawrence, the Apple TV+ series is based on Carl Hiaasen’s bestselling detective novel and stars Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy, a disgraced former Miami detective turned health inspector. Bad Monkey season 1 follows Yancy after a severed arm washes up on the shore of the Florida Keys, leading him into a world of corruption and crime that’s as absurd as it is dangerous. Its depiction of eccentric Floridians and Vaughn's sarcastic portrayal of Yancy has made it a standout on the streaming platform.

According to Variety, Bad Monkey will shift its filming location from Florida to California for its second season, taking advantage of a $20 million tax credit from the California Film Commission. The relocation is part of the state’s ongoing effort to beef up their incentives and re-attract high-profile productions that have moved out of state or overseas. Since Bad Monkey's storyline is heavily tied to the Florida Keys, the production team’s decision to move filming to California could significantly impact how season 2 is brought to life, both visually and logistically. Here's what the director of the CFC said of the tax credit:

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 Bad Monkey's New Filming Location Means

Can The West Coast Be Anything Like Its Southern Sister?

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California's generous tax credit comes after Hollywood's historically low levels of TV and film production this year. Nonetheless, Bad Monkey has so far leaned heavily on the vibrant and chaotic lush of the Florida Keys as a backdrop for its dark comedy. Hiaasen’s sequel novel Razor Girl, which serves as potential source material for season 2, is also set in the Florida Keys. If Bad Monkey's production wishes to continue with Hiaasen's world, filming in California might require some creative framing to replicate Florida's unique tropical aesthetic on the West Coast.

Related Where Was Bad Monkey Filmed? Vince Vaughn Show's Filming Locations Explained Bad Monkey was filmed entirely in southern Florida, which is also where the new Apple crime series starring Vince Vaughn takes place.

The authentic quirks of Floridian life have been central to Bad Monkey's tone. The location change raises questions about whether Lawrence will continue to capture its otherworldliness. However, the move to California could bring some advantages with quality production facilities and a more centralized location for the cast and crew. Whether the show can successfully emulate Florida’s distinct atmosphere while filming on the opposite coast remains to be seen, but with a $20 million tax credit, the relocation is a strategic financial decision on Apple TV+'s end that could help expand the show’s scope and ambition in its sophomore season.

Our Take On Bad Monkey Season 2's New Location

Nothing A Bit Of Hollywood Magic Can't Fix

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Replicating the tropical Keys in California will be a creative challenge, but the talent behind Bad Monkey has proven their ability to deliver. Besides, the crime drama will not be the first Florida-based series to be filmed in California, as is the case with Showtime's Dexter, which is set in Miami but filmed most of its exterior shots in Los Angeles and Long Beach. With Vaughn continuing as Andrew Yancy, and the sharp wit of the ensemble cast, Bad Monkey's portrayal of Hiaasen’s gritty Floridian underbelly should translate regardless of its filming location.

Source: Variety