'It’s going to look like New York City': Apple TV series to film in downtown London, Ont. this month
One block of Richmond Street is about to transform into New York City.
CTV News London has learned the Apple TV series Improbable Valentine — based off the book The Changeling — will be filming in downtown London later this month.
“We are told they are going to film a movie on the block, and we are excited and looking forward to that,” says James Edwards, owner of AAHC Barbershop and Salon on Richmond Street.
AAHC and a few other businesses between Dundas & King streets on Richmond Street will be closed as they build, film and tear down the set.
“They are going to change the outside and change the signs and I was told it was supposed to look like the 70s in N.Y. scene,” Edwards adds.
According to neighbour Dave McCallum of NYC Stylz, his store will be closed Aug. 24.
“They are setting up rain towers for a big production and need to access the upstairs and downstairs of my shop,” says McCallum.
Actor Lakeith Stanfield poses for a photograph on the red carpet for the premiere of the film "Uncut Gems" during the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin)The fairy tale horror series features LaKeith Stanfield, who starred in Straight Outta Compton, Get Out and Knives Out.
Filming of the series began back in April and is expected to last into September. Some other locations include Toronto, New York and New Jersey.
Photos of production in those other cities have popped up all over social media.
Andrew Dodd of Film London says his office is tracking a few productions right now, and credits the city’s creation of the film office, which is starting to see results.
But, Dodd won’t confirm Improbable Valentine is coming.
“There's lots of moving pieces here and nothing certain until it's certain, so I can't nail any specifics down at this point,” says Dodd. “But we know they're looking in that they're interested and it could be it could be a big deal for London.”
Major television and film productions like Taken, Scary Stories to tell in the Dark, The Boys and See have been filmed in Elgin County, but London hasn’t been host to many big name series.
James Edwards of AAHC Barbershop and Salon will have to close his business for a few days this month as an Apple TV production is taking place in front of his store on Richmond Street in London, Ont. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)“It’s not something that London is used to seeing, so when something does come, there is an excitement about and they reach out to our office because they want to know more,” says Dodd. “It gets people talking because we're not a Toronto or Hamilton where there's productions on the street every single day.”
Edwards is looking forward to the finished product.
“I want to see what the movie actually looks like,” says Edwards.
He adds, “I’d like to see how my shop fits in and stuff and hopefully, you know, maybe they'll have some opportunities to be extra something. Maybe we might get a chance to be in the film.”
The series is expected to air sometime in 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.