Bad Monkey Season 2 Filming Is Moving Out of Florida Thanks to a $20 Million Tax Credit

After the recent news from the Bad Monkey season 2 renewal, the murder mystery series will also receive a new location. Created by Ted LassoBill Lawrence, the Apple TV+ series is based on Carl Hiaasen's bestselling crime novel and stars Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy, a former Miami detective turned health inspector. Bad Monkey The first season follows Yancy after a severed arm washes up on the coast of the Florida Keys, drawing him into a world of corruption and crime that is as absurd as it is dangerous. Its portrayal of eccentric Floridians and Vaughn's sarcastic portrayal of Yancy made it a standout on the streaming platform.

According to Variety, Bad Monkey will move its filming location from Florida to California for its second seasontaking advantage of a $20 million tax credit from the California Film Commission. The relocation is part of the state's ongoing effort to strengthen its incentives and re-attract high-profile productions that have left the state or abroad. Since Bad MonkeyAlthough the plot is heavily tied to the Florida Keys, the production team's decision to move filming to California could significantly impact how the second season comes to life, both visually and logistically. See what the CFC director said about 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 across the state.

What Bad Monkey's New Filming Location Means

Can the West Coast be anything like its southern sister?

California's generous tax credit comes after Hollywood's historically low levels of television and film production this year. Despite that, Bad Monkey have so far leaned heavily on the lush, chaotic lushness of the Florida Keys as the backdrop for its dark comedy. Sequel to Hiaasen's novel Razor Girlwhich serves as a potential source material for season 2, is also set in the Florida Keys. If Bad Monkeythe production of wishes to continue with the world of Hiaasen, Filming in California may require some creative framing to replicate Florida's unique tropical aesthetic on the West Coast.

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

Our Take on Bad Monkey Season 2's New Location

Nothing a little Hollywood magic can't solve

Replicating California's tropical islands will be a creative challenge, but the talent behind Bad Monkey proved its ability to deliver. What is more, the police drama will not be the first Florida-based series to be filmed in Californiaas is the case with Showtime Dexter, which is set in Miami, but filmed most of its exterior scenes in Los Angeles and Long Beach. With Vaughn continuing as Andrew Yancy and the cast's sharp wit, Bad MonkeyThe portrayal of Hiaasen's underbelly in Florida must translate regardless of the filming location.

Source: Variety