Bucks County is no stranger to film crews. But, this next one will be a little different.
Starting this week, roads will close, detours will be posted and people will hope to catch a glimpse of stars such as Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Mando, Kate Mulgrew or Marin Ireland. Or director Ridley Scott.
As entirely unlikely as that may be.
The pilot episode of a new Apple Studios series is doing some of its shooting at a Bedminster Road property in the Ottsville section of Tinicum, according to Amy Leigh Johnson, Apple’s unit publicist.
An old, dilapidated and long-vacant farmhouse will be at the center of the action in Bucks, when the series follows a group of Philly friends who pose as DEA agents to rob a house in the countryside. Let’s just say it doesn’t go well and there’s a need to blow the place up.
That plan didn’t really fly with local authorities, said Richard Schilling, township manager in Bedminster. “There was too much lead and asbestos involved,” he said, “so they built a plywood addition on that they can destroy.”
Schilling stressed that the Apple folks are contacting all neighboring residents, and alerting those with horses and other animals to the explosion. It’s unclear exactly when that will take place, Johnson said.
Tinicum manager Teri Lewis also emphasized that the filmmakers are in “constant contact with our police department and seem to want to work with all the neighbors.” Complete access for emergency vehicles during the road closures is “fully guaranteed,” she added.
At some points during the shooting, Schilling said, there could be up to 200 people on the set, with crews from the U.S., Britain and France.
The series’ working title is Catamount and it’s based on the novel “Dope Thief,” by Dennis Tafoya.
Here’s a list of other movies filmed in Bucks County:
Source: Visit Bucks County
Here are the road closures, according to PennDOT:
Tuesday Feb. 14 through Saturday Feb. 18, and Tuesday Feb. 21 through Thursday Feb. 23, from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Route 113 (Bedminster Road) will be closed with flagging between Route 611 (Easton Road) and Deer Run Road.
"During the closure, passenger vehicles will be directed to use Route 113 (Bedminster Road), Kellers Church Road, Creek Road, Quarry Road, and Route 611 (Easton Road). Large trucks will be directed to use Route 113 (Bedminster Road), Route 313 (Dublin Pike), and Route 611 (Easton Road)."
PennDOT says local access will be maintained up to the work zone.
Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work area because backups and delays will occur.
All scheduled activities are weather-dependent, the transportation agency said.
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