WORCESTER—For the past couple of weeks, downtown Worcester has been abuzz with excitement as the streets transformed into the set of “Dead City: Season 2,” a spin-off of the renowned series “The Walking Dead,” being filmed by Stalwart Productions.
Throngs of rubberneckers, devoted fans, and curious passersby have been flocking to the filming locations, eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite characters and snap pictures of the action.
Crews descended on the city on Thursday, April 25, and set up in various spots, including Norwich Street, Ziggy Bombs and Union Station, where filming wrapped up earlier this week.
“The Walking Dead: Dead City” is an American post-apocalyptic horror drama television series crafted by Scott Gimple and Eli Jorné for AMC. It takes root in the universe of “The Walking Dead,” focusing on the characters Maggie and Negan. This installment marks the first sequel within “The Walking Dead” television saga and the fifth series in its expansive universe, maintaining continuity with its predecessors.
The series features Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan reprising their roles as Maggie and Negan, alongside Gaius Charles, Željko Ivanek, and Mahina Napoleon in starring roles. Development of the show kicked off in March 2022, with the title unveiled that same month, and later refined in August. Cast members were added to the ensemble later in the year. Additional cast announcements followed in October and November 2022.
Debuting on June 18, 2023, the first season of “Dead City” comprised six episodes. Its success prompted a swift renewal for a second season in July 2023.
Crews began setting up the cameras for “Part 2” in Worcester several weeks ago, transforming areas of downtown and the Canal District, which included filming at Ziggy Bombs and Union Station, into a mini NYC replete with a faux subway station marred by graffiti, and several business and street signs swapped out for the set filming.
Worcester became a hub of activity as the undead took over the streets, but how did these zombies end up setting up shop in our fair city, where Worcester is transformed into an apocalyptic New York City? Behind the scenes, the logistics of bringing such a production to life often remain a mystery to most. From securing filming locations to coordinating with local authorities, the intricate process of delivering Hollywood to Main Street involves a myriad steps that often go unnoticed by the public eye.
The groundwork was laid when Stalwart Production’s senior location manager called Edgar Luna, business development manager, Executive Office of Economic Development, to let him know that his company was seeking locations to film scenes for the upcoming TV Series “Dead City, Season 2.”
Luna oversees the Worcester Film Commission and said that the series was being filmed in several locations around Massachusetts. He said that while several sites were considered, the final selection included: 8 Norwich St., 316-339 Main St., 316 Main St., the intersection of Norwich and Foster streets, the intersection of Portland and Franklin streets, Chandler Hill Park, and Cedar Street.
“Worcester is ideally located at the center of New England with unsurpassed road connectivity to any state in New England, Connecticut, and New York,” Luna told the Worcester Guardian. “Worcester provides a streamlined regulatory process that facilitates filming in the city. It has unique streetscapes that can compete with any city in the country and beyond. Worcester is the second largest city in New England.”
The cost? Luna said the budget for films is confidential, so any location costs are not disclosed to the public.
Each film project has unique characteristics, Luna said of the logistical process surrounding filming in Worcester, but in general, Luna developed a “film project summary” based on the criteria stated. The summary describes the proposed project and its specific needs. This document is distributed to WPD, WFD, DPW&P, Inspectional Services, and/or, other City Departments for feedback.
Once the film project has been approved by the film company and the Worcester Film Commission, it is implemented as proposed and approved,” he said.
“It is not uncommon for us to shift production locations for a new season,” Jorné, who serves as showrunner and executive producer for “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” told the Guardian. “AMC has done it before on other series, including ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’ and they had a great experience shooting in and around Boston on other shows (‘Kevin Can F— Himself,’ and others.) We loved the idea of bringing the show here to utilize the city and the surrounding areas for our second season. Massachusetts has a wonderful incentive program, as well. We have an incredible crew here that have become part of ‘The Walking Dead Universe’ family. We are thrilled to be working alongside them to create this next chapter in our story.”
While the show takes place in Manhattan because it lives in a post-apocalyptic world, so much of it is built through visual effects, explained Jorné.
“In that sense, we’re always on the lookout for specific, one-of-a-kind locations, which Worcester has to offer us in spades,” said Jorné. “But above all, the biggest gift Worcester has given us has been our extremely attentive script supervisor—local Aidan Payne. Oh, and also, Turtle Boy.”
Luna added that, “If a scene requires street closures, it’s done easily in Worcester. Closing streets in Boston or New York is almost impossible.”
When further pressed to name characteristics of Worcester that made it particularly ideal for this series, Jorné said there were “so many amazing locations” that made it perfect for the show, adding that “the train station lobby alone was epic.”
During several of the nights of shooting, crowds gathered in the streets or poked their heads out of windows to snap pictures and videos, but also cheered on the actors during scenes.
“The local community of Worcester has been so supportive and fun,” said Jorné. “I think the loudest, craziest response we’ve gotten so far was a giant roar from the crowd after Negan cracked a walker with his bat.”
Luna added, “Dead City” is a fabulous film production with a well-established audience nationally and internationally. It is reported that the TV Series has a huge audience in Europe and South America (especially in Brazil).”
All photos by Josh Wingell Photography unless otherwise noted
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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