Production companies announce filming boycott in Georgia over 'heartbeat' abortion law


Some Hollywood producers are calling cut on Georgia after the signing of a new abortion law.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) on Tuesday signed into law a bill banning most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. Thanks to its tax credits, the state has become a popular filming location for some of the biggest movies and TV shows in the world, from Avengers: Endgame to The Walking Dead. Celebrities from Don Cheadle to Ben Stiller signed a letter written by Alyssa Milano in March saying they would do "everything in our power to move our industry to a safer state" should the bill become law.
Now, three production companies have announced a Georgia filming boycott. The Wire creator David Simon says Blown Deadline Productions, which produces shows like HBO's The Deuce, won't film in Georgia "until we can be assured the health options and civil liberties of our female colleagues are unimpaired."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Christine Vachon, the CEO of Killer Films, also said her studio won't consider Georgia for any projects "until this ridiculous law is overturned." Killer Films in recent years has produced acclaimed movies like First Reformed, Carol, and Vox Lux.
Mark Duplass, whose company has produced shows like HBO's Room 104 and movies like Netflix's Paddleton, also tweeted his pledge not to film in Georgia, and most recently, producer Neal Dodson said CounterNarrative Films, which has produced movies like Netflix's Triple Frontier, joined in on the boycott. Milano told BuzzFeed News that if Netflix's Insatiable continues to film in Georgia, she won't return to star in it.
The Motion Picture Association of America has not similarly called for a boycott, telling The Hollywood Reporter that film production in the state supports almost 100,000 jobs and that, since similar legislation in other states has faced legal challenges, "the outcome in Georgia will also be determined through the legal process."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
How to create a healthy 'germier' home
Under The Radar Exposure to a broad range of microbes can enhance our immune system, especially during childhood
-
George Floyd: Did Black Lives Matter fail?
Feature The momentum for change fades as the Black Lives Matter Plaza is scrubbed clean
-
National debt: Why Congress no longer cares
Feature Rising interest rates, tariffs and Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill could sent the national debt soaring
-
Crypto firm Coinbase hacked, faces SEC scrutiny
Speed Read The Securities and Exchange Commission has also been investigating whether Coinbase misstated its user numbers in past disclosures
-
Starbucks baristas strike over dress code
speed read The new uniform 'puts the burden on baristas' to buy new clothes, said a Starbucks Workers United union delegate
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect