April 6. 2020 • Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
In August of 2019, the Hudson Valley Film Commission started work on the David Simon HBO series THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA, based on the Philip Roth novel. It was the 4th HBO series to film in the region. Over a 5-day period, the production spent over $200,000 on LOCAL locations, venues, vendors, crew, cast members and lodging. 1,397 hotel rooms were rented. Among the many referrals, the film commission recommended very specific locations, and found an excavating company to build a road for the movie. A casting call was done in conjunction with Grant Wilfley Casting.
"Working in the Hudson Valley for THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA was a truly enjoyable experience," said line producer Joe Guest. "It was a beautiful time of year to work upstate and the people, towns and communities were tremendously supportive and friendly. The Hudson Valley Film Commission provided exceptional support from day one. With their support, we found great locations and quality local vendors & crew. Our show was set in the 1940s, which meant greater demands from the local area, and on a tight time frame. We found everything we were looking for locally - 1940’s picture cars, props and period-correct set dressing, facility support, a local contractor who built us a dirt road, a horse wrangler, the list goes on. Everyone went out of their way to ‘make it happen’ for us. A big plus - almost every day we managed to find ourselves at yet another restaurant with wonderful food and drink, and coffee. Overall an excellent experience. We look forward to our next opportunity to work in upstate New York.”
HBO has released the first promo for THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA’s upcoming fourth episode, featuring Morgan Spector’s Herman Levin and Zoe Kazan’s Bess Levin as their son continues to idolize Charles Lindberg under the influence of his aunt Winona Ryder’s Evelyn. Directed by Thomas Schlamme from a script written by co-creator David Simon and Reena Rexrode, the new episode is set to premiere on April 6.
Based on the novel by Philip Roth, THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA six-part miniseries imagines an alternate American history told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they watch the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist who becomes president and turns the nation toward fascism.
The series stars Golden Globe winner Winona Ryder (Stranger Things) as Evelyn Finkel, Golden Globe nominee John Turturro (The Night Of) as Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf and Emmy nominee Zoe Kazan (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Olive Kitteridge) as Elizabeth “Bess” Levin. It will also feature Morgan Spector (Homeland) as Herman Levin, Anthony Boyle (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as Alvin Levin, Azhy Robertson (Juliet, Naked) as Philip Levin, and newcomer Caleb Malis as Sandy Levin.
THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA is written and executive produced by David Simon and Ed Burns. Joe Roth, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, Nina K. Noble, Annapurna’s Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, and Susan Goldberg will also executive produce. Co-executive producers include Dennis Stratton and Philip Roth.
For more information or to watch the series, visit HBO.