Alyssa Milano has renewed her calls to boycott the state of Georgia, where she is currently filming the second season of Netflix’s “Insatiable,” after Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation this week banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.
“I will do everything in my power to get as many productions as possible — including ‘Insatiable’ — to move out of this state which continues to put forth oppressive, hurtful policy that contradicts everything the entertainment industry stands for,” Milano said in a statement.
Milano’s statement comes after Killer Films CEO Christine Vachon and “The Wire” and “The Deuce” creator David Simon said Thursday that they would no longer consider Georgia as a production location so long as the law stays in place.
“Should people wait to boycott? No. Should we keep funding states that put forth hurtful policy? No,” Milano said, noting that she is “contractually obligated” to continue shooting “Insatiable” in the state for another month. “If you are offered a project that shoots in Georgia or are a producer considering working in Georgia or any state with a heartbeat bill, you should not take that job and you should be vocal about why you’re not taking that job.”
A spokesperson for Netflix had no comment. Representatives for CBS Productions and Ryan Seacrest Productions, which are producers on “Insatiable,” have not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
On Tuesday, Kemp signed a so-called “heartbeat bill” banning abortions in the state if a fetal heartbeat can be detected — though the legislation does include exceptions to save the life of the mother or for rape or incest if the mother files a police report. The law would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020 unless it is blocked in the courts; legal challenges are expected.
Milano has been outspoken about the issue since March, when the bill was approved in the Georgia General Assembly. She called for a boycott, delivering a letter signed by other prominent Hollywood actors like Amy Schumer, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Uzo Aduba and Colin Hanks, to Kemp’s office.
“I have had discussions with many actors, producers and directors. All of them have agreed they will not work in Georgia,” she added in her statement to TheWrap, though she did not identify any by name. “The entertainment industry supplements $10 billion a year and employs 90,000 Georgians. Those who signed on to my letter to Kemp believe we can not continue to feed the economy of a state which hurts women, communities of color, and the LGBTQ community.”
She added: “Obviously, those who are already contractually obligated to be there, should fight to get their show out of Georgia while continuing their contractual obligation. I have to be there for another three weeks but you can be sure I will fight tooth and nail to move ‘Insatiable’ to a state that will protect our rights. And if it doesn’t move to another state, I will not be able to return to the show if we are blessed with a third season. This is my leverage. I will use it for the betterment of society and our great country.”
“Film and television production in Georgia supports more than 92,000 jobs and brings significant economic benefits to communities and families,” Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) spokesman Chris Ortman said in a statement. “It is important to remember that similar legislation has been attempted in other states, and has either been enjoined by the courts or is currently being challenged. The outcome in Georgia will also be determined through the legal process. We will continue to monitor developments.”
The Washington Post notes that Georgia passed a tax credit over a decade ago in which productions can collect up to 30% of its budget if filmed in the state, resulting in the studio either saving money or enabling an increase in the project’s budget.
Films like Fox’s “Fear Street” and Netflix’s “Holidate” are currently filming in the state. Fox had no comment. According to ExploreGeorgia.org, the state’s official tourism website, shows like “Ozark,” “The Real World,” and “The Walking Dead” are all currently filming in Georgia. The sequel to “Jumanji” just wrapped production there, as did Steven Spielberg’s “Amazing Stories” and Will Smith’s “Bad Boys for Life.” “Avengers: Infinity War” was also shot there. For a comprehensive list of all films shot in Georgia from 1972 to present, click here.
The Georgia Film Commission had no comment.
In a statement to TheWrap, the Motion Picture Association of America said, “Film and television production in Georgia supports more than 92,000 jobs and brings significant economic benefits to communities and families. It is important to remember that similar legislation has been attempted in other states, and has either been enjoined by the courts or [is] currently being challenged. The outcome in Georgia will also be determined through the legal process. We will continue to monitor developments.”
Jeremy Fuster contributed to this report.