‘NCIS: New Orleans’ Returns For Season 5; CBS Series Has Generated Nearly $300 Million In Louisiana Spending To Date
NEW ORLEANS — The hit prime-time series NCIS: New Orleans has been renewed for a fifth season, extending for another year the substantial economic investment in Louisiana by CBS Television Studios. The show’s production maintains a year-round presence in Louisiana and supports hundreds of jobs, with an estimated Louisiana payroll of $51.9 million and total estimated Louisiana spending of $78.1 million for Season 4.
With a fifth season, NCIS: New Orleans becomes the longest-running scripted, episodic TV series to film in Louisiana since the state’s entertainment incentive program was launched in 2002. The series has accounted for Louisiana payroll of $139.9 million and total Louisiana spending of $290.7 million since its inception, based on final, audited totals for the pilot and first two seasons and estimated totals awaiting final certification for the third and fourth seasons.
“Louisiana Economic Development congratulates CBS Television Studios on renewing the successful NCIS: New Orleans series for another season,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “We are pleased to support this popular production and its talented staff, which will likely generate more than $40 million in Louisiana payroll over the course of the season in Louisiana. We are delighted that the small business community in our state will share in more than $70 million in estimated Louisiana spending by the production.”
The show stars Scott Bakula as chief of a Navy investigation team based in New Orleans. Co-stars are Lucas Black, Rob Kerkovich, CCH Pounder, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell and Vanessa Ferlito. Production is continuing in and around New Orleans at this time on the show’s fourth season.
In a welcoming message for the inaugural Louisiana Entertainment Summit in Baton Rouge last month, Bakula lauded the collaborative partnership with the state, industry labor, and local businesses as vital to the show’s success.
“On behalf of our cast and crew, I want to thank the State of Louisiana for its partnership, which has made the continued success of NCIS: New Orleans possible,” Bakula said. “From our dedicated and experienced Louisiana crew to the unsurpassed support our series receives from local businesses, we feel the love from the City of New Orleans and this great state, day-in and day-out, so thank you. NCIS: New Orleans wouldn’t be able to attain our signature look if it weren’t for the opportunities we have to shoot the series all over the great state of Louisiana.”
Bakula’s video message to Louisiana entertainment industry stakeholders may be viewed here: Scott Bakula statement.
In addition to NCIS: New Orleans, CBS Television Studios has filmed nine other projects in Louisiana in recent years. These include three scripted series (Star Crossed, Common Law and Zoo), four TV pilots, a TV movie of the week and several episodes of the daytime talk show, The Talk. Collectively, those nine additional productions have accounted for more than $100 million in total Louisiana spending, including $50 million in Louisiana payroll.
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