Westworld, HBO’s hit sci-fi Western drama starring Sir Anthony Hopkins that brought plenty of work to Santa Clarita’s film ranches in its breakout debut season, will be back for at least another ten episodes, HBO said on Monday. But if filming does come back to the Valley, it might take a while. HBO said that Westworld’s second season probably won’t air until 2018, to give producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy time to write and shoot the episodes. Westworld was produced on a $54 million budget, and received $12 million in tax credits from the California Film Commission for production that took place in the state.
While cautioning that there’s no guarantee the show will again shoot in Santa Clarita, Evan Thomason, economic development associate in the City of Santa Clarita’s Film Office, hopes the production will be back. Work at several local film ranches provided employment for a cast and crew in the hundreds. “HBO has a long history of producing quality shows in the Santa Clarita Valley, going back to Deadwood and earlier,” Thomason said, “and provided a substantial economic benefit to the Valley. It’s great to have them in our community.”