Sewickley ready for its Netflix closeup
Several Sewickley residents and businesses are ready to see how the borough looks on the small screen via a new Netflix dramedy.
“The Chair,” a six-episode production written by executive producer Amanda Peet, is slated to be released Aug. 20.
It stars Golden Globe-winner Sandra Oh of “Killing Eve,” David Duchovny of “The X-Files” and Emmy-winner Jay Duplass from “Transparent.”
Part of the show was filmed along Sewickley’s business district in March. Netflix crews were working along Beaver Street across from Thomas Jewelers.
“I’m excited to see how many businesses got to make the cut,” said shop owner Justin “the Jeweler” Thomas. “I’ll check it out when I get a chance. You never know with movies and the angles they have whether they caught your business or not.”
Some cast and crew members stopped in to the local shops while on location.
Thomas said he would welcome more film companies to the borough.
“It’s a nice little town, a little older looking and we’ve had some unique businesses,” Thomas said. “I don’t mind as long as they don’t do it on the weekends.”
On IMDB, the plot is described as “the trials and tribulations of the chair of an English department at a major university.”
Its trailer was recently released.
Location manager Eric DiLucente said the Sewickley shoots went great and the borough was very supportive.
“I’m definitely excited for it,” he said. “It’s a great show to work on. (We had) such a tremendous crew. Sewickley was a really great partner, and I think it’s going to show very nicely on camera. The community couldn’t have been easier to deal with, for sure.”
Filming took place up and down Beaver Street as well as at the Wolcott Park gazebo. Police assisted with traffic control.
DiLucente said he has not seen the show’s rough cut, but is confident residents will be able to recognize their town.
“The idea was to show that small-town feel, that college-town feel, and you definitely have that in Sewickley,” he said. “The police did a tremendous job. It’s not easy rerouting people. Everybody has a way of doing things every day. The easier it is to shoot, the more we’re able to get all our filming completed on any given day. And in Sewickley, you’re able to do that.”
Netflix officials also kept the safety of residents and businesses as well as their crews in mind when filming. Covid safety measures included all crew members wearing masks and face shields, daily temperature checks and covid tests at least three times a week.
DiLucente is currently working with Sony-Amazon Studios on its streaming series based on the 1992 movie “A League of Their Own” and said he would not be surprised if officials decided to use some Sewickley houses in the series.
Amazon ordered the reimagining of the Penny Marshall-directed movie to series in August 2020. The series was developed by Jacobson and writer Will Graham (“Mozart in the Jungle,” “Alpha House”).
Councilwoman Julie Barnes said the borough frequently receives filming requests, whether it is for a TV series, movies or commercials.
“We have to weigh each request individually to make sure it’s not imposing, but I think people like to have the filming here. I think they like to see Sewickley on TV. I’m generally in favor of it, but I would weigh each request individually.”
Council voted Feb. 9 to approve a request for roving closures of several streets and the use of five police officers during “The Chair” filming.
“I think that Sewickley has everything (productions looks for),” Barnes said. “It has the historic look. It has the library and the bank and the restaurants. There are not a lot of towns like this where you can just easily walk to everything in a small area. It makes (this town) special.”
Netflix’s filming took place on a Monday in March while many Sewickley businesses were closed, which helped minimize disruptions.
Sewickley had a taste of Hollywood last year when parts of the Christmas romantic comedy “Happiest Season” were filmed there.
Thomas Jewelers’ building can briefly be seen in that movie.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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