Ohio is pumping $1.3 million in development dollars into film projects across the state, including the second season of an “Amish Mysteries” series that will feature the Canton area.
“Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Season 2, Part 1” will receive $618,368, according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Development. At least some of the second season apparently is being filmed in the Canton area. Details were unavailable from the state agency.
The new round of funding is being issued through the Motion Picture Tax Credit program to one feature film, three series and a documentary.
What is ‘Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries?’
The first season of “Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries” features actors Denise Gossett and her daughter Riley Beeson, according to a news release from Marie Parks of P.M.T Publicity.
Gossett is known for her roles in “Get the Gringo” with Mel Gibson,” “The Office,” The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Zoey 101.”
She also has a role in “A Christmas Drawn Together,” a movie filmed earlier this year in Stark and Carroll counties, including Minerva. Filming locations also included the Heartland on Heritage wedding venue in the Magnolia area.
Duane Abel, a Carroll County native and cartoonist, wrote the script for “A Christmas Drawn Together,” a Hallmark-style movie scheduled for release this Christmas season.
Beeson is known for her roles in the independent films “Hope” and “Migrants.”
How to watch ‘Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries’
“Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries” stars Galadriel Stineman as Cheryl Cooper, a woman who arrives in town after a breakup and quickly finds herself fast friends with Gossett’s character Naomi Miller.
“The duo are pulled into a mystery that leads them into the heart of the Amish community,” said the news release from P.M.T Publicity. “Blending cozy mystery elements with heartfelt storytelling, the series is based on the popular ‘Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries’ book series.”
“Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries” is available to watch on UPtv, a cable television network focused on family-friendly programming, including original movies.
Premiering on UPtv and the Roku Channel this month, the series expands on the story that began with the movie “Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise,” and features eight episodes set in Sugarcreek in Tuscarawas County.
Starting April 23, “Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries” will be shown at 9 p.m. Thursdays on UPtv. The series is also available for streaming on Up Faith & Family, a platform focusing on faith and family-friendly entertainment.
Films make economic impact
All of the Ohio film projects awarded Motion Picture Tax Credit funding are expected to create more than 17 new jobs and more than $3 million in new payroll and have an estimated economic impact of more than $4.4 million, the Department of Development said.
The Motion Picture Tax Credit program provides a refundable tax credit of 30% on production cast and crew wages and other eligible in-state spending for qualifying productions.
Also receiving funding are:
Multiple Stark County film projects collectively received more than $12 million in funding last year through the Motion Picture Tax Credit program.
The projects included 11 films, four television mini-series, five full television series, four Broadway/theater productions, two documentaries and one digital media project.
Two films set to be produced in North Canton are: “10 Cent,” which received $3,657,702 and “The Christmastyme Traveller,” which received $3,066,631, according to the Department of Development.
A film being produced in Canton, titled “Sunny,” received $8,483,314. The other Canton project was a TV mini-series listed as the “Buggy and Beyond Entertainment LLC Project,” which received $757,800.
Also last year, the movie “Carousel” was among the feature films receiving grants from the Department of Development. “Carousel” received $517,137, and filmed in Medina and other Northeast Ohio locations, including Akron-Canton Airport in September.
The movie stars Chris Pine and Jenny Slate. Pine is known for lead roles in “Star Trek Beyond,” “Wonder Woman” and other films. Slate has appeared in the movies “I Want You Back,” “Venom” and “Gifted.”
Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit was created in 2009
Funding applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis year-round, the Department of Development said.
Each fiscal year will have a $50 million allocation plus any rollover amounts from preceding periods.
The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit was created in 2009 to encourage and develop a strong film industry in Ohio. The application and additional program information can be found at development.ohio.gov/film.
“The Motion Picture Tax Credit brings producers and stars to Ohio, creating opportunities for local businesses, skilled trades, and the creative sector,” Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, said in an emailed statement. “These projects generate jobs and new payroll while driving spending in communities across the state. From series and documentaries to major films like ‘Superman,’ we’re building a stronger creative economy here in Ohio.”
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com and follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries’ TV series receives state funding
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
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