A Utah landscape dominates a scene from the first season of "Marshals," a TV show on CBS. The second season of the show also will shoot in Utah, spending about $60 million in the state. (Courtesy Utah Film Commission)
The state of Utah has greenlit — in its own way — a slew of TV and film productions over the past few months.
The Utah Board of Tourism Development in June approved nearly $2.3 million in incentives for five productions to shoot in Utah, with in-state spending expected to reach over $9.2 million.
The June approvals came on the heels of seven productions awarded incentives in March — with in-state spending totaling $12.6 million in Utah and incentives reaching nearly $3.2 million — and April’s six productions approved for nearly $17.7 million, based on Utah spending of about $69.5 million. April was highlighted by the second season of “Marshals,” which airs on CBS and will spend about $60 million in Utah.
The productions approved for incentives in June are expected to shoot in five counties and create over 400 jobs. Most of the entirely Utah-shot productions will be shown on the festival circuit.
“Utah has always been a welcoming landscape for independent voices,” said Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission. “The state remains a place where stories from both established and emerging talent can thrive and new careers can launch.”
“Quitters,” a 2019 short film now becoming an episodic production, was approved in June for an incentive of up to $1.1 million, based on Utah spending of about $4.47 million. Shooting will take place in Summit and Wasatch counties and involve 133 cast and crew and 900 extras. Post-production continues through November.
“One of Us,” an independent feature film, was awarded a cash incentive of up to $627,250, based on in-state spending of about $2.5 million in Utah. Shooting will take place in Salt Lake, Utah and Wasatch counties and involve 90 cast and crew and 300 extras. Post-production takes place through November.
The independent feature film “Runner’s High” will shoot in Salt Lake and Summit counties and highlight the world of distance running. The production will include 93 cast and crew and 200 extras and spend about $2 million. Its incentive is for up to $501,268. Post-production continues through September.
The independent short film “Abide with Me” was approved for a cash incentive of up to $26,033, based on Utah spending of $130,166. Shooting locations include Juab and Salt Lake counties, with 24 cast and crew and two extras. Post-production takes place through July.
The independent short film “A New Address,” will shoot in Salt Lake and Utah counties and will be used by nonprofits to educate new NICU families. The production will employ 70 cast and crew and 10 extras and spend $100,000 in the state. Its cash incentive is for up to $20,000. Post-production continues through September.
Productions awarded incentives in April are expected to create 1,000 jobs and film in six counties. The second season of “Marshals” will shoot in Salt Lake, Summit and Wasatch counties and involve 717 cast and crew and 2,200 extras. Shooting entirely in Utah, the production was approved for a tax credit incentive of up to $15 million spread over multiple fiscal years. Post-production takes place through June of next year.
“Utah has provided an incredible backdrop for ‘Marshals’ and we’re happy to be back in the state for Season 2,” said Drew Brown, executive vice president of production for Paramount Television Studios. “The support of the Utah Film Commission, through the incentive program, access to their vast local knowledge, and experienced crews, paired with the stunning and diverse landscapes the state has to offer, made it an easy choice to return to Utah for production.”
Other productions receiving incentives in April are “Brotherhood: A Cinematic Musical,” shooting in Salt Lake and Tooele counties; “Las Vegas Therapy,” in Salt Lake, Tooele and Washington counties; “No Screens Christmas,” a Hallmark Channel production filming in Salt Lake and Utah counties; and an untitled barbecue competition show, shooting in Washington County and airing on the Food Network.
Incentives approved in March are expected to employ over 600 people in 11 counties. They are led by an as-yet-unnamed Warner Bros. production that will debut in spring of 2027. It will spend $4.6 million in Utah — despite Utah being only 10 percent of its filming — and employ more than 175 jobs. Its incentive is for about $1.15 million.
Other productions getting incentives in March are “Creation: Rita Deanin Abbey,” shooting in Emery, Grand, Kane and Washington counties; “Miracles in Motion,” in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Wasatch counties; “Noah’s Big Adventure,” in Summit County; the second season of “Lulubug’s Garden,” in Utah County; “Salt & Honey,” in Carbon and Sevier counties; and “One Beautiful Life,” in Davis, Salt Lake, Summit and Wasatch counties.
