In an ironic twist of fate, Netflix’s third series of political drama House of Cards has been put on hold by real-life politics, as producers await the outcome of two bills in Maryland to ensure the show receives more tax breaks in future.
Series producer Media Rights Capital has pushed shooting on the third series from spring to summer of this year at the earliest while it looks at other options for filming locations. The first two series were both shot in Maryland and received extensive tax breaks – to the tune of $11m for Series 1 and $15m for Series 2 – to help production.
Maryland’s current cap on tax credits is set at $7.5m, but MRC is seeking another $15m boost for its third series of the Emmy-nominated House of Cards. Two bills, currently awaiting consideration in committee, would allow for a higher limit of up to $18.5m.
Charlie Goldstein, MRC’s Senior Vice-President of Television Production, sent a letter to several politicians in Maryland in an attempt to push the bills through, threatening the production would have to move states if enough funding was not available:
‘In the event sufficient incentives do not become available, we will have to break down our stage, sets and offices and set up in another state.’
This has caused much debate in Maryland, with MRC’s website arguing House of Cards contributes to the local economy:
‘[Series 1] resulted in the local hiring of 2,193 Maryland crew, cast and extras, and the production purchased or rented goods or services from 1,814 Maryland vendors.’
But a contentious hearing in the Maryland Legislature last week saw rise to such comments as:
‘Is it possible they would just leave after we gave them $31m?’
With more than 4,000 jobs created by the production, however, it seems it would be in Maryland’s best interests to give higher tax breaks to the show, left as they are with no other options.
Threatening to pull out might seem harsh of a company that has no doubt generated millions in profits from House of Cards, but it’s a move Frank Underwood would no doubt be proud of…
House of Cards‘ second series is streaming now on Netflix, starring Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Michael Kelly and Ben Daniels.
Source: Deadline
