Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • V014

15 July 21. 2017 venue 14 BY ADRIAN GOMEZ JOURNAL ARTS EDITOR idnight, is about a mysterious safe haven for those who are different. For months, viewers and fans have waited patiently for the drama to premiere on NBC. The cast has a panel at San Diego Comic Con this weekend, and when the series pilot airs at 9 p.m. Monday, July 24, New Mexicans will see familiar scenes, because the series was filmed in Albuquerque, Belen, Bernalillo and Santa Fe.

The series is based on the New York Times best-selling book series by Charlaine Harris author of the novels that inspired hit It tells the story set in a remote Texas town where being normal is really quite strange and only outsiders fit in. home to a vampire, a witch, an angel and a hit woman. That is, until the arrival of a powerful psychic and the murder of one of their own. As the residents fight off outside pressures from ever-suspicious cops, deadly biker gangs, and their own dangerous pasts, they band together and form an unlikely but strong family. is more than a vampire says Jason Lewis, who plays Joe Strong.

series has a lot of heart. The story is great, and the bond that the create is amazing. great about this Cast and crew filmed the 10-episode series from October through February. The production was housed at Albuquerque Studios. According to the New Mexico Film Office, the production employed over 450 New Mexico crew members and about 1,800 New Mexico background talent workers.

Over the course of filming, the cast developed a bond akin to the one of the characters on the show. Along with Lewis, the series also stars Arnaud, Dylan Bruce, Parisa Fitz-Henley, Arielle Kebbel, Peter Mensah, Sarah Ramos and Yule Vazquez. Toward the end of filming, the cast had a consensus of being captivated by New Mexico. Kebbel says. are some of the most beautiful and magical things Lewis says he was also impressed by the cuisine in Albuquerque.

went a lot to Los Poblanos (Historic Inn Organic Lewis says. the filming schedule, we were able to become New Mexicans and explore the area. We all lived here for months and were able to Bruce plays Bobo Winthrop, one of the humans who live in Midnight. think Bobo feels like he has to protect his Bruce says. bond that has been built is amazingly beautiful.

All of the characters have different backgrounds, yet they have built this community of outsiders who are all welcome. a beautiful tv NM-filmed series about town of premieres on NBC COURTESY OF VIRGINIA ABOVE: From left, Dylan Bruce as Bobo, Parisa Fitz-Henley as Fiji, Peter Mensah as Lemuel, Arielle Kebbel as Olivia, Sarah Ramos as Creek, Arnaud as Manfred, Yul as the Rev. Sheehan, Jason Lewis as Joe are the stars of filmed in New Mexico. LEFT: Yul stars in as the Rev. Sheehan.

COURTESY OF CATHY FAR LEFT: Arnaud as Manfred in a scene from COURTESY OF NBC COURTESY OF CATHY From left, Parisa Fitz-Henley as Fiji, Kellee Stewart as Madonna, Sarah Ramos as Creek, Arnaud as Manfred, Arielle Kebbel as Olivia, John Paul Howard as Connor Lovell and Bernardo Saracino as Chuy in a scene from the pilot episode of hour Homecoming Actor who grew up in South Valley films in bosque for tv COURTESY OF VIRGINIA Albuquerque native Bernardo Saracino co-stars in the NBC series in which he plays Chuy Strong. BY ADRIAN GOMEZ JOURNAL ARTS EDITOR ernardo Saracino visited the bosque plenty of times while growing up in the South Valley. The place is familiar. It evokes fond memories. When Saracino was filming an episode for the NBC series in the bosque, he became overwhelmed with emotions.

I was filming in my hometown in an area I know very he says. in the show, the bosque is part of the town called Midnight, Texas. It was surreal. My goal has always been to have a career in my home In the TV series, Saracino plays Chuy Strong. It is his first big network show.

which premieres on Monday, July 24, is based on the book series of the same name by Charlaine Harris, who wrote Southern Vampire which the HBO series was based on. In the town is a sanctuary where psychics, witches, vampires and other mystical creatures can co-exist. What drew Saracino to the part of Chuy Strong is that he has a funny sense of humor. fact that the character is a Latin male is he says. lot of auditions I go on, always auditioning for a gang member or drug user.

This character is nothing like that. in a relationship, and he is in love. very emotional and feels a lot of Saracino got the acting bug when he began doing community theater in elementary school. His mother put him in painting, sports and theater. is the one thing that he says.

was in at the KiMo (Theatre) and never looked back. Saracino, who splits time between Los Angeles and Albuquerque, went to Rio Grande High School. He and his brother lived with his grandparents after he lost his mother and sister. Saracino credits his grandparents for instilling in him the values of hard work and dedication. And what he loves about being part of you watch the show, you realize that all the characters build an extended he says.

The TV series has a lot of buzz surrounding it, and the cast, including Saracino, is at San Diego Comic Con this weekend. just found out I was Saracino says. looking forward to seeing how the fans enjoy the You can follow his adventures at San Diego Comic Con on Twitter heysaracino or on Instagram bernardosaracino. ON TV series which premieres at 9 p.m. Monday, July 24, was filmed in New Mexico..