Fall Start Date for Amazon’s ‘Barbershop’ Series to Begin Filming in Chicago
The iconic franchise is back. Earlier this summer, SCREEN broke the news that Amazon Prime Video’s new Barbershop TV series would be filming in Chicago this Fall, and now we have a target start date. Sources tell SCREEN Barbershop will begin filming in Chicago on or near October 20th. The series will be headquartered at Cinespace, with production offices opening at the end of this month.
The show will connect to the universe of the Barbershop film franchise, with Jermaine Fowler attached to star. Marshall Todd, who co-wrote the original film, is writing the series and executive producing.
The official description states the show “revolves around Travis ‘Trav’ Porter (Fowler), who endeavors to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, a legendary barber at the iconic ‘Calvin’s’ barbershop in Chicago. And while the barbers are new, the shop remains just as lively, the customers just as argumentative, and the fades are still the dopest in the city — because at Calvin’s, the community comes together for way more than just a haircut.”
Chicago’s own George L. Tillman and Robert Teitel of State Street Pictures – the engine behind the original Barbershop movies – will be on board as executive producers.
Let’s take a quick trip back to 2002 and the original Barbershop, here’s the trailer from the box office hit…
As for the rest of the team, Max Searle serves as executive producer and co-showrunner. Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, and Mike Stein for executive produce via Hartbeat Productions. Cameron Burnett and Autumn Bailey-Ford executive produce on behalf of Prominent Productions, with Bradley Gardner of Busy B Entertainment also executive producing. Tiffany Brown will co-executive produce for Hartbeat. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.
“We are thrilled to announce a new series based on the hilarious and innovative world of ‘Barbershop’ for our global Prime Video customers,” said Vernon Sanders, global head of television at Amazon MGM Studios. “The television adaptation of this iconic film franchise is in excellent hands with co-showrunners Max Searle and Marshall Todd. We couldn’t be happier with their collaboration and hard work to bring Calvin’s Chicago-based barbershop to life for a new audience on Prime Video.”
As for the star of the show, Jermaine Fowler, an accomplished stand up comedian, broke out onscreen with his starring role in the CBS multi-cam “Superior Donuts.” His other TV credits include the FX limited series “A Murder at the End of the World” and the truTV sketch comedy series “Friends of the People.” He will next be seen in the Tracy Morgan comedy series “Crutch” at Paramount+ and “Only Murders in the Building” Season 5. Fowler has starred in films like “Coming 2 America,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” and “Ricky Stanicky.”
Here’s rollicking round of standup comedy from Fowler…
The first “Barbershop” film was released in 2002 followed by sequels in 2004 and 2016. There was also the spinoff film “Beauty Shop” starring Queen Latifah in 2005. The three main films have grossed nearly $200 million worldwide.
Many more announcements ahead for this exciting new series heading to Chicago. Check back here at SCREEN for the latest news on TV, film and advertising production between the coasts. You can also click right here to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.
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