Bloodline, the hit Netflix television series based in the Florida Keys, announced it will return to Florida for season 3 despite the lack of state financial incentives that were available for seasons 1 and 2. Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the Sony Pictures Television-produced series would keep production in Florida.

Sarandos told THR “the one thing that’s cool about Netflix shows is that those locations are characters. In the Hell’s Kitchen shows like “Daredevil”, Hell’s Kitchen is a character – we can’t fake it in Canada. So tax credits are a nice offset but if it doesn’t fit the creative, we’re not going to chase it.”

According to a recent market research study it was estimated that the season 1 of Bloodline was responsible for generating more than 39,000 incremental overnight household trips to the Florida Keys. The report also states, ‘as a result, incremental visits produced more than $65 million in travel spending over the seven months after season 1 launched that would not have otherwise occurred. Additionally, viewers of Bloodline are 20% more likely to positively promote the Florida Keys by word of mouth to their friends and family’.

“This is terrific news for the entire state of Florida and especially the more than 1,000 Floridians that work on the series, this shows that the financial incentive program put in place in 2010 worked!” noted Kelly Paige, President of Film Florida. “Bloodline would not have been written for the Florida Keys had it not been for the initial financial incentive that enticed Netflix and Sony Pictures to make the investment in setting up their Bloodline base in Florida. Our state made the initial investment to bring the series here with incentives for seasons 1 and 2 and that is paying off with the series staying and continuing to produce jobs and foster economic development. Incentives come in many ways, whether it is the initial financial investment Florida made for seasons 1 and 2, and Bloodline taking advantage of the now iconic locations because as we know there is only one Florida Keys.”

As reported by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, MNP LLC and H2R, the overall production and tourism impacts from season 1 of Bloodline totaled $95 million, 1,738 jobs and $9.4 million in state and local taxes. Season 2 of Bloodline launched on Netflix on May 27. Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn have both been nominated for Emmy Awards for their roles in Season 2.

About Film Florida: Film Florida is a not-for-profit entertainment production association that serves a leadership role in Florida’s film, TV, production and digital media industry by representing all aspects of the business including film commissions, industry, labor, associations and education. The growing membership driven organization provides a network, a platform, and the benefits of playing an active part in solidifying Florida’s position as a major production destination, positive economic development driver and tourism generator. For more information about Film Florida visit www.FilmFlorida.org.

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Contact:
Kelly Paige, President kpaige@leveltalentgroup.com, 727-254-0025
John Lux, Executive Director jlux@filmflorida.org, 407-494-6195