RICHMOND, Va. — Lights. Camera. Action. The Civil War drama series Mercy Street will return to Central Virginia for a second season, the governor’s office announced Wednesday. Filming will begin later in 2016. The first season, filmed in and around Richmond last year, is currently airing on PBS.
“I am so pleased that Mercy Street has already had such tremendous success and will be returning to Virginia to film season two,” Governor Terry McAuliffe said in a statement. “This outstanding show is a great illustration of the enormous opportunities Virginia offers to film and television producers and to tourists who enjoy history and natural beauty. I hope all Virginians will continue to support Mercy Street and take advantage of our many exceptional Civil War sites and attractions, particularly those in Alexandria, where the original story of Mercy Street took place, and in Central Virginia where the PBS series is filmed.”
PBS executive Beth Hoppe called Virginia’s exceptional crew and actors “integral to the series’ success.”
The series is inspired by real events that took place at Mansion House, an Alexandria hotel owned by a Southern family that was turned into a Union hospital during the Civil War. The series follows two volunteer nurses on opposite sides of the conflict: Mary Phinney, a staunch New England abolitionist, and Emma Green, a willful young Confederate belle. The series explores rarely-examined aspects of the Civil War, including the way in which the need for healing the wounded and sick helped to advance modern medicine, and the impact the challenges of war had on women’s roles in society.
When the stars of Mercy Street were in Richmond last Spring, they showed off the city on their social media accounts.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who plays Nurse Mary Phinney, a feisty New Englander and widow who is a newcomer at Mansion House Hospital, asks a practical question about her costume.
Winstead, a North Carolina native, seems to be happy enjoying springtime on the East Coast.
It seems the actress got some time off of the set to enjoy a Canal cruise.
Actress Tara Summers, who plays Anne Hastings on MERCY STREET, enjoys Richmond’s public art.
Finally I get to use this 🗽🗽🗽 #ladyliberty #Richmond #Virginia
Summers, who you’ve seen in BOSTON LEGAL, STALKER and RAKE, is also complimentary of her co-stars and Richmond’s natural beauty.
Actor Jack Falahee, who plays Frank Stringfellow, seems to be enjoying his time in town.
Fun nights in Richmond. @pedrohuebner creeping
Though the actor, who you’ve seen in HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, did seem a tad jealous of this crew.
kinda wish i was part of that squad.
Actor Cameron Monaghan, who plays Tom Fairfax, spent some of his time in town learning about the city’s history.
We have yet to find Instagram accounts for or recent photos from MERCY STREET cast members Josh Radnor (HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER), Gary Cole (VEEP, THE GOOD WIFE, OFFICE SPACE), Peter Gerety (THE WIRE), McKinley Belcher III (MADAM SECRETARY, CHICAGO PD), Shalita Grant (NCIS: NEW ORLEANS) and Hannah James, but we trust they too are enjoying their time in Richmond.
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