New TV show based on a police task force is filming in Jackson. Here's what to expect
Move over Hollywood, the stars are filming in a new location: Jackson, Mississippi
Curtis Nichouls, owner of production company Sweet Unknown South, wants to film a new television series in Mississippi's capital city.
The show is based on a special police task force and is called "The Warrant Unit." It is similar to HBO's "The Wire" — an early 2000s television show that follows a police task force in Baltimore investigating a local drug kingpin.
Nichouls wants to use city-owned buildings such as Jackson City Hall, the mayor's office and the Jackson Police Department headquarters to film his latest show.
He also told Jackson City Council members that the show would be great for the city because it is set in Jackson and will bring more people and jobs to the city during filming. On Tuesday, he got a unanimous vote from the Jackson City Council to allow the buildings to be used.
“The show is set in Jackson, Mississippi. It deals with politics. It deals with the police department. It deals with the fire department, hospitals, everything," Nichouls told Council members during their Tuesday meeting. "Something like this would bring jobs to Mississippi, annual jobs."
Filming is set to begin in October and last through December.
New technology for police department: Jackson Police Department reveals new technology to improve safety in high-speed chases
This will be Sweet Unknown South's second production in the capital city. In 2021, the production company filmed the movie "A Day to Die" in Jackson, which starred Bruce Willis.
Television series production will benefit the city even more than movie production, Nichouls said.
“Movies are good, but television shows bring people here and have them actually live here," Nichouls said. "You’re looking at A-list actors, Oscar-nominated actresses coming here and being here for months on end, spending money in the community, hiring people in the community."
Because the show is based on police officers, Nichouls said he wants it to show Jackson police. More over, he wants the show to highlight the positive aspects of the city.
"I want it to be something we can be proud of and show that Jackson police are community partners," he said. "I want to show our court systems. We're going to be using Judge Kidd's courtroom. We're going to be using the mayor's office. We're going to be using the police department right across the street. Keeping it close (and) showing the city of Jackson to be bigger than what you might see on '60 Minutes.'"
Jackson City Council vs "60 Minutes:" Council condemns CBS show 60 Minutes for portrayal of Jackson. See what they did
Nichouls and his production company are partnering with Jackson State University, Jackson Public Schools, Tougaloo College and Hinds Community College in Utica.
After Nichouls spoke, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba thanked Nichouls for his work, saying it not only showcases Jackson but also helps with economic development.
Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley was supportive of the project but asked Nichouls to capture the efforts the city is making to reduce crime.
"We are feverishly working on our crime issues," Hartley said. "We would like that you capture the hard work that we're doing. Sometimes media may come in and they have a negative slant to it (the city). But we ask that you capture in a positive way that we are in fact working hard on a lot of the issues that are all around the country."
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: New TV Show "The Warrant Unit" is set to film in Jackson
