TV pilot being shot in Penticton produced by Kevin Costner

Photo: Casey Richardson

Staging area with movie trailer and tents set up in front of Wholesale Club in Penticton

Movie production crews are set up around Penticton, with tents and trailers parked next to the Penticton Lakeside Resort and in the lot next to the Wholesale Club.

Kevin Costner is a producer and a co-writer of the production that is working on the pilot for the series titled ‘National Parks.’

A member of the crew told Castanet that the actors are off filming in the hills, taping scenes in Skaha Bluffs for the next few days before they move onto Princeton. The tents and trailers are just the set up area for the teams.

They also said the series is in the works to be pitched to Disney+.

Production team members have also taken up conference rooms inside the Penticton Lakeside Resort for COVID-19 testing and socially distanced workspace areas.

A production team media spokesperson was not available for a request for comment on Tuesday.

According to an article published by Variety Magazine in February, the pilot order was picked up by ABC and will showcase national parks' beautiful landscapes mixed in with criminal activity.

“'National Parks' will follow the small group of elite NPS agents as they solve these crimes while protecting these national treasures," the article states.

Actors Billy Campbell and Angel Parker are reported to be cast as series leads.

While the Okanagan Film Commission recently announced a new movie shooting throughout the South Okanagan on Tuesday, the TV pilot was not mentioned.

“It is exciting to have a new production company come to our region to film, it’s always good to be expanding our production company's client base. And what we know is that once they come they keep coming back for all that this region has to offer: the extensive amenities, scenery, locations, weather, services and welcoming communities,” said Jon Summerland, Okanagan Film Commissioner in a press release.