New Clueless series, Rockford Files reboot land California tax credits

Jamie Lee Curtis (left) stars in Newlyweds, while Viola Davis leads Ascent

Celeste Sloman/AB + DM

The forthcoming Clueless series and the reboot of classic detective drama The Rockford Files are among nine TV projects set to benefit from the second year of California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program.

State governor Gavin Newsom said the new phase of the initiative, also known as Program 4.0, will deliver US$608m in direct production spending and support 3,000 jobs for cast and crew.

Clueless, produced by CBS Studios for Paramount+, was greenlit last month and stars Alicia Silverstone, reprising her role from the hit 1995 film as Beverly Hills it-girl Cher Horowitz. NBC’s The Rockford Files, meanwhile, comes from Universal Television and is a contemporary update of the classic series originally starring James Garner.

Other debut shows include Jamie Lee Curtis’s new NBC comedy Newlyweds, starring Téa Leoni and Tim Daly; Paramount+ thriller series Ascent, starring Viola Davis; and three untitled projects from Netflix, Disney Entertainment Television and Amazon.

Recurring shows that have made the list are Love Comes Softly S2 (LCS Productions) and S.W.A.T. Exiles S2 (Sony Pictures Television).

Newsom launched the expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program last summer, with the US$750m initiative near doubling the previous state tax credit of US$330m. His office claims the inaugural round delivered 170 projects across film and TV and generated US$6.6bn in direct production spend.

Program 4.0 is seen as a major part of efforts to reverse the scourge of runaway production from Hollywood. Politicians hope to lure filming back to inactive LA soundstages and prevent the migration of creative talent to rival states and international territories with more aggressive incentive schemes.

Newsom said: “California has been a pioneer in film and television production. With the expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program, we’re able to shine a spotlight on the talent and creativity the Golden State has to offer, while also generating new jobs and fair wages.

“Just as it did in its first year, the second year of the expanded tax credit plans to continue exceeding expectations and generate billions in economic activity – solidifying California’s competitive edge in entertainment and expanding opportunities for today’s workforce.”