December 12, 2023

Film crews working on Ridley Scott's 'Sinking Spring' spotted in Philly, including at the Franklin Institute

The AppleTV+ series based on author Dennis Tafoya's novel 'Dope Thief' had paused production during the writers and actors strikes

By Michaela Althouse
PhillyVoice Staff

Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice

Ridley Scott is developing Dennis Tafoya's book 'Dope Thief' into an 8-episode series for AppleTV and filming scene in and around Philadelphia. On Monday, crews were at the Franklin Institute.

After pausing for the Hollywood writers' strike, film crews have returned to Philly to continue work on Ridley Scott's latest production.

"Sinking Spring" (previously known as "Catamount") was filming at the Franklin Institute on Monday, according to local photographer HughE Dillon. AppleTV+ confirmed crews were in the city and would be here for several more weeks.

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The 8-episode series is an adaption of "Dope Thief," a 2009 book from the Philly-native author Dennis Tafoya. Crews were originally slated to film in the area from February through the summer but halted due to the writers' strike.

The Apple TV+ show stars Brian Tyree Henry, Amir Arison, Marin Ireland and Kate Mulgrew. It tells the story of two friends attempting to rob a house while posing as Drug Enforcement Administration agents. Unbeknownst to them, they target a huge narcotics operation.

So excited to see the movie trucks back. Sinking Springs has resumed filming in Philadelphia or as I like to call phillywood they were disrupted in the middle of filming when the actor strike occurred six months ago. Filming @TheFranklin pic.twitter.com/kpQWrt0jaH
— PhillyChitChat (@HughE_Dillon) December 11, 2023

The Greater Philadelphia Film Office declined to provide more information about the shoot, such as other locations "Sinking Spring" will be using in the city. It was previously reported that the series also also is using locations in Bucks County, and on Friday, Redditors spotted crews filming at Fourth and Spring Garden streets in Northern Liberties.

Apple is filming Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Dope Thief in Northern Liberties. Security and no parking signs all over. pic.twitter.com/PTrxEqR075
— Shealyn Kilroy (@shealynkilroy) December 8, 2023

Ridley Scott is producing and directing "Sinking Spring." His resume includes work on dozens films, among them "Alien," "Thelma & Louise," "Black Hawk Down" and "The Martian." Among his most recent movies are "A Haunting in Venice," starring Upper Darby-native Tina Fey, and "Napoleon," another AppleTV+ production.