Workers cleaning up smashed glass from the front window of 17 West Front Street, shattered as part of a scene being filmed for a Netflix limited series. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
Portions of East and West Front Street were being closed to traffic intermittently Tuesday for the filming of an eight-episode Netflix series starring TV and film superstar Claire Danes and actor Matthew Rhys.
A crew with production company 20th Television films an actor driving a Porsche down West Front street for “The Beast Within.” (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
Several crew members on set, as well as the clapperboard they were using and borough film permits identified the title of the production as “The Beast Within.”
An article on the Netflix web site describes the upcoming limited series as the story of an acclaimed writer jolted out of a case of writers’ block when a man moves in next door who had been the leading suspect in his wife’s disappearance. Danes, star of “Homeland” and “Fleishman is in Trouble” and named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential people in the world in 2012, is executive producer and lead actor in the series.
A redbankgreen reporter watched late morning as the roadway was closed between Globe Court and East Front to Maple and West Front for two, roughly 20 minute intervals, then reopened to traffic for more than a half hour before the next shot.
Filming was also interrupted to allow two ambulances to make their way to Riverview Medical Center. According to alerts sent out by the borough and borough digital traffic signs, the intermittent closures are slated to continue until 9 pm.
Notable streetscape alterations include the storefront at 17 West Front Street, the real-life home to JR’s Restaurant, which was converted to the fictional “Roberto’s Pizzeria” for the filming. Plot spoiler: something goes wrong inside Roberto’s, as set workers could be seen cleaning up broken glass from the shattered front window of the store following the conclusion of a scene.
The film shoot was stopped to allow ambulances to get through. (photo by Brian Donohue)
According to a film application approved by the Borough, the production company producing the series, Kearny-based 20th Television, plans to shoot at the converted JR’s location and upscale seafood restaurant 26 West on the Navesink across the street Wednesday. The production schedule outlined in the application calls for shooting to move to the Molly Pitcher Inn Wednesday and Thursday.
The filming attracted a small crowd of onlookers and caused backups for eastbound traffic on Maple Avenue, back to just past Monmouth Street.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
