‘Pearl City’ pilot show
to shoot next monthNBC executives will decide later
if it will become a full series
NBC has given the green light to film the television series pilot "Pearl City" on Oahu.
Shooting will begin next month and end in March.
Auditions to find the show's star and several other actors for the ensemble cast in the hour-long cop show are continuing in Los Angeles, an NBC executive said.
The first episode, tentatively called "Hawaiian Justice," features some volcano elements, though the show is unlikely to film on the Big Island, NBC said.
Formerly called "Hawaiian Blue," the show is about a diverse team of detectives in Pearl City. NBC has not decided whether it will use the Hawaii Film Studio because much of the filming will be done outdoors.
The pilot will be seen in late April or May by NBC executives who will decide whether it will be come a series on the network's fall program.
NBC Studios' writer-producer Jeff Eastin was in Honolulu in October scouting Oahu for several days.
Eastin produced UPN's "Shasta McNasty," most recently co-wrote the script for the upcoming "Rush Hour 3" and has another show in development for MTV.
NBC filmed "Average Joe: Hawaii" last summer and the short-lived "Wind on Water" several years ago -- both on the Big Island.
"We're absolutely ecstatic," said Donne Dawson, Hawaii Film Office manager. "This news could not have come at a better time given the poor production year we've just completed.
"Hawaii has enjoyed a good history with NBC productions here, and we're all looking forward to working with them again."
The last television pilot to film on Oahu was "The Break" last March, which was not picked up.