HBO's 'The Gilded Age' prepping to shoot in Troy after coronavirus delay

TROY — Location scouts for the new HBO series “The Gilded Age” are seeking additional spots for scenes in Troy and have told local property owners crews will be filming here in May and June.

A puppet theater, working-class tenements and offices are among the additional locations producers want to add to places selected for sets before the coronavirus pandemic shut down production that was scheduled for last June.

“They are going to be back in town at the end of May and the early part of June,” said Kathy Sheehan, historian for the city of Troy and Rensselaer County based at the Hart Cluett Museum at 57 Second St.

Jim Scully, owner of Bacchus Wood Fired at 33 Second St. said the location scouts were back to scrutinize his Trojan Hotel and its Trojan Taproom at 43 Third St. for additional scenes.

Troy’s downtown 19th-century architectural charm that makes it an inviting place for tourists and shoppers to stroll also lures filmmakers seeking to portray New York City’s Victorian era.  "The Gilded Age" producers want Troy's mansions, office buildings and other icons to stand in for 19th century New York.

Julian Fellowes, who created "Downton Abbey," is the creative force behind “The Gilded Age.” The story is said to take place several decades before the action of "Downton Abbey," which was initially set in 1912 and opened with news of the sinking of the Titanic. The show portrayed the lives of British aristocrats through the late 1920s.  There is expected to be a crossover between the two series. Christina Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Carrie Coon, and Denée Benton are among the cast for the new show, according to HBO's synopsis.

“The city has been in contact with HBO and the producers throughout the pandemic to identify sites and a potential filming schedule. We’re working with the producers to provide information and assistance,” said John Salka, a spokesman for Mayor Patrick Madden.

The show could be eligible for New York's generous film-tax credit program. Gannett reported last month that between January and September the program provided $465 million to productions filmed in the state in recent years. It was reported that 76 movies and TV shows benefited but it was unclear if "The Gilded Age" has applied for benefits.

Locations suggested this time around include homes at 15th and Christie streets off Congress Street for tenements, the American Theater interior at 289 River St. for the puppet theater, the historic mill workers housing on Cataract Street in Cohoes adjoining the Harmony Mills complex for tenements and some former mill housing in Schaghticoke, Sheehan said.

The location scouts also inquired about interior spaces to serve as 19th century upscale office space, Sheehan said.  The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall with its rich interior has been added to the list of potential locations, Sheehan said.

Scully said the production company is supposed to have people in the city to eye various locations in the upcoming weeks.  He said the snowy weather had delayed their arrival.

It’s expected that the Rensselaer County Courthouse will substitute for the Tweed Courthouse in Manhattan and local mansions will take the place of the Astor mansion in New York.  The filming also will use such unnoticed spots as the gangway on the south side of the Hart Cluett Museum complex.

Filming of “The Gilded Age” has started downstate in Westchester County at mansions last fall, according to reports. Also, media in Newport, R.I. reported that the producers plan to film in the historic mansions there to capture the flavor of the 19th century arisocratic lifestyles.

About 150 to 300 people are expected to work on the anticipated three weeks of production in Troy when filming takes place.  HBO has a first season of 10 episodes planned.  The production company has been scouting Troy locations for filming that would go as far out as a third season.   "

Troy has become a familiar part of movie scenery.

Martin Scorsese employed downtown for 1993's "The Age of Innocence," a drama based on Edith Wharton's classic novel that starred Daniel Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer. The streets were used again in 2002 for a version of H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine."

Troy also was the site of location filming last year for "Modern Love." “Motherless Brooklyn” also used Troy in its filming. This movie was written, produced and directed by Edward Norton and released in 2019.