PHOTOS: Birmingham native, Roy Wood Jr. back home for filming of new Comedy Central pilot downtown

IMG 0288 PHOTOS: Birmingham native, Roy Wood Jr. back home for filming of new Comedy Central pilot downtown
Views from 16th St and 3rd Ave N at the Etheridge Senior Car Wash for filming of Comedy Central pilot, “Jefferson County Probation.” Photo by Hannah Chambley for Bham Now

Crews are set up in Downtown Birmingham for the start of filming for a new Comedy Central pilot, “Jefferson County Probation” starring Roy Wood Jr., Birmingham native and Daily Show frequent. See photos on location and find out more about the show here.

Downtown Filming

Streets between 15th and 17th St N on 3rd Ave were blocked off from thru traffic today due to filming. According to a member of the crew, filming for the pilot will last throughout the week of May 20.

IMG 0283 PHOTOS: Birmingham native, Roy Wood Jr. back home for filming of new Comedy Central pilot downtown
Police blocking the street at the corner of 2nd Ave N and 16th St N. Photo by Hannah Chambley for Bham Now
IMG 0284 PHOTOS: Birmingham native, Roy Wood Jr. back home for filming of new Comedy Central pilot downtown
Police blocking the street at the corner of 3rd Ave N and 15th St N. Photo by Hannah Chambley for Bham Now

More on the Pilot

According to Comedy Central, the show is based on Wood’s early life. The pilot stars Wood as a probation officer who tries to help the clients he monitors. The announcement came last month that Wood would be heading to the ‘Ham for filming.

“It’s my pleasure to partner with a network that understands an artist’s need to take the creative road less traveled to mine humor from complicated social prisms such as jail reform and gentrification,” said Wood. “Humor that also explores the human condition is the most meaningful, but can sometimes be the most challenging.”

RoyWoodDealPress PHOTOS: Birmingham native, Roy Wood Jr. back home for filming of new Comedy Central pilot downtown
Cameras continue to roll in Birmingham thanks to Roy Wood Jr. Photo via Comedy Central
  • Writers: Wood and Aaron McGruder (BoondocksBlack Jesus)
  • Executive producers: Wood, McGruder, Trevor Noah, and Mainstay Entertainment’s Norman Aladjem and Derek Van Pelt
  • Director: Millicent Shelton (Black-ish, Insecure, The Walking Dead)
IMG 4326 PHOTOS: Birmingham native, Roy Wood Jr. back home for filming of new Comedy Central pilot downtown
Another view on 3rd Ave N of tents and camera gear set up for filming. Photo by Kyndall Stoker for Bham Now

“Excited to tell these stories in a new place (Birmingham) and even more excited to go on this journey with an African-American woman director at the helm,” said Wood. “Mom has a long list of chores for me to do. So it’ll be kinda cool to shoot at home.”

Excited for the pilot? Have tips to share? Let us know on social @BhamNow!

Hannah Chambley
Hannah Chambley
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