Nashville Eyes a New Hollywood Turn
Industry stars are signaling a bold shift: Nashville could become the next hub for film and television, aided by the high-profile support of Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. The announcement came during last weekend’s Nashville Film Festival, where the duo outlined plans that would push more production work into Tennessee and expand opportunities for local crews and talent.
Kidman revealed that her current projects in Nashville have sparked a broader ambition to bring ongoing production to the state. She noted that she has lived in the city since 2008 and described Nashville as a place that fuels creativity. Scarpetta, the crime series she has been filming in the area, has completed its first season there, and she spoke warmly about starting work on season two. The message was clear: the momentum is real, and the doors are opening wider for Tennessee-based production.
Why Nashville, Why Now
According to Kidman, the city’s crew strength, local talent, and supportive communities make it fertile ground for large-scale projects. “The crews are fantastic and the actors, and the people. There is so much room here for production,” she said, underscoring a practical belief that Nashville can sustain more filming activity without sacrificing the quality of work or the speed of delivery. While she joked about the fate of Big Little Lies—a hit series she created with Witherspoon that would be hard to transplant—she also asserted that productions must happen where conditions are best, which for now seems to be Tennessee.
Witherspoon, who also calls Nashville home, joined Kidman in stressing the potential for continued collaboration and expansion. The two friends’ shared enthusiasm signals not just a personal project but a broader industry strategy: attract more high-profile productions, cultivate local crews, and ensure a steady pipeline of work that keeps Tennessee top of mind for studios and producers.
Impact for the Local Scene
The Hollywood-to-Tennessee conversation isn’t new, but the Nashville festival moment gave it a fresh, tangible push. Kidman’s and Witherspoon’s public commitments help counter a long-standing assumption that big-budget shows can only be shot in traditional hubs. In Nashville, there’s a growing sense that the city’s creative ecosystem—amply staffed by camera operators, editors, costume designers, and line producers—can support ongoing projects from pilots to season orders.
Beyond the producers themselves, the development carries potential economic and cultural rewards for the state. Local suppliers, post-production facilities, and hospitality sectors stand to benefit from a more diversified production calendar. The message from the festival was clear: Tennessee is ready to be more than a backdrop; it aims to be a living, breathing center of production activity.
Other Voices Joining the Trend
People in the entertainment circle are already noticing Nashville’s appeal. For instance, Chrissy Metz, known for This Is Us, relocated to Nashville in 2020 and has since embraced a markedly different pace of life that also aligns with a growing film and TV footprint in the region. Her experience mirrors a broader shift in which established industry professionals see Nashville not as a retreat but as a viable home for sustained creative work. The city’s rising profile is becoming a magnet for talent who want less risk and more opportunity, and Nashville is positioning itself as a welcoming home for curated, high-quality productions.
What’s Next
Kidman’s optimism is paired with a pragmatic note: growth will be built on strong teams, reliable crews, and projects that fit the Tennessee landscape. As she urged, “Come on, Tennessee, we can do this.” The festival served as a launchpad for a conversation that could redefine where and how Hollywood-scale storytelling happens in the United States, with Nashville leading the charge. If the city continues delivering talent, infrastructure, and creative energy, the line between Nashville and Hollywood may blur faster than anyone anticipated.
