The Apple TV+ series 'Lady in the Lake' has been plagued with issues including the loss of a leading cast member & threats from gang members.

In March 2021 Patently Apple posted a report titled " Apple TV+ has given a 'Straight-to-Series' Order for 'Lady In The Lake' Starring Natalie Portman & Lupita Nyong’o." In April 2022 we reported that Lady in the Lake would starting filming in Baltimore. Then in May we were surprised to learn that Lupita Nyong'o had "exited" the series which would delay production. In June Apple TV+ announced that Moses Ingram would be replacing Nyong'o.

Today we're learning that the production of 'Lady in the Lake' is being forced to relocate to another city due to direct threats of violence.

According to Deadline, "An Apple TV+ series filming in Baltimore stopped production Friday after several people threatened the producers and tried to extort money from them, Baltimore police said.

A spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department said the crew was filming around 4 PM in the downtown area when the producers were approached by several people. The group claimed if they didn’t stop filming they would come back and shoot someone, police said.

However, they said no violence would occur if they were paid an unspecified amount. Producers decided to halt filming and seek a new location. Local news outlet The Baltimore Banner reported that drug dealers attempted to extort $50,000 from the production, which producers declined to pay.

The Production company 'Endeavor Content' said in a statement late Sunday: "The safety and security of our crew, cast and all who work across our productions is our highest priority, and we are thankful no one was injured. Production will resume with increased security measures going forward."

The statement went on to say that “It has been a privilege filming ‘Lady in the Lake’ in Baltimore, working with its vibrant community across many areas,” the statement continued. “Our thanks and appreciation to the City of Baltimore, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the Baltimore Film Office, Maryland Film Office and the Baltimore Police Department for their incredible support as we continue production in the great City of Baltimore and surrounding communities.” For more, read the full Deadline report.

Aug. 30, Update 2 a.m. The Baltimore production of the Apple TV+ series “Lady in the Lake” has resumed at a new location after it was derailed last week by threats of violence, a union official said Monday. The producers were also told to pay $50,000 to the group before production would be allowed to continue.

"Shooting has resumed on the show, it only stopped for the one day," David M. O’Ferrall, business agent for IATSE Local 487, said in an email to NBC News.

Second report update Aug. 31: This story seems to change every day. The latest on this is that the entire story was framed incorrectly. The Baltimore Police have examined CCTV camera footage and have presented an entirely different account of set disruption.

Trying to figure out whether this story was a PR stunt, an overly excitable newspaper writer, Baltimore trying to deny the problems or "other" is unknown at this time. It's a mess no matter how you look at it. 

Archive: Apple TV News