Production crew remove props from the location of a film shoot for ‘The Resident’ on North Madison Avenue.

By Shannon Sneed
The Eatonton Messenger
September 12, 2024

Eatonton was abuzz with excitement last weekend as scenes for the Fox TV medical drama “The Resident” was filmed downtown and in the historical district.

The majority of the production took place on North Madison Avenue, where the area was transformed to represent the main character’s hometown.

Blackwell Furniture Company, The Plaza Arts Center and the area around the old Eatonton Hotel were used to film some of the scenes for season 3, which premiers Sept. 24 on Fox.

A portable light pole sits in front of Blackwell Furniture in Eatonton where the store was turned into a hotel/restaurant during filming of the Fox series “The Resident.”

One store window was changed to read “Farnan Hotel Restaurant,” while another was decorated with mini-pumpkins for the fall season. In one scene, the character drives by the county courthouse.

“The Resident” director Caty Collier cringed as the Putnam County Courthouse clock chimed during filming of one of the scenes. She then patiently readied for another shot.

Putnam and Greene County students were invited to watch the film process as part of their lessons. Local residents were enlisted to serve as extras in the show, including Putnam County Fire Chief Shane Hill.

Papa John’s Pizza was ready to serve the more than 100 crew members after getting an order for 50 pizzas. Barrel 118 made accommodations for the group also to have a comfortable and cool setting to take a break and dine.

City Center was filled with trucks and trailers loaded down with film equipment used during the two-day shoot.

The Putnam County Administrative building served as base camp providing space, for the many vehicles that brought the entertainers to town.

Film crews began setting up for production on Tuesday, Sept. 3, shot scenes on Friday and Saturday, then restored the production area on Monday, Sept. 9.

After less than a week in town, the film crew rolled out as quickly as they rolled in.

With pumpkins used as some of the props, the season 3 episode will apparently show sometime during the fall.

Already showcasing a cast of fan favorites, including main character, Matt Czuchry, Bruce Greenwood, Emily VanCamp and Malcolm Jamal-Warner, producers recently announced the addition of Morris Chestnut to the third season.

The series picks up where viewers could find out which one of the show’s characters flatlines and might not survive.