Production on HBO‘s highly-anticipated “Luck” TV series will resume at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Ca., on Jan. 10, according to track officials.
Most of the production has been completed on the first two episodes of the series from creator David Milch starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. The most recent two weeks of production on and around the track under directors Terry George (“Hotel Rwanda,” “Reservation Road,” “In the Name of the Father”) and Allen Coulter (“The Sopranos,” “Sex in the City,” “Law and Order,” “Boardwalk Empire”) was completed after a new dirt track was installed earlier this month and before the rains came, according to Santa Anita Community and Special Events Coordinator Pete Siberell.
The third episode is to be directed by Phillip Noyce (‘Salt,” “‘Clear and Present Danger,” “Patriot Games”).
The pilot for the series about an ex-con gambler was completed earlier this year. HBO has yet to set a launch date for the pilot and series but it is expected in late 2011 or early 2012.
Also appearing in the first two episodes are Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Hall of Fame jockey and TV announcer/actor Gary Stevens and jockey Chantal Sutherland.
Siberell said Milch was particularly happy with the racing action they were able to simulate at the track. The race season begins Sunday, Dec. 26, and runs through April. Producers are planning to film much of the rest of the first season of episodes during racing days at the track.
— by Scott Hettrick