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ABC Family's 'Wildfire' Catches On ; Network Renews Show Shot in N.M.

Posted on: Friday, 19 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

Even if you're not watching the ABC Family TV show "Wildfire," plenty of people are.

The show -- filmed in Algodones and Rio Rancho -- saw higher ratings than any previous ABC Family scripted drama and has been picked up for a second season, said Paul Lee, ABC Family president.

The show's first 13 episodes were filmed during the past 10 months and shooting wrapped earlier this week.

But the big news for the cast, many of whom are doing their first TV series, was that ABC Family -- Comcast channel 35 -- ordered 35 more episodes of the teen drama.

ABC Family said about 2 million watch the show, which has been called " 'The O.C.' on Horseback," weekly.

For the state, it's also a good deal.

"They spent 18 million bucks to produce it. That translates ... to $53 million to Rio Rancho, Algodones and Bernalillo," using an economic multiplier, said Eric Witt, director of legislative and political affairs for Gov. Bill Richardson.

Also, he said, the production has 127 New Mexicans on its staff of 140.

But it does come at a price.

The state of New Mexico loaned the production company $4 million last year to help produce the pilot, and $15 million to produce the first 13-episode series. Both 0-percent loans are due in five years.

On most loans, the state asks for about 5 percent of the final profits of a show or a movie through its loan program.

"Because of the size of (the loans), our participation is 11 percent of the profits once they go past break-even," said Charlie Wollman, a State Investment Council spokesman.

"This is a good indicator that this will be a long, successful run and New Mexico would share in that success," he said.

The series follows Genevieve Cortese as Kris Furillo, who is given a second chance at life on a horse farm. The series also stars Nana Visitor ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"), Micah Alberti ("All My Children") and Dennis Weaver.

Source: Albuquerque Journal

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