Taking pictures begins in downtown Memphis on ABC collection set throughout civil rights period

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Hollywood has invaded Memphis. You may have noticed some road closures along South Main Street in downtown on Thursday when the crews began filming.

You are filming parts of an ABC miniseries called “Women of the Movement”. The series takes place during the civil rights struggle in the 1950s when 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched in Money, Mississippi, in 1955.

Vintage cars, trucks and taxis lined South Main between Huling and GE Patterson as scenes were filmed on the street and at the new Central Station Hotel.

The crews will film in the legendary Arcade Restaurant on Friday and in Cooper-Young on Saturday.

The historical drama, reportedly produced by Will Smith and Jay-Z with Adrienne Warren, centers on Mamie Till Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till.

Mobley made the decision to hold an open coffin funeral after her son was beaten, maimed, and shot in the head, and helped kickstart the civil rights movement.

The TV series is also being shot in Mississippi and West Tennessee, according to the Shelby County Film and Television Commission. Earlier this week in Memphis asked for extras.

Due to the sensitivity of the story and COVID-19 restrictions, visitors are not allowed on the set.

“Women of the Movement” will air sometime this year.

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