Filming of Lady in the Lake, an upcoming miniseries starring Natalie Portman, was shut down in Baltimore after protests by locals. The Baltimore Banner reported that a group of locals asked one of the drivers associated with the production to pay them $50,000 if they wanted to continue filming. According to the Baltimore Police Department, when the driver refused to pay, the locals threatened to “come back later this evening [and] shoot someone”.

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The limited series’ production company, Endeavor Content, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that the locals who threatened their driver was carrying a firearm, adding that “We are working with the Baltimore Police Department as the investigation is ongoing.” It also stated that the safety of its cast and crew is of paramount importance and that they are thankful that no one has sustained any injury as a result of the confrontation.

The company further added that the production has been rescheduled and security measures will be beefed up for the same. Endeavor also mentioned that it always enjoys filming in Baltimore, “It has been a privilege filming Lady in the Lake in Baltimore, working with its vibrant community across many areas.”

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The series, which will be streamed on Apple TV, is based on a similarly titled best-selling novel by Laura Lippman. Portman will portray the central character of the series, Maddie Schwartz, a housewife who becomes an investigative reporter in order to pursue a murder case. In her attempt to seek the truth, Schwartz faces opposition in the form of Cleo Sherwood, a local leader who fights for the rights of the African-American community of Baltimore. Moses Ingram is set to portray the character of Sherwood, which was earlier given to Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o. Ingram is a Baltimore resident herself and was recently seen in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.