Showtime stops at Whately Diner for continued filming of ‘Dexter’

WHATELY — Film crews are making a pit stop at the Whately Diner this week, the latest in a tour of Franklin County locations, for continued filming of the Showtime series “Dexter.”

The Whately Diner will be closed all week for filming the new 10-episode limited series.

Possible Productions announced it would be filming scenes at and around the diner for the series, which was operating under the production title “Marble” before the official announcement was made that “Dexter” would be returning. The final episode of the original series, which lasted eight seasons, aired in 2013.

“Dexter” follows forensic analyst Dexter Morgan, who spends his days solving crimes and his nights committing them, according to a synopsis on the production company’s website. But the character lives by a “strict honor code” — acting as a vigilante serial killer.

A 30-second teaser trailer released April 29 showcases a wintry setting, and announces that the new episodes will premiere on Showtime this fall.

According to an announcement from Showtime, filming at the Whately Diner is scheduled to take place at different times each day through Friday. Filming was scheduled for 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday; 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday; noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday; and 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday.

To facilitate filming, there is intermittent traffic control on State Road (Route 5) between Swamp Road and Sunderland Road. Residents are advised to prepare for possible three- to five-minute delays along Route 5 during filming hours.

Town Administrative Assistant Amy Schrader and Select Board Chairman Fred Orloski said Showtime Assistant Location Manager Joe Piasecki had met with the board about filming last month. As of now, Schrader said the crew is only expected to be filming in the area this week.

“They did come to the town to ask about using town property for their equipment and meeting area,” Orloski said. “They came to the Select Board and told us what they planned on doing, when they’d be there and all.”

According to Orloski, Showtime offered to pay about $5,000 to reimburse the town for use of the vacant building lot at State Road (Route 5) and Swamp Road.

“That’s what they offered, and we thought that was reasonable,” Orloski said. “We said, ‘Just tell us how you plan on using it.’ I think they’ll be using it for assembly for their crews, and maybe food trucks for their workers.”

Production crews recently transformed downtown Shelburne Falls with Christmas decorations, wreaths, tinsel and holiday lights as the production filmed over a two-week period. Filming in the Shelburne Falls locations wrapped up late last month, with the production now making its way to Whately.

Filming for the series in Sunderland along Amherst Road, and in Whately, will be part of a truck stop scene. The Whately Diner is a 24-hour establishment frequented by truck drivers passing through in real life. While the diner will be closed through May 9 as a result of filming, it announced via Facebook that fuel pumps, food trucks and the truck parking lot are still accessible during filming.