Peachtree City may be a far cry from Hollywood, but the film industry has made a lasting impression on the city. Thursday a street sign was erected officially designating one of the city’s newest streets “Diva Drive,” in honor of the show Drop Dead Diva which is filmed in studios off Dividend Drive in Peachtree City.
Drop Dead Diva co-stars Jackson Hurst and April Bowlby joined members from the cast and crew, along with Peachtree City and Tourism officials for the cutting of the ribbon on Thursday, May 27. The street sign was adorned with a large peach and green ribbon to represent Peachtree City. The road is located off of Dividend Drive.
Don Haddix, Mayor of Peachtree City, as well as Councilman Doug Sturbaum each gave welcome remarks. turbaum is also a board member of the Peachtree City Tourism Association and spoke for acting Chairman Kai Wolter.
“This is a great thing for Peachtree City,” Mayor Haddix said. “This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ and how much we appreciate it. The show will be a part of Peachtree City for years to come.”
Hurst, who plays the character Grayson Kent in the series, thanked the city for the “amazing” welcome the show has received. He stressed how much it helps the cast and crew relax to know they are welcome here.
And he teased, “The upcoming season is going to be amazing!”
The filming of Drop Dead Diva has had a hugely positive impact on the area, according to Nancy Price, Executive Director of Peachtree City Tourism Association. After shooting much of season 1 in and around Fayette and Coweta County, “no one can deny that the local economy has received a boost from the film industry,” Price said.
With much of the cast and crew calling Peachtree City home, local businesses and services have all benefited from the presence of the Sony Pictures Television production. The experience has been so positive, in fact, that Price noted that we would “love to roll out the red carpet again if other film opportunities come our way.”
“Drop Dead Diva” will premiere its second season on June 6 at 9 p.m. on Lifetime. Praised by critics as one of 2009’s top new series, the one-hour, 13-episode comedic drama stars Brooke Elliott (Wicked, Taboo) as a vapid, wannabe model Deb whose soul resurfaces in the body of Jane, a plus sized attorney, after a mix-up in heaven. April Bowlby portrays Deb’s best friend who is aware of the switch and becomes Jane’s new best friend and roommate.
“Drop Dead Diva’s” guest star roster for the first season included Liza Minnelli, Delta Burke, Tim Gunn, Paula Abdul and Rosie O’Donnell, among others, and season two will be no different. Paula Abdul returns for the opener, Rosie O’Donnell reprises her role as a judge, and throughout the season audiences can look forward to seeing Natasha Henstridge, Leelee Sobieski, Cybill Shepherd, Vivica A. Fox, Robin Givens, Ricki Lake, Sharon Lawrence and Jaime Ray Newman among many others.
