Three shows, including new season of ‘The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch,’ approved for Utah film incentives

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Three new TV productions and a movie have been approved for incentives to film in Utah, including a spinoff of the popular “Yellowstone” series and a new season of “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch.”

The Utah Film Commission announced the approval for the four productions on Friday, saying they will bring an estimated economic impact of $57.4 million and over 380 new jobs in Salt Lake, Summit, Wasatch and Uintah counties.

“Utah is such a draw for film and television because of its diverse landscapes, fantastic crews, and amazing, knowledgeable film office,” said Adam Morra, VP of planning and finance for Paramount Global. “There’s no doubt, though, the film incentive is a vital and necessary part of the package.”

The first is a “Yellowstone” spinoff series titled “Y: Marshals.” The show, starring Luke Grimes, will follow Kayce Dutton as he leaves the ranch to join the U.S. Marshals. Production is expected to begin in and around Summit County in Fall 2025.

The seventh season of “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch,” a popular History Channel series, was also approved for an incentive. The series follows a team of experts and scientists as they conduct research at the infamous Skinwalker Ranch in Uintah County, known for its paranormal activity and reported UFO sightings.

The third series approved for a film incentive is a Netflix competition show titled “Freshman Inventors.” The competition highlights Gen Z inventors and their creations, bringing their ideas into reality.

“Filming in Utah was our first choice since it is so creator-friendly and affordable,” said Mark Viau, Freshman Inventors executive producer.

Finally, a new independent film titled “Keep Coming Back” was approved for a film incentive in Summit and Wasatch counties. Director and Producer Mark Rosman, known for 2004’s “A Cinderella Story” starring Hilary Duff, said it was natural to look at Utah when picking where to shoot the movie.

“It was natural to look at Utah given the great tax incentives, the depth of film crews, and the proximity to Los Angeles,” said Rosman.

To learn more about the productions that will be filmed in Utah and to find job opportunities in the film industry, visit the Utah Film Commission website.