'Philanthropist' taking overseas trip

September 29, 2008 Filming of the long-in-the-works series starring James Purefoy is slated to begin shortly in South Africa and the Czech Republic under the supervision of Bromstad, who called the timing "perfect" as her unit recently acquired U.K. production company Carnival Film & Television. "Philanthropist," a pet project of NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman, stars Purefoy as a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth, connections and power to help people in need around the world. [...] with tax incentives in South Africa and the Czech Republic as well as local filming and postproduction crews, the price tag for "Philanthropist" is expected to drop from about $3.7 million to $2.5 million an episode.

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