Creepy Westfield 'Watcher' House Netflix Series Ready To Film

Westfield NJ

01 October, 2021

10:31 AM

Description

WESTFIELD, NJ — By now, Westfield's most recent epic true crime story is well known: In 2014, a couple, Maria and Derek Broaddus, bought a house on a quiet street in Westfield, the town where Maria had grown up. They hoped to raise their three children there, but received threatening letters until they sold the house in 2019 — and to this day, no one knows who wrote the "Watcher" missives. Now, a creep-tastic Netflix limited series about the ordeal — called "The Watcher" — is starting production. It stars Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale as the couple, and is produced by Ryan Murphy. This week, a Twitter account dedicated to Murphy posted: Ryan Murphy's "The Watcher" miniseries starring Bobby Cannavale and Naomi Watts has officially entered pre-production! #TheWatcher pic.twitter.com/TAJ8xwOKg4— The AHS Zone (@ahszone) September 28, 2021 "We're going to start shooting soon. It's exciting," Naomi Watts said in an article last month. A post in a private Westfield Facebook earlier this week suggested filming had begun in Westfield, at least of some scenes. The post also stirred discussions that showed that residents are still divided about what happened. "Netflix is using my house and the one across the way for filming," said a man posting in the group this week. But he added that most of the filming is in Rye, N.Y. The post elicited much debate. "First John List, now the Watcher…. can't Westfield come up with a non-creepy story?" responded one woman. Another said he doubted that the letters were real, prompting someone to write, "The family grew up in Westfield still lives in Westfield, and is a part of our community. Be respectful." "I'm happy for the family that bought this house," wrote another. "...they did a beautiful job with the paint and landscaping." A spokesperson for the mayor's office said Thursday that Town Hall was unaware of any filming in town, and that no permits were granted for the series. "Permits may be required to film on private property, depending on the circumstances of the project and its impact on the neighborhood," said Kim Forde. Find out more about the history of the "Watcher" house here: Infamous Westfield 'Watcher' House Has New OwnersFind out about other creepy doings in Westfield: AddamsFest Event Signup Don't miss Westfield breaking news alerts when they are announced, or get a free daily newsletter each morning with Westfield news. Sign up with your preferences here. Got news? Email [email protected]. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.