Crews transform Doyle's into 21st Amendment

On Monday, March 23 from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., crews from the currently-in-production ABC-TV pilot, formerly known as "I, Claudia" and "See Kate Run," are slotted to transform Doyle's Cafe in Jamaica Plain into the 21st Amendment, a stand-in for the political watering hole across the street from the State House.

Starring Amy Smart in the main role, the series with a working title called the "Untitled John Scott Shepherd Project" follows a Boston-based district attorney destined to become the first female president.

Doyle's, located at 3484 Washington St., is famous as a stop on the political trail, officially opening its doors in 1882 and served as a speakeasy during Prohibition days until reopening as a legal hangout in 1933. You can see that reflected on the walls throughout the rambling rooms that make up the place.

The Washington Street hotspot was also used in the movies as the "quintessential Boston Irish bar," making cameos in "Mystic River" and was a location in the Dane Cook flick "My Best Friend's Girl" and "21" with Kevin Spacey. Also, actor Mel Gibson, recently in town filming "Edge of Darkness," was spotted there in August '08.

Crews from FTP Productions LLC, the group orchestrating the massive shoot for ABC, are currently filming this weekend at the State House and plan to return there next Saturday, March 28.

Why shoot at Doyle's instead of filming at the real 21st Amendment? Apparently, the Beacon Hill haunt is too cramped for cameras.

Click here for the latest on "See Kate Run."

--Photos by Sam Baltrusis