'Boston's Finest' filming at Copley Square's BPL

Crews with the locally shot TV pilot for ABC called "Boston's Finest," starring Katee Sackhoff from "Battlestar Galactica" and "ER" alum Goran Visnjic, are setting up shop at the Boston Public Library as well as the streets behind the Orange Line T stop between Columbus Ave and Stuart on Clarendon Street, with the Back Bay filming slotted for Saturday, April 3.

"I was walking by the Boston Public Library earlier tonight and I noticed filming equipment. There were filming signs on the street around the library that said they would be filming from Friday, April 2 until Tuesday, April 6," says one Loaded Gun tipster. "There were also cones surrounding the entire library so the trailers and vehicles can be parked there this weekend."

"Boston's Finest" stars Sackhoff as a detective who teams with a disgraced ex-cop (Visnjic) to solve crimes and untangle the conspiracy that sent him underground. Nia Long ("Alfie") has also joined the cast, as her friend, mentor and partner.

Also, actors Treat Williams, Jason Wiles and celeb offspring Kate Burton are co-starring in the pilot.

The Boston Public Library has been a hotbed of made-in-Boston film action including an elaborate chase sequence for Cameron Diaz's flick called "The Box" as well as a location in Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz's upcoming spy flick "Knight and Day."

In addition to "Knight and Day" and "The Box," the BPL has been a favorite location for filmmakers. In early October 2009, Copley Square was transformed into a Hollywood-esque movie lot with the cast of the Adam Sandler-produced "Zookeeper," including Kevin James, Rosario Dawson and Leslie Bibb, filming scenes at the upscale Fairmont Copley Plaza. For the scene, designers lit up the Boston Public Library with dramatic lighting.

Also, back in September 2007, the Boston Public Library was the scene of the crime in "The Pink Panther 2" starring Steve Martin as Inspector Jacques Clouseau. While filming at the BPL, there were reports that a priceless marble bust was knocked on the floor of the Grand Staircase. Fortunately, the damage wasn't caused by the movie crews.

On Tuesday, April 6, crews filmed on the South Boston side of the Summer Street bridge. Word is there was simulated shoot 'em up action in the Southie location used for a slew of made-in-Boston films including "The Departed," "Surrogates" and "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."

Click here for the latest on "Boston's Finest."
--Copley Square photo by Ryan Miner and Sackhoff photo courtesy of Mike Giannattasio