SANTA FE - New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the television series pilot "Stanistan," produced by Universal Cable Productions, will begin principal photography in New Mexico. Production will take place in Santa Fe at the end of September through the middle of October.

The production will employ at least 100 New Mexico crew members, 15 New Mexico actors and approximately 400 local background talent.

"Stanistan" is directed by Michael Mayer ("Smash," "Alpha House," Hatfields & McCoys" and "Flicka") and produced by Michael Duggan ("Law & Order," "Miami Vice" and "Earth 2") and Michael Pendell ("90210," "Bad Teacher," "Aliens in America" and "Sons & Daughters").

The series, written by Andy Parker, stars Jennifer Carpenter ("Dexter," "Quarantine" and "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"), Jonathan Cake ("Desperate Housewives," "Chuck" and "Law & Order") and Zack Gilford ("Friday Night Lights," "Mob Doctor" and "Off The Map").

Inspired by real-life events, "Stanistan" takes viewers behind the fortified walls of the US Embassy in an Afghan-like South Asian hot spot-a high-stakes world teetering between recovery and collapse, offering a riveting close-up of America's misbegotten foray into nation building.

As viewers follow the tragicomic exploits of the men and women who serve inside the diplomatic, aide and military organization of the US government, they'll also come to know the colorful community of ex-pats and locals whose fates are tied to America's massive reconstruction operation.

Just as M*A*S*H skewered the folly of war with its irreverent, tragicomic satire, "Stanistan" revels in the absurdities, follies and unexpected poignancy of life in country. The show lives in the collision of the absurd and the poignant, allowing both humor and tragedy to stand in stark relief.