UPDATED: Wed 5, 2025
A Youth Rodeo event will continue the casting search for the television adaptation of the best-selling historical novel A Land Remembered. Tampa-based producers Todd Wiseman Jr. and Christa Boarini are looking for a regional young man to play Zechariah MacIvey, the son of the main character. They invite boys ages 8 to 13 who can confidently ride a horse to audition.
The casting event will take place at the Sunny Acres Lodge on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm EST. No acting experience is required, but a parent or legal guardian must attend and remain on site for the entire event.
The A Land Remembered television series is based on the beloved novel of the same name written by Patrick D. Smith. The book, which has long been a classroom staple, is a cultural touchstone for generations of Floridians. To maintain authenticity, the entire series will be filmed in Florida, bringing countless opportunities for local filmmakers and community members.
“A Land Remembered has to be made in Florida,” Wiseman said. “To film it anywhere else would be almost blasphemous. We’re going to do it here. I want to tell Florida stories.”
The series follows a pioneering family as they struggle to survive and adapt to the state’s unforgiving environment. Spanning generations, the story traces the family’s journey from humble settlers to powerful real estate developers.
“With this series, we have the opportunity not just to bring this beloved story to life, but to introduce a wide audience to Florida’s rich history. The original cowboys started here, in Florida. It’s here that the Spanish first brought cattle from overseas. There’s more to this State than theme parks and spring break. Florida history is a microcosm of American history,” Boarini told Film Tampa Bay.
The adaptation has generated widespread excitement within the Tampa Bay community. Filmmakers and community members across the state are keen to be involved in the production. Wiseman Jr. and Boarini have consulted key Florida organizations, including historians, anthropologists, and non-profits, in the development of the series, encouraging non-filmmakers to be involved in the project.
“The very first thing I did when I optioned the material was meet with the Seminole tribe,” Wiseman Jr. told Florida Matters Live & Local. “We met with the Anthropology team, and I said, ‘I cannot and will not tell this story without your endorsement and your blessing. We want you involved from the beginning.'”
Additionally, non-profits such as Film Tampa Bay and Visit Tampa Bay have partnered with the State of Florida and the Department of Agriculture to support the production team in bringing the series to life.
“We’re honored to support a project that centers Floridians’ voices and stories—these are the narratives that truly matter,” said Tyler Martinolich, CEO of Film Tampa Bay.
“Bringing A Land Remembered to life on screen here showcases the deep well of talent, history, and natural beauty our region offers,” said Santiago Corrada, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay.
The production team is allowing non-actors to audition. For more information on casting for A Land Remembered, email: tobias@alandremembered.org or visit: www.alandremembered.org/casting
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