Starting Monday, Grafton is home to ‘Dexter’

“Dexter” isn’t here yet. But his toilets are.

There are a few signs of the impending shoot for Showtime’s revival of the popular series, centered on a serial killer (Michael C. Hall) who only murders bad people (it makes sense in the show). The first is the flashing sign on North Street announcing that Chestnut Street is closed to all but local traffic from Monday, May 17 to Friday, May 21, accompanied by the barrier across Chestnut Street itself.

Another are the signs posted around Norcross Park, warning residents that facility will be unavailable during the same time period. Equipment trucks and other necessities — your average construction site porta-potties just won’t do — will be stored there, with others parked at the Grafton Flea Market and the former DPW barn on Upton Street.

What’s going on at 3 Chestnut Street?

A main character will reside at 3 Chestnut Street, where the new green of spring will be replaced by snowbanks. Night shoots are expected during the week, with the production relocating residents if they wish.

“Dexter” is the highest profile production to come to Grafton in the past few years, part of a wave of movies and TV shows that have taken advantage of Massachusetts’ film tax incentives and brought Hollywood stars (and a few homegrown Afflecks and Wahlbergs) to the Bay State. The revival of the series has Grafton, along with Shelburne Falls and Sturbridge, subbing in for the Pacific Northwest.

Have a recommendation for a place where the actors and film crew can eat and shop? Drop them in the comments. Spot some filming action or anything else associated with the show in town? Send them to jennifer@graftoncommon.com.

And please, no references to “Hollywood” coming to Grafton. Location manager Ryan Cook not only hates the cliche, but he’ll also point out that 95 percent of the crew is Massachusetts-based.

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