The 'Ozark' actress joins co-star Jason Bateman in calling for their Netflix crime drama to be moved out of the state due to the passing of 'heartbeat' bill by its lawmakers.

• Jun 5, 2019

AceShowbiz - Laura Linney has joined her "Ozark" co-star Jason Bateman in calling for the show to be moved out of Georgia due to the state's new abortion laws.

Although the Netflix crime drama is set around Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, it is mostly filmed in the Atlanta area, as well as Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier in the state. However, that is now in doubt as Jason and now Laura have objected to Georgia lawmakers passing a "heartbeat" bill banning abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy.

"Pulling out is so upsetting to me, but I can't see any other way around it," Laura, who plays corrupt lobbyist Wendy Byrde in the show, tells Variety, before going on to say how difficult it is for her to quit the state.

"It's a terrible, terrible situation," she adds. "The law is atrocious; it strips women and a lot of Georgians from their rights. Having said that, I'm also from generations of people who are from Georgia. I love the state of Georgia. I love the people who work there."

Production on "Ozark"'s third season recently got underway in the state, but Jason, who plays Laura's on screen husband Marty, also wants to move the show elsewhere if the law comes into force, which is due to happen at the start of next year (2020).

"If the 'Heartbeat Bill' makes it through the court system, I will not work in Georgia, or any other state, that is so disgracefully at odds with women's rights," he told The Hollywood Reporter last month.

Netflix bosses have not confirmed they will boycott the state, but have said they are "reconsidering" filming future productions in Georgia and promised to help fund the legal fight against the controversial law.

Tax breaks have made Georgia's capital, Atlanta, a major Hollywood hub, but that is now under threat as Disney boss Bob Iger, and stars Amy Schumer, Ben Stiller, Christina Applegate, Laverne Cox and Alec Baldwin, have all signalled they will consider a boycott.