'Homeland' puts Raleigh in TV spotlight

Along East Morgan Street outside the North Carolina Supreme Court Building, fans clustered for a glimpse of the production.

Among those on stakeout duty were Pattrick Watters and Delonda Alexander, who used a break from work to try and catch some of the action. 

"I've just been a big fan of Claire Danes' career in the past so it's really wonderful to see her in a great role," Alexander said of the star, who plays a CIA agent.

Raleigh is playing the role of Washington, D.C., this week. To prepare, workers removed street signs and hung powerful lights to shine artificial sunshine into the courtroom windows where actors simulated a Congressional hearing.

Crew members said Monday's scenes, which will be included in episodes at the beginning of the show's third season, featured Danes' character, Carrie Mathison, in testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. 

Danes was spotted slipping out a side door during a lunch break. She was quickly whisked away to her trailer. 

The crew said some outdoor scenes were planned for Tuesday.

Brandon Melvin, of Fayetteville, had up-close access. He is playing an extra, a senator's aide, in his second appearance on "Homeland." 

"To be able to come back this year and do it all over again here in Raleigh is amazing," Melvin said of the experience.

The shooting schedule means changes for downtown traffic on Monday and Tuesday. Traffic on Wilmington and Fayetteville streets might be held or diverted when necessary during sound takes, and police will be on hand to maintain the safe flow of traffic through the area and to minimize any inconvenience.

Wilmington Street between East Morgan and Hargett streets will be closed to parking until 8 p.m. Tuesday, as will part of the east side of the 100 block of Fayetteville Street. There will be no parking on New Bern Place after 8 p.m. Monday, and the east entrance to New Bern Place will be closed to traffic at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The production company will not block any driveways and will keep the sidewalks open, city officials said. Local merchants and customers may access area businesses with minimal delays.