The presence of those working on Hulu‘s Amanda Knox series in the Italian city of Perugia is prompting backlash after filming began near where student Meredith Kercher was found stabbed to death 17 years ago.

The filming of Amanda Knox’s new Hulu series in Perugia, Italy— the site of her roommate Meredith Kercher’s murder in 2007— is sparking a wave of backlash from locals.

A statement, however, did come from Vittoria Ferdinandi, the mayor of the aforementioned city in Italy. The politician wrote a letter to citizens, and it was published in local newspapers. Not only did Ferdinandi apologize to them for the decision to allow the show to film in town, but she also explained her reasoning for the choice:

Locals in the Italian city of Perugia are concerned the series will bring new, unwanted attention nearly two decades after British student Meredith Kercher was murdered there in 2007

When a show produced by Ms. Knox about the murder of Meredith Kercher was filmed in Perugia, an outcry by residents led the mayor to apologize.

Film crews were met with banners reading “Rispetto per Meredith” ("Respect for Meredith") as they arrived to start shooting the eight-part series. View on euronews