COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A new drama about addiction and recovery is putting Logan County, Ohio on the big screen.
The 2026 film Union County was filmed almost entirely in Logan County, with a heavy emphasis on the city of Bellefontaine. Principal photography took place in the spring of 2025 across local streets and homes, and inside a real working drug court, aiming to capture an authentic look at the rural opioid epidemic and adult-recovery programs.
Director Adam Meeks shot the film in Logan and Union counties from April 21 to May 16, 2025. Will Poulter stars as Cody Parsons, a man on a recovery journey, confronting the shadows of his past while seeking a new beginning.
A first trailer for Union County describes the film as following “an addict’s tenuous journey toward recovery amidst the opioid epidemic in rural Ohio,” with Will Poulter and Noah Centineo starring in the film.
Meeks, who grew up in Ohio, was able to draw inspiration from local recovery programs and personal stories shared during community meetings held before production began. Residents in the area were able to contribute ideas, with the goal of ensuring the script reflected the town’s spirit. Locals also were part of the production, appearing on screen and sharing their lives as part of the film’s effort to portray the community with realism.
The film received a Dramatic nomination at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and Best Narrative Feature nomination at the 2026 Lighthouse International Film Festival.
Union County will be in theaters on August 14.