NATCHEZ — Natchez still could be the filming location for the TV series based on “Natchez Burning,” but political factors are making it a battle, Natchez author Greg Iles said.

Iles, who wrote the “Natchez Burning” trilogy, said he is trying to convince the creators of the show to film the series in Natchez, where his books are set.

“I can’t comment about the present status because certain negotiations are ongoing,” he said. “But my co-producers have told me that Natchez now faces an uphill battle to be the location, due to HB 1523.”

Mississippi House Bill 1523, or the Religious Liberty Accommodation Act, was signed into law in March.

The law allows individuals, certain businesses, and religious organizations to refuse service to anyone based on their religious objections to same-sex marriage or transgender people.

The law has been widely criticized as discriminatory.

The Louisiana Legislature’s cuts to its film tax credits are also a problem for the TV show, Iles said.

“Significant action would have been shot in Ferriday and Vidalia,” he said. “Natchez is visually unique, so nothing can really substitute for it … I would sure hate to see Atlanta standing in for Natchez.”

Despite the setbacks, Iles said he would continue to try and convince the show makers to film the series in the Natchez area.

“I will fight to bring the show here, because that would mean at least three years of high budget production for our area,” Iles said. “I expect to be getting news throughout the summer, and I know that our new city leadership, as well as (Vidalia mayor-elect) Buz Craft, whom I spoke to the other night, are ready to do whatever is necessary to bring major productions to our area.”

“Mississippi Blood,” the third book in the “Natchez Burning” trilogy, is slated to be released March 28, 2017, by publisher Harper Collins.

Iles is finishing his final edits, and said a jacket design will be revealed soon.

“I wish I could tell people it was sooner, but these three books together total about 2,000 pages, and that has been an epic undertaking,” he said.