Fidelis Productions wrapped up a third day of filming the upcoming Showtime drama series “American Rust” in Middlesex Township on Friday.

The film crew was shooting several scenes at a private home close to Sandy Hill Road and Leslie Road in Middlesex.

“American Rust” is a family drama that “explores the tattered American dream through the eyes of chief of police Del Harris (Jeff Daniels) in his Rust Belt town in southwest Pennsylvania,” according to a statement from the production company.

The plot follows Daniels's character as he grapples with how far he's willing to go when the son of the woman he loves is accused of murder.

The series was filmed in a few other Butler County locations, including Zelienople.

Creating the show's world

Middlesex resident Susan Stalter has lived in her home since 1984, but this week her property played host to the film crew for “American Rust.”

She and her family are staying at a hotel while filming is taking place. Standing in front of her house, she gestured to the worn-down décor and dusty set pieces that the crew had set up around the exterior of the home.

“I'm not the greatest housekeeper, but I'm not that bad,” she laughed, pointing to some huge cobwebs stretched over the porch.

“We're sort of dressing the house down,” said Greg Felmley, assistant location manager with Fidelis.

Creating continuity

Felmley explained why crew members were scattering old leaves and dust around the property: both to lower the brightness of the limestone driveway, and to create continuity between the house set and the rest of the scene, which was shot at night.

“We're filming further out in the woods, and our action comes this way,” he pointed in a line in front of the home. “They come in from the woods, so we're trying to connect the two.”

Stalter said that working with the film crew at her home has been a great experience.

“They've been great,” she said. “Everyone is really kind.”