Shooting began in St. John's Monday on the second season of Republic of Doyle, the hit CBC series that treats the city as a character unto itself.

Star Allan Hawco and a cast and crew of about 100 people gathered in the east end of St. John's to start production on the series, much of which is shot on location, particularly among the colourful houses in various downtown neighbourhoods.

Rob Blackie, one of Republic of Doyle's producers, said the city and its residents have been a significant factor in the show's success.

"The people of St. John's have been fantastic," Blackie told CBC News.

"We end up down in people's homes and people's workplaces and the streets of St. John's, and the people here have been extremely, extremely gracious," he said.

"A lot of that generosity from the people of St. John's and Newfoundland generally allows the show to be what it is."

Hawco, one of the creators of the series, wrote the first episode of the season, Live and Let Doyle.

CBC Television ordered 13 episodes for Doyle's second season, one more than its first. The second season will begin airing in January.