Our home may feel distinctive to us, but it’s surprisingly good at “acting” as many other areas of the world on Hollywood screens.
Alberta’s landscapes will again flash across Netflix users’ TVs in the new series My Life With the Walter Boys.
While the story is set in Colorado, Cochranites will recognize many of the landmarks and scenes that were shot in their hometown.
The heartwarming coming-of-age story follows 15-year-old Manhattanite Jackie Howard.
After tragedy turns her world upside down, she’s sent to live in a chaotic countryside home with a family of 10 kids.
Laughter, learning and love triangles ensue.
Cochrane Landmarks
Cochrane is the backdrop for key scenes, with notable locations including Glenhill Drive, the Texas Gate Grill, William Camden Park, and the Fence and Post restaurant.
The picturesque CL Ranch off Jumping Pound Road took center stage as the Walter family’s Colorado home.
The main cast, including Nikki Rodriguez, Noah Lalonde, and Ashby Gentry, said they genuinely fell in love with the Albertan landscape and culture during filming.
Rodriguez, speaking at the official red carpet launch of the show in Calgary, said how she wished she could stay and live at the CL Ranch.
Western Seduction
Gentry developed a fondness for horses, crediting legendary cowboy and wrangler John Scott for becoming his mentor and introducing him to the world of rodeos.
He also gave a hyper-local shout-out to The Donut Man in Crossfield – a sentiment that Rodriguez enthusiastically echoed.
And, of course, Kananaskis Country stood out to LaLonde (as it does to many) for its stunning, peaceful scenery.
Versatile Stand In
Beyond just actors, many key players in the film industry are waking up to Cochrane’s charm as a filming location.
Luke Azevedo from Calgary Economic Development says the key to this is the diversity of our province.
“We are very unique globally. We can be Afghanistan, we can be Mexico City, we can be Denver, we can be Calgary, we can be Rocky View County,” he said.
Tax Breaks
Lower production costs and the absence of provincial sales tax further bolster our province’s attractiveness to filmmakers.
For now, Netflix has committed to 10 fifty-minute episodes of My Life With the Walter Boys.
If the first season is well received, Cochranites will likely see actors and crew back in town for another one.
As the Cochrane Tourism slogan summarizes so well, “Cochrane: It’s the Feeling.”
And the cast and crew of the latest Netflix hit were definitely ‘feeling’ it in Cochrane.
