Season One isn’t the last we’ll see of The Last of Us.
If you haven’t heard of the global phenomenon TV show that brought in millions of viewers and millions of dollars for Alberta – it’s coming back for round two.
The HBO hit series brings new plotlines and opportunities for our province.
The Last Of Us centers on the main characters, Joel and Ellie, as they navigate the world twenty years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, which causes its hosts to transform into zombie-like creatures.
And you thought COVID was bad!
If you’ve watched the show, you’ll know that natural rugged landscapes have a starring role.
They needed wilderness, and we delivered.
Filming for season one covered much of Alberta, with scenes filmed in or around Fort Macleod, High River, Bragg Creek, Okotoks, Waterton Lakes National Park, Olds, the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, Priddis, Canmore, Calgary, Edmonton, and Grande Prairie.
For season two, producers planned to move much of filming to BC, but it seems they’re not quite finished with Wild Rose Country.
Can’t Get Enough Alberta
“We’re shooting season two of The Last Of Us, and the beauty of this land is hard to replicate.” Gabrielle Luna, who plays Tommy Miller on the show, said while attending a Calgary Flames game.
“We had to come back to Alberta, so we’re here for ten days, and I couldn’t miss going to a Flames game.”
Operating under the code name Mega Sword, for anonymity, the show is back and has been filming in the Bow Valley.
After bringing a whopping $141 million to Alberta, according to Oxford Economics, we’re glad they’re back for another swing at things.
Production will unfortunately be heading back west soon, but they’re not the only ones whose eyes are open to the potential of the Alberta film industry.
Since 2020, the Alberta government has helped fund 267 screen-based projects. These projects have resulted in a $1.2-billion spend-back in the province and created over 4,000 jobs.
TV series like Billy the Kid, Fargo, My Life with the Walter Boys, and Disney’s feature-length film Prey have all relied on Alberta film industry professionals and our gorgeous locations for their success.
Return on Investment
This year, the UCP tabled $5.4 million for film grants, which they say is well worth the investment.
They expect every dollar of support to generate four dollars in return, “securing Alberta’s position as a filmmaking production hub through targeted incentives,” says the UCP budget tabled last month by Finance Minister Nate Horner.
Tanya Fir, the Minister of Arts and Culture and the member for Calgary-Peigan, said the film industry is booming in the province.
“We are seeing numerous award-winning productions choose Alberta because of our trained and ready workforce, breathtaking filming locations and low corporate tax rates.”
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) backs this sentiment.
They have confirmed that several new projects will start production in the province this spring!
Keep your eyes peeled for film crews on the sets of Dear Adora, The Little Girl Who Wasn’t, Brother, Christmas in Alaska, Abracadavers – Season 3, Vengeance, and The Abandons – being pitched as the next great Western drama, starring Gillian Anderson!
All are set to start and wrap filming in the next couple of months in and around Edmonton and Calgary.
With a growing list of high-profile productions, it’s clear Alberta is not just a backdrop but a rising star in the industry.We love watching all these shows for the good stories they tell and for the enjoyment of recognizing our favourite Alberta locations.
