Members of the cast of The Last of Us pose with a view of downtown Calgary. January 23, 2023. (Photo: @bellaramsey on Instagram)

By David Opinko

HBO spent $141 million filming ‘The Last of Us’ in Alberta: report

Nov 28, 2023 | 8:47 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It was the biggest production in the history of TV in Canada, and Alberta stood to benefit greatly from it.

The Motion Picture Association of Canada (MPA) has released a report, detailing the economic impacts of creating season one of HBO’s The Last of Us.

The analysis was conducted by Oxford Economics, who found that a total of $141 million was spent making the show in the province, and generated more than $182 million for Alberta’s GDP.

Matt Jones, Alberta’s minister of jobs, economy, and trade, said HBO’s series has left an indelible mark on Alberta’s economic landscape.

“Supported by Alberta’s Film and Television Tax Credit, this monumental production not only showcased the breathtaking facets of our province but also emphasized why Alberta, with over 180 diverse filming locations, is a world-class destination for large-scale film and television productions,” Jones said.

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Out of the $141 million budget, approximately half was spent on local goods and services while the other half went to wages and salaries.

A total of 1,490 full-time equivalent jobs were utilized, 840 new FTE positions were created, and around 1,000 businesses were supported.

The show was filmed in several locations throughout Alberta with communities such as Calgary, Fort Macleod, Waterton Lakes National Park, and Canmore being heavily featured. The High Level Bridge in Lethbridge was shown in a single shot.

HBO’s Executive Vice President Janet Graham Borba said the province’s varied natural landscapes made it easy to find great locations for shooting.

“Alberta provided The Last of Us with skilled creative talent and visually stunning backdrops as the story moved from east to west,” Borba said.

“Experiencing Alberta’s unique locations was a highlight for our production team. From big cities to small towns, the Rocky Mountains, prairies and forests, the province has it all.”

READ MORE: Alberta locations becoming Instagram hot spots thanks to The Last of Us

The show has been renewed for a second season, which is set to begin filming in the Vancouver area in early 2024.

Season one of The Last of Us was nominated for a total of 24 Emmy awards, and some of the nominees are from Canada:

• Paul Healy for Outstanding Production Design
• Chris Glimsdale and Penny Thompson for Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling
• Connie Parker and Joanna Mireau for Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)
• Cynthia Ann Summers, Kelsey Chobotar, Rebecca Toon and Michelle Carr for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
• Michael Playfair for Outstanding Sound Mixing in a Comedy or Drama
• Lamar Jackson for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

The first season involved local southern Albertans, both in front of and behind the camera, including Lethbridge actor Amanda Ruby Lybbert, costume buyer Lindsey Kapitzke of Lethbridge, and Emmy-nominated contemporary hairstylist Penny Thompson from Brooks.

The full report on the Economic Impacts of The Last of Us Season One in Alberta can be viewed on the MPA website.