Filming for HBO’s new series The Last Of Us is underway in Alberta and despite only being few months since the camera first started rolling, the network has already made a lasting impression on the many cities chosen to host the cast and crew.

In Calgary, lead actors Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian, Narcos) and Bella Ramsey (Game Of Thrones) were spotted at restaurants and shops mingling with fans and posing for pictures and in Edmonton, inner-city slickers were given a master class on set design.

Niceties and even the behind-the-scenes photographs, however, were nothing compared to what will forever be remembered by those who live in High River.

A town completely changed by a historic flood in 2013, HR still has a few streets that still remain unoccupied by residents – making it the perfect location to film this particular show as they could build whatever, wherever they wanted.

For those of you who may not know, The Last of Us, is based on a video game of the same name and follows Joel (Pascal) a smuggler and Ellie (Ramsey), who, together are trying to escape a post-apocalyptic America, so as you can imagine, many of the seats are covered in rubble and moss and cars and buildings appear to be abandoned or destroyed.

For this, the town was compensated $100,000 – but here’s the wholesome twist!

Typically, this money would just get split between the town’s Community Vitality Advisory Committee and public arts but at the request of HBO, this money will be used to build two large legacy projects for the children who live in the area.

With respect to HBO, $80,000 will go towards a new bike pump track, while the remaining $20,000 will go towards the construction of a new elementary school playground.

As many have said that the area doesn’t have enough free outdoor resources for the younger crowd this is huge and pretty freaking cool to see.

Honestly, how many kids can say they regularly play on a playground that HBO built?

Hopefully, this won’t be the last that we hear about how this show has positively impact Alberta – but it’s a great start!

In return, the least we can do is support the show when it premiers in 2022.

Until then, we’ll be waiting!

Curiocity Staff

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