Discover Hollywood North: Film and TV Highlights at Canada’s Historic Sites
Canada’s reputation as “Hollywood North”, a popular filming location for movies and TV shows around the world, is certainly no exaggeration. While cities like Toronto and Vancouver can be popular stand-ins for American cities like New York City or Seattle, did you know that Canada’s historic sites are also popular filming locations? From Marvel to DC, Netflix to Amazon Prime, murder-mysteries to romantic comedies, Canada’s historic sites have welcomed film and TV shows like Shadowhunters, X-men, The Boys, The Umbrella Academy, and many, many more. Explore the world of film and TV at these Passport Places from coast-to-coast.
Diefenbunker, Ottawa, ON
Photo: Diefenbunker
Built to house key members of the government and military in the event of a nuclear attack, the Diefenbunker was the site of some of Canada’s most top-secret communication during the Cold War and is an important Cold War historic site. At any given time, the bunker was prepared to house and feed over 500 people for 30 days. Sci-fi/horror short film Zygote, starring Dakota Fanning, transformed the Diefenbunker into a mining facility in the Arctic Circle.
Visitors to the Diefenbunker can try their hand at several escape rooms, take a tour of the site, or visit Cold War exhibits.
Photo: Still from Zygote (source: Oats Studios)
Photo: Courtesy of the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum
Blast tunnel of the Diefenbunker transformed for the shooting of Zygote
Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Richmond, BC
Photo: Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Steveston, BC
Located in the historic village of Stevenston, Gulf of Georgia Cannery has been a popular filming location across film and TV. In Supernatural Season 7 Episode 19 “Of Grave Importance”, the Cannery was featured as the “Bodega Bay Museum” and was also a series regular on Once Upon a Time as Storybrooke Cannery. Twilight fans will be excited to learn that Gulf of Georgia Cannery has starred alongside our favourite sparkly vampires in the opening scene of Eclipse, the third instalment in the popular franchise.
Aside from gracing our screens, Gulf of Georgia Cannery preserves the historical significance of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry through exhibitions, programs, and events. Plus, Gulf of Georgia Cannery is walking distance from other historic sites, such as Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site and Steveston Interurban Tram.
https://gulfofgeorgiacannery.org/
Parkwood National Historic Site, Oshawa, ON
Photo: Parkwood National Historic Site
Located in Oshawa, this former residence of automotive tycoon and founder of General Motors Canada Samuel McLaughlin transports visitors back to the 1920s and 1930s. Aside from an impressive 55 rooms, it also boasts beautifully landscaped gardens. It’s no surprise that Parkwood Estate is a popular filming location. In addition to a multitude of films and TV shows like Shadowhunters, Handmaid’s Tale, The Umbrella Academy, Reign and more (Parkwood Estate even has a list of films and TV shows filmed on site!) Parkwood Estate has seen mutants in training in the first X-men film, Vought superheroes in Prime’s The Boys, an imaginary penguin being chased by Adam Sandler in Billy Madison, and a murderous games night in Ready or Not.
Whether you’re a film addict, a TV superfan, or just interested in Canadian history and beautiful architecture, Parkwood Estate offers numerous tours for visitors eager to explore this luxurious home and occasional film set.
https://www.parkwoodestate.com/
Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria, BC
Photo: Craigdarroch Castle
Don’t let this castle’s Scottish name deceive you – this 19th-century castle and testament to Victorian grandeur is located in Victoria, British Columbia. Built by coal tycoon Robert Dunsmuir (who sadly never got to live in the home), the castle has been used as location or background in a number of films including Richie Rich and Little Women (1994).
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Whitehern Historic House and Garden, Hamilton, ON
Photo: Hamilton Halton Brant
It’s no surprise that Whitehern, what is widely considered to be one of Canada’s most historically intact homes, would appear in historical dramas. Built in 1848, Whitehern was once the home of the McQueston family, and today showcases Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian influences within the home. In Murdoch Mysteries Season 1 Episode 4, Murdoch visits the Duke Hotel (played by Whitehern) to meet with Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The Commissariat, St. John’s, NL
Photo: See the Sites
As one of the oldest buildings in St. John’s, The Commissariat was built between 1818 and 1820 and was once the home and offices of the Assistant Commissary General (the supply officer for British forces in Newfoundland). While Netflix’s show Frontier, starring Jason Momoa, tells the story of the fur trade in James Bay, Ontario, filming took place in Newfoundland and Labrador, including at The Commissariat. The interior of The Commissariat played the role of governor’s residence, while the exterior played as other locations in James Bay. Visitors to The Commissariat can be transported back to the 1830s and explore life in Newfoundland under British naval rule.
https://www.seethesites.ca/sites/the-commissariat/
Want to explore more filming locations at historic places across Canada? Check out this VisitList!
The above historic sites are part of the Trust’s Passport Places program, a National Trust membership benefit that provides free access to over 100 historic places in Canada, as well as 1000+ National Trust places abroad. Become a member today!
