The Last Of Us Calgary

Where was the last of us filmed?

Hollywood has come to Calgary! If you're looking for more information about HBO's newest series The last of us - The highly-awaited TV adaptation of this award-winning post-apocalyptic video game was filmed all throughout Calgary, Alberta.

The Last of Us Cast Raves About Filming in Calgary

That’s right, the same streets you take your dog for a stroll are the same desolate, overgrown streets you see in The Last of Us.

As one of HBO's most ambitious projects yet, the show quickly became the network’s second-largest debut since 2010. And we can’t forget its rumoured budget of $100 million USD. 

It also happens to be the biggest production in Alberta’s history, no big deal or anything!

Use our quick navigation guide below to jump to any point of our blog on TLOU;

• Photo sets around Calgary
• Map of where The Last of Us was shot
• The Last of Us Cast Loved to Film in Calgary
• The Landscape
• The Culture
• Why is The Last of Us such a big deal? What’s the hype all about?
• That’s a wrap on the biggest production in Alberta’s history

While viewers are professing their love for the show (shout out to the whopping 97% on rotten tomatoes), the cast members have been professing their love for Calgary!

The Last of Us cast was travelling all around the province for an entire year of filming and they simply couldn’t have enough fantastic things to say.

From its vibrant culture to its diverse landscape, this is one Canadian city that’s made a lasting impression on the cast. Let’s take a closer look at the filming locations and how they’ve captured everyone’s hearts.

Hundreds of extremely elaborate sets were spread out across Alberta, most of which could be found in and around Calgary.

WE BET YOU’VE NEVER SEEN MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY LOOKING LIKE THIS…

NORTHLAND VILLAGE MALL COULD USE A LITTLE SWEEPING…

WHILE SOME OF THE LOCATIONS AND SKYLINES AREN’T IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIABLE, LOCALS WILL BE SURE TO RECOGNIZE THE CAST POSING IN FRONT OF THE BELOVED CALGARY SKYLINE…

TRAVEL ALBERTA HAS COMPILED A MAP OF ALL THE LOCATIONS FEATURED IN HBO’S THE LAST OF US! EXPLORE THE MAP TO SEE WHERE SCENES WERE SHOT ACROSS THE PROVINCE, AND RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY.

Filming locations will be added to the map as the episodes are released! So far, only two out of nine episodes have aired. 

We can’t wait to see what other Calgary areas were transformed for the show. Word has it that we can expect to see other places like Chinook Centre and the YYC Airport tunnel.

The Last of Us Cast Loved Filming in Calgary

It's no secret that Canada is an attractive filming location for Hollywood productions due to its generous tax credits and stunning natural beauty. But the cast and crew of The Last Of Us seemed especially taken with Calgary's charm.  

Stars Pedro Pascal (who plays Joel Miller) and Bella Ramsey (who plays Ellie Williams) both had some pretty amazing things to say in an interview with Mobile Syrup.

From the people to the landscapes, it seems Calgary made a lasting impression on the cast and crew.

“I feel like being there was essential to the experience – that we couldn’t have done it anywhere else” - Pascal.

In the interview, both Ramsey and Pascal were excited to proclaim Canmore as a favorite among the places they visited while in the province.

Pascal specifically noted while they traveled all over Alberta, Canmore is where he keeps coming back to. “Every inch of Canmore was just this magical little town… with really great fudge.”

Gabriel Luna was recently seen taking in a Calgary Flames game in January 2023, he was even spotted with our very own @calgaryrealestateagent ( Instagram ) on the jumbotron and took a picture together on the concourse  and shouted out @duskosremac_repyyc for tagging him! Which was subsequently followed up with reports by CBC and Narcity quoting Luna as saying 

'The Last Of Us' Star Gabriel Luna Said He's A 'Flames Fan For Life' After Being In Calgary

We're not jumping to conclusions... But there's a decent chance Gabriel Luna rocks a REPYYC hat at some point. 

When speaking at the premiere of The Last of Us, Pascal expressed how powerful it was filming in Alberta

The Landscape

Calgary is home to some truly breathtaking landscapes and backdrops – something that hasn't gone unnoticed by co-director Neil Druckmann and his co-showrunner Craig Mazin.

Mazin gushed in the interview about how “fantastic” it was to shoot in Alberta because it was the perfect location to bring the story to life. The Last of Us needed to follow the characters through space and time, with scenes requiring their own environment, weather, and seasons.

“We needed snow, we got snow! We needed it to be cold, it was cold! But we also had the Canadian Rockies... We needed people on horseback, no problem.”

Mazin explained the cast and crew travelled all around the province, “We’ve been everywhere, and it was a delight. And I miss Calgary and I miss all the folks there. It was an incredible experience to shoot there.”

The Culture

The vibrant culture of Calgary is also something that has caught the eye of many members of the cast and crew. 

We personally can’t get enough of Ramsey toting a Calgary flames toque, embracing the Calgary spirit and joking about how they’ve “accidentally become Canadian.”

Why is The Last of Us such a big deal? What’s the hype all about?

The Last of Us just so happens to be a highly-rated video game that took the gaming world by storm when it came out. We’re talking about the kind of breathtaking adventure that dreams are made of–or in some cases, nightmares!

Developed by the award-winning studio Naughty Dog, the game not only features intense graphics but an emotional storyline. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where the fate of humanity rests on the shoulders of the characters, the story follows Joel and his companion Ellie. Moral and emotional aspects unfold as they make their way through a dangerous new world filled with vicious survivors and infected humans.

What truly sets it apart from in its niche is the game's immense emotional power, driven by its dynamic writing, engaging storyline and attention to detail.

Whether you’re a fan of the zombie horror genre or a stealthy hunter, it's clear to see why this game stole the hearts of players worldwide.

 That’s a wrap on the biggest production in Alberta’s history.

It seems clear that The Last of Us cast loved their time in Calgary–who wouldn’t? From its artistic people, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, there are plenty of reasons why anyone would be enamoured by their time spent in this gorgeous province. 

Catch the series on Crave to see Alberta in all its beauty on the big screen!