The year of the zombie: How HBO's mega-budgeted The Last of Us took over the province from Waterton to Grande Prairie

HBO ’s blockbuster zombie series The Last Of Us was one of the biggest arts and entertainment stories in Alberta for the years 2022 and 2023 .

The production, which co-stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey , spent most of 2022 here criss-crossing the province for its first season .

It pumped $141-million into the province and created 1,490 jobs, which officially made it the biggest production to ever film in Canada .

Much of the action takes place in 2023 , 20 years after a pandemic turned a large portion of the human race into flesh-eating zombies.

The production shot in Edmonton , Canmore , Nanton , Okotoks , Lethbridge , Bragg Creek , Grande Prairie , the Stoney Nakoda Nation and the wintry climes of Kananaskis Country .

Calgary and Alberta are very accommodating to film and television crews.

“There’s nothing that can’t be done here,” Nolan says. “We have a variety of looks and the crew and the willingness from all jurisdictions, not just the province but the cities and small towns. Everyone tends to welcome it.” The Last of Us starts Jan. 15 on HBO ..