Editor’s note: this story contains no storyline spoilers from the Sunday, May 4 episode of ‘The Last of Us.’
NANAIMO — The Harbour City was in the national TV spotlight this weekend, as the Sunday, May 4 episode of the HBO series ‘The Last of Us’ featured Nanaimo as the main backdrop.
The major production shut down parts of the downtown during the six weeks of filming last spring, transforming the area into a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
In the fourth episode of season two, main character Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) and Dina (played by Isabela Merced) arrived in Seattle, with Nanaimo playing the role of the Washington state city.
Keen-eyed fans might have spotted a few familiar locations, with at least two businesses having scenes filmed inside, with the transformed Commercial St. serving as the episode’s main backdrop.
Street and pedestrian closures were also announced along Skinner and Bastion Streets, as crews added an extra layer of grime, shrubbery, and aging vehicles to city streets.
While it’s not clear how much of Nanaimo will be featured in the show, based on the ending of Sunday’s episode, there’s a chance we haven’t seen the last of Nanaimo on one of HBO’s biggest shows.
A number of familiar downtown Nanaimo sites could be seen during the Sunday, May 4 new episode of The Last of Us, including this shot on Skinner St. taken during filming, with the matching shot from the episode below. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey, front) and Dina (played by Isabela Merced) along Skinner St. with the Evolve Nightclub in the background. (HBO)
A submitted photo showing Reds Bakery on Commercial St. looking down Skinner St. with an archway constructed for the show. (Submitted/Red’s Bakery)
Commercial St. in downtown Nanaimo was almost unrecognizable during Sunday’s episode. (HBO)
Doubles for actors Bella Ramsey (front) and Isabela Merced, who play characters Ellie and Dina, setting up for a scene along Nanaimo’s Skinner St. in May of 2024. (Submitted/Reds Bakery)Owner of Quintessential Fashion on Commercial St. Carla Samson told NanaimoNewsNOW Iast year during filming, crews kept disruptions to a minimum and compensated affected businesses while setting up.
“They’re trying to be very respectful of all the businesses, so any of the work they have to do they’re trying to do pre-business opening…. I think it’s going to have a positive impact in the downtown especially.”
Once filming was complete, it only took a few days for the set to be torn down and downtown Nanaimo was returned to its former glory, with ‘The Last of Us’ contributing to over $3.2 million in economic benefit to the area in 2024.
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