Derelict vehicles are placed across the area, including this one on Skinner St. Long grass and vine-covered infrastructure are depicting the post-apocalyptic landscape of HBO's 'The Last of Us'. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

lights, camera, action

Filming to begin on HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ in Nanaimo

May 12, 2024 | 11:48 AM

NANAIMO — Nature has all but reclaimed a key area of the city’s downtown.

Set dressing crews working on filming scenes for the HBO series ‘The Last of Us’ have transformed a majority of Commercial St. in downtown Nanaimo into a post-apocalyptic version of Seattle ahead of filming on Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14.

Traffic control crews will be in position beginning around 2 a.m. on Monday, while film crews begin arriving at 5 a.m.

Cameras are expected to begin rolling at 7 a.m. on the presently closed-off Commercial St. and Skinner St., however it’s unclear exactly what will be shot or which on-screen talent will be in Nanaimo.

This abandoned vehicle on Commercial St., outside the Nanaimo Art Gallery, will serve as backdrop for scenes being shot this week. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Both filming days are expected to be 13 hours long and wrap by 8 p.m.

Some interruption to traffic along Terminal Ave. is also expected for up to three minutes at a time with traffic control crews directing vehicles as needed by the production.

After scenes wrap on Tuesday, crews will work overnight and into Wednesday, May 15 to clear Commercial St. and re-open most businesses on Commercial St. for Thursday morning.

Some businesses in the filming zone have indicated they will be closed a day or two longer.

Crews will remain on site, staged in Diana Krall Plaza until the end of the month, removing the set decorations and cleaning up the area.

NanaimoNewsNOW has learned the production is set to gift Nanaimo something for being a part of the show.

Local businesses were surveyed about their wishes, with improved lighting in the downtown core an apparent repeated request.

Gates are stationed at every entrance point of Commercial St., with security personnel on site. Behind, a weathered cube truck hides a crane used by film crews. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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