Tim Roth and Christina Hendricks in Alberta for new TV series
Dave Dormer | CBC News | Posted: November 2, 2016 2:03 AM | Last Updated: November 3, 2016
Tim Roth and Christina Hendricks headlining British series set in Canada
A new British television series is the latest project to film here in Alberta, attracting a pair of big names from Hollywood.
Tin Star, a 10-hour drama set to air on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom next year, stars Tim Roth — yes, that Tim Roth — and Christina Hendricks of Mad Men fame,
The show is described by producers as "a contemporary revenge story set entirely in Canada."
"It's about a British cop who leaves the UK to come and work with the Canadian police force and escape his past," executive producer Alison Jackson told The Homestretch.
"He wants to come to Canada to raise his family in a mountain idyll, but, of course, the past comes back to haunt him. A big corporation comes to town and the idyll is destroyed."
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The revenge arc begins after an apparent suicide proves not to be, and 24 hours later, the main character's life is shattered.
"It's a double revenge tale with our central character driven to find the criminal who's carried out the horrific act of violence against his family," said Jackson.
"It's a double revenge because the perpetrator is also seeking revenge against our central character because of something terrible he did in his past when he worked as an undercover cop in the UK."
Filming primarily takes place in High River, standing in for the fictitious town of Little Big Bear, however scenes are also being filmed in Bragg Creek and Waterton, along with the newly opened Calgary Film Centre.
"Truthfully, it was a creative decision," said Jackson on what brought the production to Alberta.
"When we first came here and met all the people we could work with and saw the opportunities and the great crews you have here, it all came together."
Scheduled to air next year
Filming began in June and is expected to wrap for the season in mid-December.
"Our finale, we'll probably be filming up in the mountains, and we would like to have snow," said Jackson.
"You seem to be able to squeeze in four seasons in one day here."
Tin Star is scheduled to be broadcast in the UK beginning in September 2017 and Jackson said negotiations are ongoing for a North American release.
With files from The Homestretch