Where was Earth Abides season 1 filmed? All filming locations explored

Earth Abides season 1 is a post-apocalyptic series inspired by George R. Stewart’s book of the same title. The show captures audiences' interest with its depiction of a world transformed by an enigmatic pandemic. It skillfully utilizes its settings to create a captivating background of deserted towns, advancing nature, and mankind’s effort to rebuild.

The show's filming took place in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, an area recognized for its diverse scenery. Vancouver's unique ability to double for various settings made it an ideal choice for depicting a world in decline. The mix of urban and natural landscapes brought the story to life, highlighting the coexistence of desolation and renewal.

While downtown Vancouver served as a key urban filming location, Stanley Park and the Capilano Suspension Bridge were used to depict nature reclaiming human spaces. The production combined practical effects and digital enhancements to create the illusion of a deserted yet eerily beautiful world.

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Major filming locations of Earth Abides season 1

Downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada

The main filming location for Earth Abides season 1 was downtown Vancouver. The bustling city streets were transformed into eerily quiet, abandoned urban landscapes, effectively portraying the collapse of civilization. Using advanced special effects, the production team created an empty, desolate look, enhancing the sense of isolation felt by the protagonist, Ish.

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Stanley Park, Vancouver

Stanley Park, a sprawling green space in Vancouver, represented nature reclaiming its place in the world. Its dense foliage and wildlife covered abandoned buildings and roads, symbolizing humanity's diminishing footprint. The scenes shot here highlight the contrast between the decay of human structures and the resurgence of natural beauty.

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Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver

The Capilano Suspension Bridge was crucial to the narrative. It functioned as both a tangible and meaningful framework, symbolizing relationships and isolation. A crucial moment in which Ish confronts a difficult choice regarding humanity's future was shot here, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.

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San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

The Bay Bridge, linking San Francisco and Oakland, featured prominently in significant scenes to highlight the extensive desolation of city spaces post-pandemic. This landmark serves as a reminder of a world that once flourished and the ties that are now broken.

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High Roller Ferris Wheel, Paradise, Nevada

The High Roller, a Ferris wheel standing 550 feet tall in Las Vegas, served as another notable filming site. Providing sweeping vistas of the Las Vegas Strip, it appeared in scenes that highlighted traces of human ingenuity in a devastated world. Its imposing stature brought a sense of surrealism to the narrative.

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Plot of Earth Abides season 1

Earth Abides season 1 focuses on Isherwood "Ish" Williams, who survives a mysterious pandemic that has decimated a large portion of the world’s population. Emerging from solitude, Ish finds a world empty of people yet rich with traces of human existence.

Reluctant at first, Ish eventually becomes a leader among a small group of survivors, grappling with the challenges of rebuilding a community in a changed world. Together, they navigate loss, hope, and the rekindling of human connections amidst the ruins.

The official logline of Earth Abides season 1 on Amazon MGM Studios reads:

"In Earth Abides, when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out. In the aftermath, as the great machine of civilization slowly and inexorably breaks down, only a few shattered survivors remain to struggle against the slide into extinction."

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Cast and characters

A still from Earth Abides season 1 (Image via Prime Video)

The series features a talented ensemble cast that brings its characters to life:

• Alexander Ludwig as Ish Williams, the reluctant leader and protagonist.
• Jessica Frances Dukes as Emma, a survivor with a strong sense of hope.
• Aaron Tveit as Charlie, a resourceful and determined member of the group.
• Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll as Jorge, a character embodying ingenuity in the face of adversity.
• Elyse Levesque as Maurine, whose perspective challenges Ish’s leadership.
• Luisa D’Oliveira as Molly, an optimistic survivor.
• Birkett Turton as Ezra, a voice of reason in the new society.
• Hilary McCormack as Jean, a key ally in the rebuilding efforts.
• Jenna Berman as Evie, a symbol of the next generation.

The filming locations of Earth Abides season 1 played a critical role in telling its story. From the hauntingly quiet streets of downtown Vancouver to the wild beauty of Stanley Park and Burnaby’s forests, each site added depth to the narrative.

By blending urban decay with natural resurgence, the series not only brought George R. Stewart’s vision to life but also offered viewers a thought-provoking exploration of resilience and renewal.

As fans eagerly await the next season, the settings of Earth Abides will remain etched in memory as a testament to the power of location in storytelling.