Summary
The miniseries Wilderness features a British couple on a vacation in the United States that will change their lives, with filming locations spanning across North America.
Liv and Will's hotel in Yosemite National Park was The Fairmont Banff Springs Resort, located in Alberta, Canada. This picturesque resort served as the backdrop for the series. Additionally, other Canadian locations like Kananaskis and Whistler were utilized to portray scenes from Yosemite National Park.
Amazon Prime Video has released Wilderness, a gripping new drama miniseries that explores the challenges faced by a couple struggling with trust during a life-changing vacation. To capture the British newlyweds' adventure across the United States, the cast and crew embarked on a journey to multiple captivating filming locations. However, the series ventured beyond one country's borders.
Starring Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Liv and Will Taylor, the British couple who have recently tied the knot and relocated to New York, Wilderness showcases their enthralling story. Joining them in this thrilling miniseries are Ashley Benson as Cara Parker, Morgana Van Peebles as Ash, Claire Rushbrook as Caryl, Talia Balsam as Bonnie, Eric Balfour as Garth, Marsha Stephanie Blake as Detective Rawlings, and Jonathan Keltz as Detective Wiseman. With only six episodes, Wilderness encapsulates an intense narrative while maximizing the diverse landscapes of North America.
Fairmont Banff Springs Resort, Alberta, Canada
According to Ready Steady Cut, the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort in Banff, Alberta, Canada was one of the main locations used in the Amazon Prime Video series. Situated in Banff National Park, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and the Rocky Mountain range. Standing at an elevation of 4,639 ft, the resort provides an overlook of the valley.
Despite Wilderness never being set in Canada, the cast and crew were fortunate enough to film several scenes at the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort. Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen's characters journey through different parts of the United States, including a visit to Yosemite National Park in California. Hence, this picturesque resort serves as Liv and Will's hotel in Yosemite in the Amazon Prime Video TV show.
Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada
The production team of Wilderness decided to use various locations in Canada to film the scenes set in Yosemite National Park for the miniseries on Amazon Prime Video. One of these locations was Kananaskis Country in Alberta, which boasts vast mountain ranges that closely resemble the breathtaking views found in the iconic national park in California. Consequently, the camera crew took numerous shots of Kananaskis, allowing the post-production team to incorporate "Yosemite" establishing shots in the Wilderness episode where Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen's characters venture to the famous California national park.
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Not confined to Alberta in Canada, The Wilderness cast and crew voyaged to British Columbia as well to capture an array of scenes for the gripping miniseries. Specifically, the production team opted for the Whistler Olympic Park and the Cal Cheak trail in the Canadian town to immortalize the breathtaking hiking sequences reminiscent of Yosemite National Park. These sequences showcased the phenomenal talents of Jenna Coleman, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ashley Benson, and Eric Balfour.
Additionally, as reported by Country & Town House, the scene featuring Liv and Cara, portrayed by Coleman and Benson respectively, engaging in conversation on a suspended bridge above a roaring river was filmed in an alternative location within Whistler. Unfortunately, due to uncontrollable factors such as the noise of the rushing water and adverse weather conditions, capturing the essence of the moment proved challenging. Nonetheless, upon viewing Wilderness on Amazon Prime Video, one can attest that the scene ultimately achieved greatness, triumphing over the obstacles it confronted.
Vancouver and Squamish In British Columbia, Canada
For the Yosemite National Park sequences, the Wilderness production crew utilized the picturesque cities of Vancouver and Squamish in British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver, renowned for its film and television production facilities, proved to be an ideal choice for the Amazon Prime Video series. While some New York scenes were shot in Vancouver, Locations Manager Michael Farias revealed that the city was also utilized to showcase the breathtaking beauty of the West Coast. Good to Know, indeed.
Arizona, United States
The stunning municipality of Squamish, located just north of Vancouver, served as the picturesque backdrop for filming the exhilarating white water rafting scenes. Additionally, Squamish was also utilized as one of the filming locations for the television show's Yosemite National Park sequences. However, it is worth noting that only the white water rafting ride scenes were captured in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.
While the Yosemite National Park episode of Wilderness could not be filmed in California, the cast and crew had to travel to Canada. However, they were able to capture other scenes set in the United States in their actual locations. Among Liv and Will Taylor's destinations in the Amazon Prime Video miniseries was Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and the show went to the state to film these sequences. Replicating such a renowned landmark was challenging, so they were left with no choice but to visit a non-public area of the Grand Canyon for these shots.
Las Vegas, United States
Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen's characters embarked on a journey to Las Vegas, Nevada, in the thriller television show Wilderness. This iconic location, known as the Las Vegas strip, is truly one-of-a-kind and cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. In the fourth episode of the show, viewers can catch a glimpse of this vibrant city. The decision to set part of the story in Sin City was perfect, as it reflected the intense and high-stakes nature of Liv and Will Taylor's tumultuous relationship. As their journey reaches a downward spiral, Las Vegas acts as the pinnacle destination before they ret
New York, United States
While Liv and Will's relationship takes a transformative turn during their adventure in Wilderness, it's important to note that they also have a home base in the bustling city of New York. The gripping TV show ultimately concludes in this final location. Although Liv and Will's apartment was specially prepared for the miniseries, the exterior scenes set in the city were skillfully captured in both New York City and Vancouver for Wilderness on Amazon Prime Video.
Sources: Ready Steady Cut, Country & Town House, Good to Know