There is something supernatural happening around Cochrane.
A new television series, Wynonna Earp, based on the graphic novels by Beau Smith, is currently wrapping up filming in the Cochrane area.
Executive producer of the show Emily Andras, who has written and produced for other science-fiction shows including Lost Girl and Killjoys, said she could not be more excited for the release.
“It is absolutely surreal and incredible,” Andras exclaimed during a phone interview.
“It is really kind of a dark, supernatural western – I hope they love that is has a strong female lead, who is kind of a mess but still tries to do the right thing and tries to be a hero even though nothing in her is heroic.”
The show, which has been described as Andras’ “baby,” will consist of a 13-episode pilot series to be aired in Canada and the United States starting in April.
“Like most babies, sometimes the process of getting them out into the world is painful, but then you look at it and it is so beautiful you forget about all the strife and trouble you went through to get there – we are so close to the end and I could not be more proud of the show,” Andras said.
Lead actress, Melanie Scrofano, originally from Ontario, has starred in various films and television series, including Saw VI, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Being Erica and RoboCop – and said it feels “surreal” playing the strong female lead.
Wynonna Earp, descendant of the famous lawman Wyatt Earp, is a top special agent for The Monster Squad, the special unit within the U.S. Marshals. The female lead fights trailer-trash vampires, hillbilly gremlins, and zombie mailmen, to name a few.
“It still quite hasn’t sunk in yet – I have never had more of a hand in something as I’ve had now and it really is satisfying,” Scrofano said.
“Of course she is strong but she also has weaknesses and part of her strength is that she does all the things she has to do, even though she doubts herself every day – it is so relatable in that way.”
Training the actress how to fight off vampires and demons is none other than Cochranite Steven McMichael, working on the series as the stunt coordinator, along with his wife Leslie McMichael, who is also a stunt double for the show.
The husband-wife duo said they both “love” working on the set for the show that is being shot in their hometown.
Filming for the series has taken part in the Cochrane area, taking advantage of the diverse landscape, Andras explained.
“I have really powerful, nostalgic feelings for southern Alberta – I had always hoped that if my career went the way I wanted it to go in television that I could set a show here,” Andras said.
Scrofano described the location as “breath-taking.”
“It is completely majestic – it feels like a storybook that just transports you to a fictional place. This is the first time I’ve spent any significant amount of time in Cochrane and I will say, it is a sweet place and kind people, and good coffee,” Scrofano said.
Producers are hopeful residents of the town will watch the show and recognize the sets.
“I think it’s a location that is under-utilized in television – when you are looking to make a TV show on a schedule and budget, there is something about the location that just brings so much to the table. It is really epic and makes you feel something and southern Alberta has something familiar for people who grew up with westerns, it is familiar yet haunting, and it is just an incredible place to set a TV show.”
The producer said crew members have also been utilizing businesses in town, stopping in their favourite lunch spots, such as Guy’s Café & Bakery.
“The café and bakery is really popular with the film crews because they bake such fresh bread and have delicious sandwiches,” Andras said.
Filming started last September with Seven24 Films, a Canadian production company. The Calgary-based company has been around since the 1980s, producing a variety of TV series including, North of 60 and currently Heartland.
“I hope people think it is fun and unique (and) I hope it finds an audience who really digs it and thinks it is fun,” Andras said.
Wynonna Earp premieres Friday, April 1 on SyFy in the U.S., and on CHCH in Canada.
