The Mid-Island city of Nanaimo has received a big boost to its local economy and tourism industry, thanks to the filming of The Last of Us season two. This hit HBO series, based on the popular video game, has transformed Nanaimo’s downtown into a post-apocalyptic version of Seattle, Washington, and the result has been a thrill for locals and fans alike.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog expressed excitement about the filming, noting how the production has had a positive impact on the community. “The transformation of our downtown core was amazing,” said Krog, who emphasized how filming drew tourists and boosted local business traffic. Local businesses, some of which had to temporarily close for filming, were compensated for the disruption.
Season two of The Last of Us picks up five years after the events of the first season, continuing the journey of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they navigate a dangerous, post-pandemic world. Fans of the show will get a chance to spot Nanaimo in episode four.
The city isn’t new to the film industry; movies like Godzilla have been shot in Nanaimo, and with this new HBO production, the region is hoping to attract more high-profile projects in the future. Krog is optimistic that Nanaimo’s participation in a show as big as The Last of Us will continue to boost its profile as a filming location.
For now, viewers can look forward to seeing their city in the upcoming season, with new faces like Catherine O’Hara joining the cast, as well as several other British Columbian locations being featured.
The second season of The Last of Us premieres on April 13, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.
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