DIDSBURY - The town has been nominated for an international award as the setting of the TV series Under the Banner of Heaven.
The nomination for Outstanding Locations in a TV Series Program, Anthology or Limited Series comes from the Location Managers Guild International. Didsbury was the set for many scenes in the TV series, filmed in 2021.
Matt Palmer, locations manager for the show, said the decision to film in town proved to be a great choice.
“We could not have done it without the amazing support from everyone in Didsbury,” Palmer said in a press release.
The series tells the story of the murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her baby in Utah in 1984. It is now streaming on Disney+ and based on the novel by Jon Krakauer.
The decision to film in Didsbury came after considering more than 100 locations in the region. The former Didsbury fire hall was the location for the show’s police department.
As well, the town was the scene of a large parade sequence, including marching bands, floats and hundreds of extras dress in period dress.
A series of car chases were also shot in town, and a house was used as the residence for one of the show’s characters.
Producer Anna Culp called Didsbury a good choice for the show.
“The town was incredibly accommodating,” said Culp. “And the townspeople were amazing. Just lovely.”
The series was shot in Didsbury between August and December 2021, contributing about $600,000 to the local economy.
Crews and actors were encouraged to eat at local restaurants and shop locally, and local residents were hired as extras and some homeowners were compensated.
The Outstanding Locations in a TV Series Program, Anthology or Limited Series award winner will be announced on Aug. 27.
