Lips are sealed on Netflix’s plans for filming on Prince Edward Island, but it’s starting to look like this summer in the province will be different.
The largest television production ever to come to P.E.I. was announced earlier this year — a 10-episode adaptation of Canadian author Carley Fortune’s bestselling romance novel This Summer Will Be Different.
But neither Netflix nor the film crew are saying much about the project, including where or when it’ll be shooting.
But there is evidence they’ve arrived — including dozens of film trucks and trailers with signs that include the name of the series, “producer,” “intimacy co-ordinator” and “dock jumper” in the parking lot of the Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown.
A film crew was also setting up at Charlottetown Alexander B. Campbell Airport on Tuesday, and there have been notices stating that the beach in North Rustico will be closed to the public on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. due to a film production.
Basin Head Provincial Park will also be closed to the public on Thursday, but the province — which invested $5 million in the project in the form of a rebate — didn’t confirm the reason.
A road down to a cottage is also blocked off, and there’s a sign that reads “TSWBD.”
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This Summer Will Be Different will be filmed on the Island as well as in Toronto, and was created by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart.
The series stars Sophie Nélisse — a Canadian actress known for her roles as Shauna Shipman in Yellowjackets and Rose Landry in Heated Rivalry — as well as Francesca Reale and Roby Attal.
In Fortune’s novel, Lucy Ashby (played by Nélisse) vacations on P.E.I. and meets Felix “Wolf” Clark (Attal).
Unfortunately, Felix is the younger brother of Lucy’s best friend, Bridget Clark (Reale). On annual returns to P.E.I., Lucy attempts to avoid Felix — but it isn’t easy.
Netflix Canada announced March 19 that This Summer Will Be Different would be getting an on-screen adaptation.
In early June, Netflix Canada director of production management Robin Neinstein described P.E.I. as not only “a backdrop in the book — it’s a living, breathing character.”
“There is simply no substitute for this special place. And we couldn’t be more thrilled to be filming here this summer,” Neinstein said at the time.
Filming is expected to require 75 positions such as production assistants, painters and caterers.
It’s not yet known when the series will premiere.
