The quirky and captivating SYFY series, Resident Alien, has charmed audiences with its blend of sci-fi, comedy, and small-town charm. A key ingredient to its appeal is the seemingly idyllic setting of Patience, Colorado. With Season 3 now airing, fans are often left wondering: is Patience a real place, and Where Was Resident Alien Filmed to bring this town to life?
While Patience, Colorado, may feel like a genuine slice of Americana, it exists only in the realm of fiction. However, the show’s production team has meticulously crafted its visual identity by filming in real-world locations, primarily in British Columbia, Canada. Let’s delve into the fascinating locations that stand in for Patience, Colorado, and uncover the magic behind the on-screen setting of Resident Alien.
Sound Stages in Vancouver: The Heart of Patience
Despite the snowy mountain backdrop often associated with Colorado, the production of Resident Alien is firmly rooted in Vancouver, British Columbia. A significant portion of the filming occurs within the controlled environment of sound stages in Vancouver.
Production designer Michael Joy explained the importance of these stages: “We have two soundstages… On the soundstages are the diner, the mayor’s office, police station, and D’Arcy and Asta’s apartment. In the other studio, we have Harry’s cabin interior, the Hawthornes’ house, and the bar.” This concentration of key interior sets within sound stages provides the production team with maximum control over lighting, sound, and set design, ensuring a consistent visual aesthetic for Patience’s familiar locations. This studio setup is crucial for the efficiency of filming a series with a complex narrative and diverse settings.
Britannia Beach: Harry’s Lakeside Cabin Exterior
While the interior of Harry Vanderspeigle’s secluded cabin is built on a soundstage, the exterior shots of this iconic location are found at Britannia Beach, British Columbia. Nestled along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway, Britannia Beach offers stunning coastal views. Interestingly, location manager Ken Brooker clarified that while it appears to be a lakeside cabin on screen, it actually overlooks an inlet of the Howe Sound. “It’s part of the Howe Sound… so you can cheat that reasonably and make it look like a lake,” Brooker noted.
The production team chose this location for its visual appeal and the ability to create the illusion of a remote lakeside setting without the logistical challenges of a truly isolated location. The exterior facade of the cabin was specifically constructed at Britannia Beach to capture the picturesque shots seen in the series, seamlessly blending the real-world backdrop with the soundstage interiors.
Snowy Peaks of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor: Glacial Backdrops
For scenes requiring dramatic snowy glacier landscapes, Resident Alien utilizes the breathtaking scenery of British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky Corridor. Specifically, Rainbow Mountain and the Pemberton Ice Cap serve as stand-ins for the Colorado wilderness.
Brooker highlighted the challenging nature of filming in these high-altitude locations: “Both of those locations were helicopter access only. It was really a challenge to [get] people and gear and everything to and from [there].” The remote and icy conditions of Rainbow Mountain and Pemberton Ice Cap provide the authentic, awe-inspiring glacial vistas that enhance the show’s visual storytelling, particularly when Harry finds himself in remote, otherworldly situations.
Ladysmith, Vancouver Island: Downtown Patience Comes to Life
To bring the charming downtown streets of Patience to life, the production team ventures to Ladysmith, a real small town located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This location provides the quintessential small-town Americana atmosphere that the showrunners envisioned for Patience.
Accessing Ladysmith involves “a two-hour ferry ride,” according to Michael Joy, emphasizing the commitment of the production to find the perfect setting. Joy describes the filming process in Ladysmith as a well-organized “military operation” where they “dress three blocks of the town” to transform it into Patience. This involves modifying storefronts and streetscapes to match the fictional Colorado town’s aesthetic.
Kevin McLean, assistant location manager, noted the historical architecture of Ladysmith, dating back to the early 1900s, as a key factor in its suitability. The town’s historical character and welcoming community made it an ideal choice for representing Patience. Brooker emphasized the fortunate geographic proximity of key locations within Ladysmith, such as the town hall, clinic, and “The 59” bar, which are visually linked in the show, making Ladysmith a cohesive and believable filming location.
Ladysmith’s history as a former mining town also resonates with the fictional narrative of Patience, adding another layer of authenticity to the setting. The town’s website reveals a historical coal mine explosion, mirroring events within Resident Alien, and a connection to local First Nations, further enriching the town’s real-world parallels to its fictional counterpart.
Local Hotspots: Where the Cast and Crew Unwind in Ladysmith
During filming in Ladysmith, the cast and crew immerse themselves in the local community, frequenting various establishments. Plantitude, a vegan restaurant, became a popular choice, particularly catering to cast members with specific dietary needs. Interestingly, Pamela Anderson, a Ladysmith native, is a known patron of Plantitude, adding a touch of celebrity connection to the local dining scene.
Other favored spots include Zack’s Lounge, Roberts Street Pizza, and Old Town Bakery, offering a taste of Ladysmith’s local flavors. Brooker also mentioned a newly reopened hotel with a pool table, contributing to the “small-town feel” experienced by the Resident Alien production team while filming on location.
Catching Resident Alien: How to Watch
For those eager to experience the meticulously crafted world of Patience, Colorado, Resident Alien Season 3 is currently airing on SYFY, with new episodes every Wednesday at 10/9c. Episodes are also available for streaming the next day on Peacock.
Peacock offers access to the first two seasons of Resident Alien as well, with various subscription plans available, including student discounts. This makes it easy for viewers to delve into the captivating story and appreciate the stunning locations that bring Patience, Colorado, to life, even though where Resident Alien was filmed is actually in beautiful British Columbia.
In conclusion, while Patience, Colorado, is a figment of creative imagination, the filming locations for Resident Alien are very real and incredibly scenic. From the sound stages of Vancouver to the charming streets of Ladysmith and the glacial vistas of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, British Columbia provides the diverse and captivating backdrop for this beloved SYFY series. By understanding where Resident Alien was filmed, viewers can gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and location scouting that contribute to the show’s immersive world.
