Filming in Vancouver: Riverdale, When Calls the Heart, iZombie, Supergirl, and Supernatural

The influx of TV series returning to the busy streets of Vancouver continues this week, with another batch getting back on set around town.

Among them is a hit teen drama series, a Western romance-drama, a longrunning supernatural series, a gal-powered superhero series, and a zomcom-drama.

If you want to know more, then read on, but a caveat: if you haven’t caught up on all your binge-watching, let it be known that ahead there lie many a summary of season finales that have aired over the past few months. And so: spoiler alert.)

Today, two TV drama series that have garnered strong followings start in on their latest seasons.

Shooting of the popular Riverdale was scheduled to get underway on Season 3 today (July 9), continuing until April 19 next year.

However, an Instagram post by Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa indicated that it started on Friday (July 6). It was accompanied with a pic of a topless KJ Apa (who plays Archie)—because why not?

Look who’s back in red and fighting shape for Season 3 of #Riverdale. We start Friday. SO EXCITED!

A post shared by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (@writerras) on Jul 3, 2018 at 7:42am PDT

In addition to Apa, the cast also includes Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Madelaine Petsch, Cole Sprouse, Ashleigh Murray, Mädchen Amick, Luke Perry, Mark Consuelos, Marisol Nichols, Casey Cott, and Skeet Ulrich.

And both Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz and Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle have been promoted to series regulars—so we’ll be seeing plenty more of their characters.

Adding to the dark fun, a strange new family is also expected to move in: new-age health guru Edgar Evernever and his daughter Evelyn, who may have some sinister secrets.

As Season 2 closed with a cliffhanger involving Archie being arrested, the Season 3 premiere will likely pick up with the fallout of that.

And it’s only a few months now before they hit the small screen again—Season 3 is scheduled to premiere on October 10.

Meanwhile another TV series to do with matters of the heart gets its start today on its latest season—one that will deal with the aftermath of major heartbreak.

The Canadian-American family drama When Calls the Heart, set in a Western Canadian coal-mining town,launches into production on Season 6 today and runs until October 31.

The Season 5 finale in April delivered a shocker, as the series’ central romance between teacher Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) and RCMP officer Jack Thorton (Daniel Lissing) came to an end when the death of Jack was revealed.

The unanticipated shakeup sparked an uproar from upset Hearties.

However, the abrupt departure of Jack means that there’s lots of potential new territory for the show to explore—and how the show handles this transition will be something to watch in itself.

There’s also some promise ahead, due to a pregnancy revealed in the finale as well.

What’s more, as Season 6 will premiere in 2019, there will once again be a When Calls the Heart Christmas special this year that will bridge Seasons 5 and 6. (This will be the fourth Christmas special for the series.)

When a group of orphans are stranded in Hope Valley, the residents come together to create a Christmas to remember. Meanwhile in the wake of Jack’s death, a pregnant Elizabeth prepares to give birth as she teaches her students about the art of gift-giving.

Cast members Krakow, Lori Loughlin, Jack Wagner, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith, and Paul Greene are among those slated to appear in the special.

Elseswhere in the city, a TV series that’s currently the longest locally shot production starts shooting its latest season on Tuesday (July 10).

The dark fantasy series Supernatural, about two brothers who hunt down supernatural beings, begins production on—believe it or not—Season 14 tomorrow and keeps going until March 26 next year.

Despite its return, this will be the second-shortest season in its storied history. This season will feature 20 episodes, down from its usual 22 or 23 episodes. (The shortest season was in 2007-2008 when a writer’s strike reduced the season to 16 episodes.)

Lucky Season 13 ended unluckily with archangel Michael took over control of Dean (Jensen Ackles) so we’ll have to see how that plays out when Season 14 premieres on October 11.

In addition to Ackles and Jared Padelecki (who plays Dean’s brother Sam), the cast includes Katie Cassidy, Genevieve Cortese, Lauren Cohan, Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard, Mark Pellegrino, and Alexander Calvert.

Over in the superhero department, Supergirl will be powering her way back on screen with Season 4, which shoots from July 11 to April 15.

This season will lack the presence of a major character: Mon-El, played by Chris Woods, who was sent back to the future in the Season 3 finale.

However, producers have hinted that he may not be gone for good, as they may find ways to bring him back at some point.

Another change is that Jeremy Jordan has shifted from a series regular to a recurring role as tech whiz Winslow “Winn” Schott, Jr.

Furthermore, Odette Annable as Samantha Arias/Reign also won’t be returning as a series regular.

Moving in the opposite direction is Jesse Rath, who was promoted to series regular in the role of Braniac-5.

The cast includes Melissa Benoist as the titular lead, as well as Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh, David Harewood, and more.

That brings us to another series with a female lead who has special powers—although this case is of a very different kind.

Earlier this year, the future of iZombie was uncertain.

It was one of a few TV series from the CW that hadn’t been confirmed if it had been renewed or cancelled, while others had been. Unfortunately, one of the casualties was the Vancouver-shot cancer comedy-drama Life Sentence, which was cancelled after only one season.

So here’s the good news: yes, iZombie will continue on and will shoot Season 5 from August 7 to January 21.

Rose McIver willreprise her role as a zombified medical examiner who assists Seattle police solve cases by eating the brains of the deceased and being able to see visions from their lives just before they died.

However, here’s the catch (as there’s always a catch): this will be the show’s final season.

McIver confirmed the show coming to an end on social media.

So the fifth season of #iZombie will be our last. I am therefore committed and excited to make it the best one yet! Really proud to be on a show that celebrates the misfits and I pinch myself every day that I get to be a part of the iZombie world with you guys. Thank you ❤️



— Rose McIver (@imrosemciver) May 17, 2018

The cast includes Malcolm Goodwin, Rahul Kohli, Robert Buckley, David Anders, Aly Michalka, Robert Knepper, and more.

Season 5 is expected to premiere sometime in 2019.

Well, got all that? That’s a lot to look forward to catching up on home screens this coming year.

While we wait for those shows to premiere, there’s plenty of other news about what’s shooting in town to cover in the weeks to come. So stay tuned, true believers, until our next instalment for more about Vancouver’s screen scene.