Watching a TV show being filmed in St. Marys Stratford

  

ST. MARYS – It was certainly no mystery that a CBC drama was being filmed here this week.
But instead of pestering the cast and crew of Murdoch Mysteries while they shot at various locations throughout the town, local residents offered baked goods and accommodations.
“The townspeople actually offered crew rooms in their home,” executive producer Christina Jennings said as filming wrapped up Friday. “There’s a bakery in St. Marys… which is only open on Fridays, and they opened up for us and brought to set these beautiful cinnamon buns, enough for all the crew, all the actors, everybody.
“That was their little gesture for us; it was really quite special.”
Filmmakers shot there about four or five years ago for an episode and “had a really, really terrific experience,” Jennings said. So when they were looking for a location that felt “quite different” than Toronto, the Stone Town was on the shortlist. (All the oldest buildings are made from grey stone quarried in the area. Hence the nickname Stone Town)
“It really has a distinct look,” Jennings said.

 

Cameras began rolling Tuesday and continued for four straight days. Another unique aspect is the town will be referred to by its real name when the season 12 episode airs in December or January.
“We’re calling St. Marys ‘St. Marys’ in our show, which never happens,” she said.
Previous shooting locations such as Dundas, Port Hope or Cobourg have been changed to Toronto in the script. But there’s a reason for the different approach this time – the story centres around Insp. Thomas Brackenreid, who travels to St. Marys looking for someone.
“It’s quite a surprise,” said, Jennings, who also pointed out Murdoch Mysteries is Canada’s top-rated drama.

Nearly all of the extras were local residents.
“The people of St. Marys have been one of the most helpful, friendly, and generous that I’ve run into,” said locations manager Will Hoddinott.
Jennings also credited town officials for their assistance. Certain roads were closed for filming, white parking lines that wouldn’t have been used in the early 20^th century were painted over, and a construction project near the water tower was temporarily taken away.
“These are things that the town did to try and really make that experience for us extremely positive,” Jennings said.

 

Kelly Deeks-Johnson, the town’s economic development manager, said it was a collaborative project.
“They’ve been a great team to work with, flexible, they’ve been really accommodating to the amount of spectators we’ve had watching the filming,” she said.
Hey, guess what? I was one of the Spectators. It was fun. I didn't stay long but everyone was having a very good time. It was like a street party.
Then we went to Tim Horton's for a coffee and donut and we just missed Justin Bieber and his fiancée by a few minutes. It seems like celebrities were all over the place. Actually Justin Bieber lives here and often comes home to visit.

 

 

He's actually a really nice guy when he's home and always talks to anyone who comes up to him.

 

 

 And then guess who I saw crossing the street while I was shopping?

 

 

I lied about this last one....HA!!