Shot in Durham - Netflix's Wayward

The Durham Region Film Commission (Film Durham) was busy in 2025 attracting films and television series including projects from CBS, Amazon, Netflix, Hallmark, and Hulu. Working with our local municipalities Film Durham supported production of the popular TV series such as Reacher, Ginny and Georgia, Star Trek Strange New Worlds, The Way Home, Wayward, The Testament, Sheriff Country, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Boys.

One of these projects Wayward, is the new thriller created by Mae Martin and hit number one on Netflix’s global English TV chart in its first week, with 8.2 million views. This limited series from Netflix, invites viewers into the picture-perfect town of Tall Pines, where everything is not what it seems. Created by Toronto-born comedian Mae Martin (co-showrunner, executive producer, and star) the series explores the insidious underbelly of the “troubled teen industry” and the eternal struggle between one generation and the next.

Embracing the province’s distinct natural landscapes and scenic small towns, the series was set in the fictional town of Tall Pines, Vermont and was shot over 80 days in Ontario. While filming in Durham their locations included Port Perry, Pickering, and the Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax. The 25+ cast features an impressive lineup of Canadian talent, including Sarah Gadon, Sydney Topliffe, Alyvia Alyn Lind, and Brandon Jay McLaren, alongside Academy Award® nominee Toni Collette.

The economic impact was significant with Netflix reporting that this TV series employed over 2400 crew, with more than 650 Canadian vendors, many of them being small- and medium-sized businesses—like local construction companies or VFX artists. Overall, the series contributed more than CAD $50 million in Gross Value Added to the Canadian economy. Wayward is an example of Netflix’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with Canadian businesses and supporting local industries like in Durham Region. Thank you, Netflix!