What's Happening?
Jacquie Gould served as a director for the initial two episodes of the series 'Crew Girl,' a production by Great Pacific Media. The series, which premiered on Netflix on September 14, 2026, was primarily filmed on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, between
September 8 and November 21, 2025. Simon Barry also directed episodes, and Brad Creasser was the cinematographer. The show is set in a fictional coastal New England town called Eagle's Cove, with the elite prep school, Easton Prep, depicted by Hatley Castle on the Royal Roads University campus. The production involved extensive on-water filming, with cast members spending eight to ten hours daily on the water. Specialized equipment, including a large barge, was constructed to facilitate filming the rowing sequences, which are noted as the first eight-person crew footage shot by a Canadian production.
Why It's Important?
The production of 'Crew Girl' highlights the growing trend of U.S.-targeted content being filmed in Canada, leveraging its diverse landscapes and established film infrastructure. This practice provides significant economic benefits to Canadian regions like Vancouver Island, including job creation for local crews, talent, and support services, as well as boosting local tourism through location features. For U.S. audiences, it offers high-quality productions with visually appealing backdrops, often indistinguishable from their intended U.S. settings. The use of historical sites like Hatley Castle, a National Historic Site of Canada, showcases how such locations can be repurposed for modern storytelling, contributing to their preservation and public awareness. The innovative filming techniques for the rowing scenes also push the boundaries of sports cinematography, potentially influencing future productions in the genre.
What's Next?
Following its premiere, 'Crew Girl' will likely be evaluated based on its viewership and critical reception on Netflix, which could influence decisions regarding future seasons or similar productions. The success of this series could further solidify Vancouver Island's reputation as a prime filming location for international projects, potentially attracting more U.S. and global productions. The innovative methods used for filming the rowing sequences might also set new standards or inspire other filmmakers to develop specialized equipment for challenging on-water or sports-related shoots. Additionally, the exposure of Hatley Castle through the series could lead to increased visitor interest, benefiting local tourism and the Royal Roads University campus.
Beyond the Headlines
The production of 'Crew Girl' underscores the intricate relationship between the U.S. entertainment industry and Canadian production capabilities. While the series is set in a quintessential 'old-money New England' environment, its complete reliance on Canadian locations for filming illustrates the globalized nature of modern media production. This cross-border collaboration raises questions about national identity in storytelling, as Canadian landscapes and historical sites are transformed to represent U.S. settings. It also highlights the economic incentives and logistical advantages that draw productions away from their narrative settings, impacting local economies and cultural industries in both countries. The series' focus on an elite prep school and competitive rowing also touches upon themes of social class, ambition, and the challenges faced by transfer students in exclusive environments, resonating with broader societal discussions on privilege and belonging.
