Written by Tom Deehan on Nov 6, 2017. Posted in On Location / Production News

Netflix drama, Alias Grace, filmed on location in an Ontario prison

Netflix’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s celebrated novel, Alias Grace, was filmed on location in Kingston Penitentiary, Ontario. Built in 1835, the site is now open for public viewing after ceasing operation in 2013.

Production for the six-part miniseries began in September 2016, which also filmed on King Street, Kingston and with soundstages used at Revival 629 in Toronto.

Sarah Polley, Executive Producer states: “after almost 20 years of dreaming of bringing Alias Grace to the screen, it is beyond thrilling to see it all come together with such an amazing cast and crew."

Executive Producer, Noreen Halpern adds: “Alias Grace is both a chilling true-life murder mystery and a story about the immigrant experience. I am both delighted and honoured to be a part of this project of such scale and scope, pairing an impeccable literary pedigree with a creative team comprised of the very best talent. And to be the first co-commission between CBC and Netflix is truly icing on the cake.”

Co-produced by Halfire Entertainment and Tangled Productions, Alias Grace tells a fictionalised history of Grace Marks, infamous for her involvement in the real-life murders of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery, for which she was later exonerated. Domestic and international distribution are being handled by CBC and Netflix respectively.

Productions filming in Ontario can access a 35% tax credit upon meeting a required minimum expenditure. The rate can be increased to 40% in the case of first-time producers.

Ontario recently hosted production on another Margaret Atwood adaptation, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, which has gone on to receive both critical and commercial success.