Netflix’ MAID – Canadian Made

Earlier this month Netflix released Maid starring real life daughter and mother Margaret Qualley and Andie McDowell.

But did you know that this production set in Washington actually filmed in Victoria, British Columbia. It now holds the record of the most expensive production in the city, its budget is $10 Million.

The 10 episode series is based on the memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land, the fictionalized version follows the story of a young mother (Qualley) who escapes an abusive relationship and finds a job cleaning houses. The series is a poignant look at poverty in America as the young mother struggles to make ends meet and faces homelessness.

Filming took place between September 2020 and March 2021 employing over 200 crew members during that time. This production shot entirely on location something that is somewhat rare in production. Despite only being released on October 1st production has already begun on season 2 on Vancouver island.

The production filmed at more than 160 locations, including Sidney, North Saanich, Esquimalt, Saanich, Colwood, Oak Bay, and Sooke.

“We didn’t have sets…We were a location shoot. That comes through. Victoria is such a character on the show,” executive producer Molly Smith Metzler said in an interview to the Times Colonist.

“A big story component of the show is talking about the single mom and the lack of resources that she has in trying to provide for her daughter on minimum wage,” Metzler explained in the same interview. “One wonderful thing that we dramatize is this [domestic violence] shelter. There are people who are out there who are looking to help, so the least we could do was give back. It was very inspiring for us to put our money where our mouth is.”

Netflix In Your Neighbourhood

Netflix Canada has launched a new website called Netflix in Your Neighbourhood, which allows users to find the filming locations for various shows by province. Maid has yet to be added to the list, but fans can look through locations used in the To All the Boys series, Restaurants on the Edge, and more.

Maid is now available to stream, only on Netflix.