Broadchurch–inspired series Gracepoint stars David Tennant of timey-wimey Doctor Who fame, reprising his role as the lead detective investigating a boy’s murder in a small seaside town, a murder that becomes a national media feeding frenzy. This time the murder happens in the northern California coastal town of Gracepoint played by four hubs in the greater Victoria area: Oak Bay Village, home to the Gracepoint Journal and most of Gracepoint’s residences, pubs, restaurants and the Crestview Inn where the lead detective stays; Brentwood Bay with its harbour; Island View Beach for the crime scene and Harvey Ridge Lookout set; and Sidney, home to the police station and morgue set.
FOX’s upcoming 10-part Fall series filmed several scenes inside the Gracepoint Police Station set last Friday and continues today, with dozens of local backgrounders as Gracepoint’s finest. Lead detective Emmett Carver (David Tennant) had no outside scenes on Friday but the popular British actor emerged unexpectedly to visit the craft tables in the afternoon sunshine.
Crew did film an exterior scene of a girl entering the Gracepoint Police station to talk to the detectives.
Uniformed police, detective and CSI backgrounders came out for a break between camera setups.
Prop Gracepoint Police vehicles parked out front.
Gracepoint crew closed the seawall in the early evening to film inside the police station set with the camera looking out to the water. Sidney locals and their dogs did not get fussed about the obstructed walkway and most stopped for a bit to ask what was filming and watch the backgrounders stroll back and forth during takes. Apparently, some Victoria residents have not been as welcoming to the film crew, especially around the houses used for the Solano and other families. Perhaps too much of the Gracepoint series has been filmed there. It will be one of the factors to consider if Gracepoint gets a second season — whether to shoot season two in greater Victoria or go elsewhere.
Sidney harbour from seawall.
Gracepoint season one is expected to film in the greater Victoria area until late May.