‘Thrilled’: Saskatchewan TV production back for a second season

Vehicles slowed down as drivers tried to get a look at the TV set outside a house in the Douglas Park neighbourhood in Regina – a sight that’s been less and less common in the last decade but is starting to come back.

Dozens of people were flitting around the set, rearranging bushes, watching monitors, and moving equipment. They’re working on shooting for the second season of “Zarqa,” the series created by Zarqa Nawaz.

The first season of the show did very well on streaming and Nawaz said CBC was happy to give the go-ahead for a second.

“We were so thrilled to get that green light and it was another opportunity to showcase the actors and the crew and Saskatchewan, again, to the world (and) to Canada,” said Nawaz.

This isn’t her first time bringing Saskatchewan to the small screen; she was also a creator of “Little Mosque on the Prairie,” another CBC show which did well and in out of the country.

However, after the provincial government cut the film tax credit in 2012, the majority of film production left the province and Zarqa said she didn’t think she’d ever be able to work in Saskatchewan again. But the province recently introduced a film and TV production grant, upping the total amount available to $12 million.

“Now the government is supporting production and we’re able to re-grow our crews and train new people,” said Nawaz.

She said the training is the most exciting thing about the production.

“It feels really great to be part of a production that’s bringing the film and television industry back to Saskatchewan and training young people and creating a vibrant, dynamic economy,” she said.

Last month, the provincial and federal governments came together to put money in place specifically for training in the film industry.

About 130 people are being employed on this production and most of them are from Saskatchewan.

Candy Fox was a director for the first season of the series and is returning to direct two episodes of Season 2. She said she was very excited when she got the call.

“It’s always great to be working within Saskatchewan. Having production in my home city as well is always great. It’s exciting. It’s good to work with people that I’ve established relationships with, who come from my home community or come from Saskatchewan. It’s great just to have work here and to see it and to see a thriving production happen in my city,” said Fox.

Fox agreed that training on set is an important part of any production, especially in Saskatchewan, and the recent money from the government to help that happen is a good thing.

“You’re seeing productions like ‘Zarqa’ being able to come to fruition,” Fox said. “I’m hoping that it continues to grow; of course we want to see more productions here. And the more support we have, the better.”

With the province’s grant program, Creative Saskatchewan is investing about $299,000 into the show and Erin Dean, CEO of Creative Saskatchewan, expects it to result in $1.4 million in economic output in Saskatchewan.

Dean said the production wouldn’t have happened in Saskatchewan without the grant. She couldn’t say how much film production had been happening in the province after the tax credit was scrapped more than 10 years ago, but did say it’s important to note how much things have changed in that time.

“With streaming, there’s so much more content being made so we’re really thrilled that Saskatchewan’s back in the game and we’re able to bring productions like this to the province,” said Dean.

As for “Zarqa,” Nawaz thinks the show will be out for audiences to see around December.

“I think this season (of “Zarqa”) is going to be even more fun and my character will have more antics and will create chaos in everybody’s lives yet again,” said Nawaz.