HBO’s ‘Raised by Wolves’ is the Most Expensive Show Filmed in South Africa

2020 massive sci-fi hit, ‘Raised by Wolves’ has received rave reviews.

The HBO Max show, produced by multiple Oscar nominee Ridley Scott, has been a hit with both fans and critics.

South Africans will now be able to enjoy it legally, albeit a few months later than Americans. This follows its arrival on Showmax.

The epic Sci-fi follows two androids tasked with raising children in a new planet after earth is torn apart in a religious war.

Raised by Wolves stars Danish actress Amanda Collin.

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Apart from producing, Ridley Scott directed the first two episodes of the first season. He came with a decorated resume, including director and producer roles in huge science fiction films like: The Martian, Alien, Blade Runner, Prometheus etc.

The show has been nominated for several awards, including in the Critics Choice Awards 2021 – Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Series, Best Actor: Sci-Fi for Travis Fimmel (Vikings’ Ragnar) and Best Actress: Sci-Fi for Danish actress Amanda Collin.

What many do not know about the show is that it was wholly filmed right here in South Africa.

The sci-fi was filmed by Film Afrika studios in Cape Town as well as locations in the Western Cape area.

The studio played host to many indoor shots including the ark interior, while the mountanious Western Cape provided the backdrop for the outdoor scenes. Other locations included The Good Hope Centre and the old Maitland abattoir.

Speaking to Forbes last year, Scott said,

“He, the line producer and I all went off location scouting. We had to shoot in South Africa because it made sense for the deal we had. We found a range of mountains that were in your face for about a kilometer, and every morning this tablecloth of cloud would come in, it would just roll over them, and I went. ‘Oh my God!’ It was surreal, it was otherworldly, so half the work was done, just by the location.”

“What I loved in the (South African) desert were the trees, which were something in the aloe/cactus family.

“I said, ‘I have to have those trees.’ We got permission to transplant some onto a piece of terrain less than a kilometre from the foot of this beautiful mountain range.”

Season 1 Trailer

According to Film Afrika line producer Cheryl Eatock, Raised by Wolves is the biggest budget show ever filmed in South Africa.

The production created 700 full-time equivalent jobs, as well as many other small jobs. A total of 1200 businesses were hired to provide services.

Raised by Wolves will be returning for season 2, and according to showrunner Aaron Guzikowski, the series will run for 5 or 6 seasons as HBO tries to find a replacement for its massively popular Game of Thrones.