Before Schitt’s Creek executive producer Andrew Barnsley became one of Canada’s most celebrated TV producers, he remembers a piece of advice from his grandmother: create something lasting for Newfoundland and Labrador, his family’s home province on Canada’s rugged east coast.

Now, Barnsley is putting that vision into motion. His company Latitude 47, launched with Son of a Critch producer Brandon Davis, has unveiled plans for a $50 million, 75,000-square-foot film and television studio complex near St. John’s, the provincial capital and one of North America’s oldest cities. The project marks the largest private infrastructure investment in the region’s entertainment industry to date.

“For me, there’s a real personal connection to this,” Barnsley tells The Telegram. “I’m committed to supporting the growth of creative industries in Newfoundland and Labrador. If we can be a part of that, that’s all I can wish for.”

From Scenic Backdrop to Global Player

Perched on the Atlantic Ocean and famed for its colorful row houses, rocky coastlines, and distinct culture, Newfoundland has long lured international productions seeking dramatic scenery. Apple TV+’s Severance and a recent Netflix feature starring Josh Hartnett both filmed there, adding momentum to a local industry that already generates roughly $100 million in annual production activity.

What the province has lacked is a modern soundstage. Latitude 47’s facility, to be built on a 30-acre site in Bauline about 20 minutes from downtown St. John’s, aims to fill that gap. Phase one will include two 20,000-square-foot stages, a 10,000-square-foot stage, and support space, with another 50,000 square feet of offices and infrastructure to follow. Barnsley estimates construction will begin within 12 to 18 months, with doors opening in about three years.

Validation for Local Industry

The announcement has been embraced by local industry leaders. Laura Churchill, CEO of PictureNL, said the project validates years of work to build Newfoundland and Labrador into a serious production hub.

“After all the hard work from crews, storytellers, and directors, we’ve primed the pump for something like this to happen,” Churchill said. “This is private investment recognizing what we’ve built. It feels like the fruits of our labor.”

Currently, most productions in the province shoot during the summer months due to weather. A year-round soundstage, Churchill added, will allow Newfoundland to extend production cycles, develop crew skills on cutting-edge technology, and attract larger projects from streamers and studios.

Scaling Toward Alberta Levels

Barnsley points to Alberta as a model, noting that once the western province invested in infrastructure, it quickly grew into a $250 million-a-year production industry. “That’s probably a realistic goal here within the next decade,” he said. “The more you do, the more experience crews get. They become world-class experts. Once this picks up steam, I think there’s going to be a lot of global attention on the province.”

For Barnsley, who grew up spending summers in Newfoundland, the project is both professional and deeply personal. “It feels like the right team is assembling around this,” he said. “Everything about this just feels right.”