BACK ON TRACK

AS SNOW PIERCER PREPARES TO RETURN FOR ITS SECOND SEASON, SFX HAS A SNOOP AROUND THE VANCOUVER SET. WELL, VIRTUALLY…

- ADAM TANSWELL

ALISON WRIGHT IS standing in the middle of a silent soundstage in Vancouver. The English actress, who plays Ruth in Snowpiercer – one of the crew of a miles-long train that’s been circling the globe since an icy apocalypse befell the Earth – is masked up and holding an iPad on the end of a selfie stick. Behind her, a couple of similarly masked crew members go about their work, and we catch a glimpse of a number of plush train interiors. “Welcome to the set of Snowpiercer,” Alison beams. “We’re so sorry we couldn’t have you here in person, but welcome to our virtual set visit for season two.”

Set visits transformed in the year 2020. In the past, SFX would have been invited to nose around the set in person after signing our life away with a number of embargoes. That can’t happen in the midst of a pandemic. So today, we’re sitting in front of our laptop at home watching Alison take us on a virtual tour via Zoom. Thankfully, it’s almost as eye-opening and thrilling as being there in the flesh. Almost.

Snowpiercer is filmed at Martini Studios in Langley City, which is on the outskirts of Vancouver. “We’ve taken over four very big soundstages here,” explains Alison as she wanders around a very recognisable set. “We’re currently on Stage Six. This includes the sets of the hospitality department, which includes the Radio Room. This is where Ruth works, loves and lives.”