Viewers are raving about Michael Hirst's new western series, "Billy the Kid," following the premiere of its second season. Inspired by the life of America's most infamous outlaw, Henry McCarty, fans love its historical accuracy and attention to detail. Anyone who enjoys the old westerns and gunslinger flicks of the mid-1900s will certainly appreciate the show's incredible sets and action-packed episodes.
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"Billy the Kid" premiered on MGM+ (formerly Epix) in April 2022 and features British actor Tom Blyth as the lead. You may recognize Blyth from previews of the upcoming film "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes," in which he plays a young President Coriolanus Snow. The up-and-coming star's portrayal of Billy the Kid is spot on, as he brings the notorious gunfighter to life.
In Season 1, viewers are introduced to Billy the Kid's Irish Catholic roots and his early days as a cowboy in the American frontier. True to life, the show depicts how he became orphaned at a young age, forcing him into a life of crime to get by. His choices ultimately land him in New Mexico, where he gains notoriety for his role in the Lincoln County War.
So, if you're wondering where to find the incredible views seen in the background of the show, you've come to the right place! Let's dive into all of the filming locations for the MGM+ series "Billy the Kid."
Who was Billy the Kid?
Image via MGM+
Billy the Kid was born in New York City in 1859 as Henry McCarty and later used the alias, William H. Bonney. When his father died, he moved to Indianapolis with his mother, Catherine, and younger brother, Joseph. While there, Catherine met William Henry Harrison Antrim, whom she later married in New Mexico. Antrim abandoned the two boys after Catherine died of tuberculosis in 1874.
While Henry arranged to stay in a boarding house in exchange for work, he got arrested just a year later for stealing food and then again for robbing an old-fashioned laundromat of clothes and two guns. He ended up escaping from jail, making him a fugitive at 15 years old. From there, he went to Arizona and worked as a rancher, where he became known as "Kid Antrim." However, his crimes only worsened, and he eventually became a fugitive in Arizona.
Where Was 'Billy the Kid' Filmed?
Image via MGM+
Since Billy rose to fame in New Mexico and Arizona, producers originally planned to film the show in New Mexico. However, things didn't go according to plan. The show's executive producer, Donald De Line, told Yahoo! that the area simply couldn't handle the production.
"There are variables with productions that come into play. We looked at New Mexico, and there was no room for the production. We also had to deal with filming during a pandemic."
Fortunately, this issue didn't affect filming. They filmed the first two seasons of "Billy the Kid" in one of the most picturesque areas of the world: the Canadian Province of Alberta.
Kananaskis Country, Alberta
Image via MGM+
In order to replicate 1800s New Mexico, the show's creators decided to film most of the series in Alberta, as it offers a natural backdrop that most people associate with Westerns. One of the most recognizable filming locations used in the show is Kananaskis Country. Located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, this 1,544 square-mile park system offers "Billy the Kid" a picturesque backdrop.
Kananaskis Country offers scenic natural landscapes that add to the show's appeal. Picture mountain ranges and rolling foothills in the distance while traveling the open areas surrounded by stunning aspen, pine and spruce trees. Just 12 miles east of Banff, it's a popular area for tourists, offering plenty of areas for hiking, fishing, canoeing, skiing, and more. It's also a popular spot for filming, and you may recognize the background from movies like "Inception," "The Revenant," and "Brokeback Mountain."
Calgary, Alberta
Image via MGM+
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and is home to the "Billy the Kid" cast and crew during filming. About an hour's drive from Kananaskis Country, it's considered a transitional area between the Rocky Mountain Foothills and the Canadian Prairies. Largely made up of plains and grasslands, the Canadian Prairies offer the ideal backdrop for a Western series as it most accurately depicts the American Frontier.
Filming near a big city also has its perks for the cast and crew, as it ensures they aren't too isolated while they work. Even actors deserve a break every now and then! Canadian actor Dakota Daulby, who plays John Beck, shared on Instagram back in 2021 that the cast got to squeeze some fun into their hectic filming schedule. He captioned his photo with:
"What a gang to go to paintball war with! The friendships built and anarchy that has been had in between action and cut has been an incredible gift!"
How did Tom Blyth prepare for his role as Billy the Kid?
Image via MGM+
Twenty-eight-year-old British actor Tom Blyth certainly did his homework for the role of Billy the Kid. Not only did he find out that people found Henry charismatic and enjoyed his company, but he also found that he had some things in common with the outlaw.
When talking to Yahoo!, Blyth shared that he also lost his father at a young age and could relate to Henry's grief. He also admitted to having a "weird fascination" with Billy the Kid, saying:
"Michael Hirst wrote an incredible script. [Michael and I] have a similar, weird fascination with Billy the Kid. We both grew up in Yorkshire, England. The stories of traveling West and trying to find a better life is something that I really latch onto. Being able to stake that little bit of paradise."
In addition to researching Henry's background, Blyth also traveled to New Mexico so he could walk in his shoes. The actor visited Lincoln, Silver City, and Fort Sumner, where he learned the locals still admire Billy the Kid and were willing to share their stories about him.
Who else appears in 'Billy the Kid'?
Image via MGM+
Despite the cowboy getups, there are still plenty of familiar faces in "Billy the Kid." Australian actor Daniel Webber plays Jesse Evans, another famous outlaw, and leader of the Jesse Evans Gang. His gang ultimately went up against Billy the Kid and his cronies in 1877 during an event that became known as the Lincoln County War.
Some other recognizable actors include Ryan Kennedy, best known for playing Jake Harrow on "Hellcats," the previously mentioned Dakota Daulby, who appears on "Mayans M.C.", and Shaun Benson from "The Boys" and "Tiny Pretty Things." Fans of "The Witcher" may also recognize British actor Joey Batey, who plays the bard Jaskier in the Netflix series.
Where can I watch 'Billy the Kid'?
Image via MGM+
If you're a new fan or have yet to start the show, you can watch "Billy the Kid" Season 1 on the MGM+ website or app for free. The first eight episodes are also free to watch on Prime Video, even for those who don't subscribe to Amazon Prime.
New episodes in Season 2, which premiered on October 15, can also be streamed on either Prime Video or MGM+ on Sundays but requires a subscription. However, only the first four episodes are complete. The rest of the season's episodes will be released after the SAG strike ends and production can resume. Likely, this will occur at the end of 2023 or the start of next year.
