Have you ever watched a television show and suddenly thought, “Wait a second… that looks familiar?“ Simcoe Muskoka has quietly become a backdrop for some major television productions. From waterfront cottages and ski hills to skating rinks and museums, familiar Ontario landmarks have filled the backdrop for dramas, reality shows and fan-favourites. Here’s a few you may recognize: Heated Rivalry - Muskoka Lakes, Ont. Fans of Crave’s Heated Rivalry may be surprised to learn that one of the show’s most talked about locations is in Muskoka. The Canadian series follows Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two elite hockey players and fierce rivals whose relationship becomes much more complicated off the ice. In the final episode of the season, the pair head to a secluded cottage that is supposed to be outside Montreal. But that waterfront escape is actually in Muskoka Lakes. Known to fans simply as “The Cottage,” Barlochan Cottage is where Shane and Ilya’s romance reaches a turning point. The location has attracted almost as much attention as the storyline itself. According to Airbnb, the Barlochan, a three-bedroom, three-bathroom lakefront cottage on the west shore of Lake Muskoka, offers 400 feet of private waterfront and large windows, supporting a clear lake view of Walkers Point. Anne of Green Gables - Minesing, Ont. Prince Edward Island may be Anne Shirley’s home, but a little piece of Avonlea can be found in Simcoe County. Destinations Ontario says the Simcoe County Museum in Minesing, located at 1151 Highway 26, was used as a filming location for the TV mini series Anne of Green Gables. Its historic 1900 schoolhouse appeared as the Avonlea Schoolhouse, where Anne and Diana had some memorable adventures. The schoolhouse remains part of the museum today, along with heritage buildings and exhibits. You can visit a little bit of Avonlea without leaving Simcoe County. Finding Her Edge - Orillia, Barrie and Wasaga Beach, Ont. A newer production also found plenty of filming locations around Simcoe County. Netflix’s Finding Her Edge, based on the novel by Jennifer Iacopelli, follows the Russo sisters and their family’s struggling figure-skating dynasty. At the centre of the story is 17-year-old Adriana Russo, who is training for the World Championships with a new partner while still dealing with feelings for her former skating partner and first love. The production team filmed scenes in Orillia, Barrie and Wasaga Beach, giving several Simcoe County communities their turn on screen. The Wasaga Stars Arena, located at 544 River Road West, was a prime filming location for the ice-drama series. Fans will be seeing more of their story. Following its debut in January, Netflix renewed Finding Her Edge for a second season. The Amazing Race Canada - Collingwood and The Blue Mountains, Ont. Anyone watching the Season 11 finale of CTV’s The Amazing Race Canada may have seen some very familiar places. The race came to Collingwood and The Blue Mountains for its big finish, with the final four teams competing in an episode titled “Double Roadblock.” The finale included a franchise-first twist that forced racers to split up as they battled through the final challenges. The town says one of the locations featured was Osler Bluff Ski Club in The Blue Mountains, putting the hills and scenery in the national spotlight. The Collingwood Grain Terminal was another familiar local landmark to appear on screen along with the Valley Ridge Family Farm. Jesse and Jonathon eventually outlasted the competition to win the season in Collingwood’s backyard. Murdoch Mysteries - Port McNicoll, Ont. Murdoch Mysteries also made a stop along Georgian Bay. “Murdoch Ahoy,” the Season 7 opener, was filmed in Port McNicoll aboard the historic SS Keewatin. The Edwardian-era passenger steamship was a backdrop for the long-running drama and gave viewers a glimpse of a piece of local maritime history. At the time, the ship was a familiar landmark on the Port McNicoll waterfront, making its appearance fun for local viewers. Summer House Canada - Muskoka, Ont. Muskoka isn’t finished with the big screen just yet. The American NBCUniversal reality show Summer House is heading north for its first international adaptation and the Canadian version is being filmed in cottage country. Summer House Canada will trade the Hamptons for Muskoka, following a group of friends who leave the city behind to spend their summer weekends together in a shared house. The 10 episode season is now in production and is scheduled to stream on Hayu in 2027. The show is produced by Vancouver’s Lark Productions. Their unscripted TV credits include CTV’s “Farming for Love,” and Slice’s “The Real Housewives of Vancouver.”
