Vancouver Screen Scene: From The Deep to Wanda Sykes and Joel Kinnaman

Nothing is what it seems in Hollywood—and that’s also this week’s theme in our roundup of what’s shooting here in Hollywood North.

With shows about insane asylums, con artists, downloadable humans, and mysterious mermaids, there’s a lot of imaginative action going down in town.

First up, the TV pilot for the dark-comedy World’s End, about an asylum that operates like a family, starts shooting today (August 29). It’s only here until September 7.

Who is—and isn’t—sane in the asylum is up for debate.

Hamish Linklater (The Big Short) stars as an English teacher who is committed to the asylum as insane.

After a character played by comedian Wanda Sykes helps him feel sane again, he leads an inmate revolt.

Dark comedies seem to be popular these days as another one, My So-Called Wife, kicks into production mode for Season 1 today (August 29).

It stars Inbar Lavi as a woman who cons men and women to fall in love with and marry her—just long enough for her to take their money and run.

But time is running out for her as two of her past victims are chasing after her, just as she’s about to strike again.

As we previously mentioned, the live-action manga-adaptation Death Note ends its shoot on Tuesday (August 30), taking its star Nat Wolff with them unfortunately.

Also ending on the same day is Season 1 of the TV series Dirk Gently, starring Samuel Barnett and Elijah Wood.

Elsewhere in the city, HGTV’s documentary TV series My Floating Home wraps up on Wednesday (August 31). The series takes a look at the design of aquatic homes that float on the water—and the families that live in them.

Coming up soon, the cyberpunk sci-fi series Altered Carbonstarts shooting Season 1 on September 28, continuing until June 20, 2017. It’s an adaptation of Richard Morgan’s 2002 book of the same name.

Set in the 25th century, the human mind has become digitized and transferrable from one body to another, making death almost obsolete.

Former interstellar warrior Takeshi Kovacs, played by Joel Kinnaman (Suicide Squad), has been imprisoned for 500 years but if he can solve a murder, he will get a chance at a new life on Earth.

A few days after that one starts, The Deep starts shooting its TV pilot on Tuesday (September 30), continuing until October 21.

It’s about mermaids—but don’t expect aquatic sweetness and light in this thriller drama.

Set in the coastal town of Bristol Cove, the townspeople have long lived with legends of mermaids having once made the area their home.

But things change when a mysterious, lost girl appears in town, played by Eline Powell (Game of Thrones).

She becomes increasingly exhausted and weak—and she’s soon revealed to be a mermaid.

Soon, an all-out battle between mermaids and humans arises over the right to the ocean.

Rena Owen (The Last Witch Hunter) also stars as an antique shop owner who doesn’t believe in the mermaid myths but has a connection to the girl.

Well, at least you don’t have to worry about being attacked by vicious mermaids or downloadable humans in Vancouver, but you’ll be lucky if you can catch sight of them as they’re busy working. Good luck on your star-spotting and be sure to check back next week for more in store after the Labour Day long weekend.