Netflix is expanding its period drama slate with The Granville Girls, an upcoming eight episode romantic series set against the sweeping backdrop of the Canadian Rockies during the railway boom.
TL;DR
The Granville Girls, a new eight episode Netflix romantic period drama based on Cat Cahill’s book series, begins filming in June 2026 in the Canadian Rockies. A 2027 or 2028 release is the most likely window.
Created and showrun by Adriana Maggs, the series adapts Cat Cahill’s The Gilbert Girls novels for the screen. Filming is scheduled to begin in June 2026, with production relocating the story’s setting from Colorado in the books to Canada’s dramatic mountain landscapes.
Here is a full breakdown of what we know so far.
The Story Behind The Granville Girls
The Granville Girls centers on Emma Daniels, a young woman who secures a coveted position at the luxurious Granville Hotel during a time of rapid railway expansion through the Canadian Rockies.
Emma becomes one of the so called Granville Girls, a select group of women employed by the prestigious hotel. The job promises independence, financial stability for her family, and the excitement of frontier life. However, it comes with a rigid rule that shapes the emotional tension of the series. Female staff are forbidden from forming relationships with male guests or employees.
When Emma finds herself drawn to the hotel’s enigmatic builder, she is forced to choose between security and love. The romance unfolds within a world defined by ambition, industrial growth, and strict social expectations.
The series aims to blend sweeping historical drama with character driven romance, positioning it alongside Netflix’s popular period offerings.
The Creative Team
The show is led by Adriana Maggs, whose previous credits include work on Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Frontier. Her experience in both procedural and historical storytelling suggests a grounded yet emotionally layered approach.
Executive production comes from Christina Jennings of Shaftesbury, the company behind long running hit Murdoch Mysteries and the thriller series Departure.
With an established production company and experienced creative leadership, the project enters filming with strong industry credentials.
Filming Location and Production Timeline
Although Cat Cahill’s original novels are set in Colorado, the television adaptation will film in the Canadian Rockies. The region offers expansive natural landscapes that reflect the grandeur of railway expansion and frontier development central to the story.
Principal photography is set to begin in June 2026. Casting announcements have not yet been revealed, and no principal actors have been attached publicly at this stage.
Because filming will not begin until mid 2026, a release in 2027 is the earliest realistic premiere window. Depending on production scale, post production timelines, and Netflix’s programming strategy, a 2028 debut also remains possible.
Netflix has not announced an official release date.
What This Means for Netflix’s Period Drama Slate
Romantic historical dramas continue to perform strongly on streaming platforms, particularly those that combine scenic production design with relationship driven storytelling.
The Granville Girls appears positioned to tap into that audience. The setting during the railway expansion offers high stakes economic and social transformation, while the central forbidden romance provides accessible emotional conflict.
If the adaptation remains faithful to the spirit of Cat Cahill’s novels while adjusting for television pacing, it could become a multi season contender.
For now, the project remains in early production stages, with more updates expected once casting is announced and filming begins this summer.
We will continue to update as new details emerge.
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