While “Ordinary Angels” might sound like a heavenly set, its heartwarming story unfolded in a fictional Kentucky town of Harmony Springs, far north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
The heartwarming film starring Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson, follows a struggling hairdresser Sharon, who finds a renewed a sense of purpose after meeting Ed Schmitt, a widower working hard to raise her two daughters.
If you’re curious to learn about the film’s picturesque backdrop and the journey it took to the big screen, then you’re at right place. We’re covering all those amazing places that you’ve seen in the movie.
Where was Ordinary Angels filmed?
Despite the film’s Kentucky setting, “Ordinary Angels” was primarily shot in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, during the spring of 2022.
The city’s diverse architecture, ranging from historic brick buildings to modern structures, offered a versatile backdrop for recreating the look and feel of a small-town American community.
Principal shooting began on 28 March 2022 and wrapped on 7 May 2022 in Manitoba, according to Actra Records.
Gunn also shared on 9th of May 2022 that the shooting was wrapped.
Some additional shooting carried out in Albany, New York, United States in June 2022.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Most of the shooting took place within Winnipeg and its surrounding areas.
The snowstorm was artificially created within the production camp and the crew made use of Winnipeg’s extreme cold weather, which recreated the powerful 1994 North American Cold Wave.
Director Gunn shared some bts photos on Facebook, when the shoot was ongoing in May 2022.
Other scenes of Ordinary Angels were filmed in downtown amidst the mix of modern skyscrapers and historic architecture. If you’re planning to visit the place, you should definitely checkout those places which are free to visit.
Popular attractions in Winnipeg include The Forks National Historic Site at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, the Manitoba Museum, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Assiniboine Park Zoo, and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden.
The city also has a vibrant arts scene, casinos, shopping centers, and a variety of cuisines to enjoy.
Over the past couple of years, the Canadian city has emerged as a shooting capital where many successful TV shows and movies have been filmed, including Ordinary Angels.
Some of the popular productions shot in Winnipeg include X2, Nobody, Champions, Night Hunter, The Italian Job, The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story, Fractured, A Dog’s Purpose, Silent Hill, Capote, Skymed, Run, Incident in a Ghostland, etc.
Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada
The small town of Selkirk, located in north of Winnipeg was chosen to depict 1994 Louisville with its quaint, old-town feel.
Like Louisville, Selkirk sits on the bank of a river – the Red River. Scenes of characters traversing roads and overcoming obstacles were filmed here, showcasing the town’s rural beauty and remoteness.
Selkirk’s proximity to Winnipeg offered logistical advantages while maintaining the desired small-town atmosphere.
Popular Selkirk attractions include Marine Museum of Manitoba focusing on marine history, the Selkirk Waterfront Park along the Red River, and nearby Belair Provincial Forest and Belair National Wildlife Area for nature lovers. The Catfish Creek trailhead offers scenic hiking options.
Albany, New York, United States
The crew traveled to the state’s capital Albany to film establishing shots of the city skyline dotted with historic and modern skyscrapers. Albany’s mix of architecture set the stage for the third act of the film.
While details about these specific locations remain under wraps, we can imagine charming neighborhoods and streetscapes that further enriched the film’s visual storytelling.
Beyond appearing on the big screen, Albany offers attractions like the New York State Museum, Albany Institute of History & Art, the USS Slater naval destroyer museum ship, Albany Pine Bush Preserve hiking trails, and various historic sites and neighborhoods to explore.
Behind The Scenes
The film’s director, Jon Gunn, has spoken about the challenges of recreating a 1994 Kentucky setting in modern-day Canada.
Despite the location shift, the filmmakers worked hard to maintain the film’s authentic Southern charm, from the characters’ accents to the set design.
Ordinary Angels Cast
The main cast of Ordinary Angels include Hilary Swank as Sharon Stevens, Alan Ritchson as Ed Schmitt, and Nancy Travis as Barbara. Other cast members include:
- Tamala Jones as Rose
- Drew Powell as Pastor Dave Stone
- Skywalker Hughes as Ashley Schmitt
- Nancy Sorel as Virginia
- Dempsey Bryk as Derek
- Stephanie Sy as Amy Chan
- Emily Mitchell as Michelle Schmitt
- Erik Athavale as Dr. Ghorbani
- David Lawrence Brown as Bob Green
- Paul Essiembre as Helicopter Pilot
- Ryan Allen as Cousin Marcus
- Gwendolyn Collins as Doctor
- Andrea del Campo as Georgie
- Sharon Bajer as Mid-’90s Woman
- Gabriel Daniels as Gabriel
- Darcy Fehr as Albert Evans
- Jason Wishnowski as Attorney
- Rawleigh Clements-Willis as Young Soldier #2
- Jan Skene as Albert’s Secretary
- Cory Wojcik as Blue Collar Home Owner
- Jeff Strome as Young Solider #1
- Robert Nahum as AA Meeting Leader
- Diana Botelho-Urbanski as Albert’s Daughter
- Cliff Sumter as Homeowner
- Don Mike as Cousin Kelvin
- Ernie Pitts as Ray
- Jean-Jacques as Diner Manager
- Curtis Moore as News Anchor
- DJ Brotherson as Sam
- Rachel McLaren as Secretary #2
- Tristan Carlucci as Young Soldier #3
- Keishon Joseph as Cashier
What is the plot of Ordinary Angels?
“Ordinary Angels” tells the true story of Sharon Stevens, a struggling hairdresser in 1994 Louisville, Kentucky. Despite her talent and dedication, Sharon feels lost and lacks direction in her life. Everything changes when she meets Ed Schmitt, a widower raising two young daughters. Ed’s younger daughter, Michelle, is desperately in need of a liver transplant, and Sharon is deeply moved by their plight.
Driven by a newfound purpose, Sharon decides to help Ed and Michelle. She embarks on a mission to raise awareness, secure funding, and convince medical institutions to prioritize Michelle’s case. Her efforts involve organizing fundraising events, rallying the local community, and even directly advocating for Michelle.
Ordinary Angels is available to watch in select theaters across the United States.
