DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — An adventure series with a Northern BC focus is gaining traction with audiences and putting Dawson Creek and the Peace Region in a positive light.
“Finding Nowhere,” an unscripted reality-style series, follows a city man learning to reconnect with the outdoors, with much of that journey taking place in northern British Columbia.
The show centres on a “city boy” looking to ‘rewild’ with the help of his cousin from Prince George, blending humour with outdoor education.
“Finding Nowhere focuses on a city boy who wants to get back to nature and rewild,” said Aaron Mathais.
Mathias describes his role on the show as a “Co-Assistant Producer” and part of a small team that wears multiple hats. He is also a co-owner of Corlane Sporting Goods.
“We’ve got a Vancouver city boy and a Prince George country boy, and there’s a lot of calamity and humour involved,” said Mathias.
Mathias says the tone is intentionally light and accessible which makes it appealing beyond traditional outdoor audiences.
“It’s a light and happy show… it appeals to audiences much larger than just your outdoorsman,” said Mathias.
From Idea to Screen
Mathias credits the concept to three of the show’s creators, Joel and Ryan Primus and Seth Steward.
“I wish I could say that I had something to do with the idea of this, but this was Joel, Ryan and Seth’s idea,” he said.
The premise was born out of a simple idea which takes someone with little outdoor experience and immersing them in wilderness living, learning how to hunt, forage and reconnect with nature.
“They call it rewilding, which is taking this concrete jungle guy and getting him back into the outdoors,” said Mathias.
Highlighting Northern B.C. and Dawson Creek
While the show features locations across northern B.C., Mathias says Dawson Creek plays a prominent role.
“Dawson Creek is highlighted in two episodes of season one and I think five episodes of season two,” he said.
He adds that the production goes beyond scenic backdrops, focusing on the community itself.
That local focus is something the team believes sets the show apart and gives viewers a more authentic look at life in the Peace Region.
Mathias says the region’s wide-open landscapes are also a major draw.
“There’s such a vast wilderness that we get to explore living here that you don’t get in the big cities,” said Mathias.
For Mathias, one of the biggest impacts has been the exposure the show brings to northern communities.
“Finding Nowhere highlights all the amazing things that the region has to offer — specifically the people, the businesses,” he said.
By showcasing both the community and the surrounding wilderness, the series is helping to reshape how audiences see northern B.C.
Growing Audience and Positive Reception
The show has already seen success on streaming platforms.
“We just finished filming season two and we are now streaming on Amazon Prime in Canada and the U.S., and on Roku,” said Mathias.
He says the series has also climbed into top rankings within its categories.
“We actually just hit a milestone… number seven in adventure series streaming on Amazon Prime and number ten in unscripted series,” he said.
Audience response has been strong, with feedback coming from across North America.
“We get emails daily from people thanking us for having a raw, real, unscripted adventure series that shows the highs and the lows,” said Mathias.
Unlike many outdoor programs, he says “Finding Nowhere” doesn’t shy away from setbacks.
“You see failures, there’s a lot of highs and a lot of lows,” he said.
As the show continues to grow in popularity, producers say they hope that attention will translate into more interest in and appreciation for places like Dawson Creek and the wider Peace Region.