Abhiroop Das
Marking Rob Lowe’s directorial debut, ‘The Bad Seed‘ is a thrilling television movie that follows the Grossman family’s internal conflicts, centering on the character of Emma Grossman, a nine-year-old child who comes under suspicion after the mysterious death of one of her classmates. Meanwhile, her father, David Grossman, juggles his family life with his personal desires, only to find himself embroiled in a larger network of crimes and violence, all tracing back to Emma. Her other supervisors, namely her teacher, Mrs. Ellis, and nanny, Chloe, try their own methods to create a bond, only to find no success, as they fail to capture the depths of the child’s mind, an exploration of which becomes the film’s driving force.
Where Was The Bad Seed Filmed?
‘The Bad Seed’ was shot in its entirety in British Columbia, specifically covering western Vancouver and its surrounding regions. The production also extended to the township of Langley, where the majority of the interior scenes were captured. The film, which is an adaptation of the original 1956 horror drama of the same name, had seen its fair share of production issues until it was greenlit by Lifetime in late 2017, with the main cast joining in by February 2018. Production began a month later, in March 2018, and reportedly ran for 25 days, wrapping up by March 30th.
Metro Vancouver, British Columbia
Significant portions of the movie were lensed in and around Vancouver. Notably, Cecil Green Park House, situated at 6251 Cecil Green Park Road on the campus of the University of British Columbia, stood out as a major filming location. The property overlooks the Georgia Strait and offers a panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Howe Sound, a popular UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Primarily serving as a wedding and events venue, this Tudor-style mansion added a historical charm and aesthetic to the narrative. Besides ‘The Bad Seed,’ it has hosted a number of celebrated movies such as ‘Fifty Shades Freed,’ ‘Good Luck Chuck,’ as well as shows such as ‘Riverdale,’ ‘The Flash,’ and ‘The Twilight Zone.’
The crew also set up shop further west, in the small village of Horseshoe Bay, where many of the pivotal scenes were captured. Formerly known as Whytecliff, the region is famous for its iconic pier, which serves as a ferry terminal to explore the surrounding fjords and inlets of Howe Sound. As such, the sequences captured here added a picturesque quality to an otherwise dark and grim narrative. The village has also been the filming location for titles such as ‘Nancy Drew,’ ‘Bates-Motel,’ and ‘Dead Boy Detectives.’
Langley, British Columbia
Alongside Vancouver, the crew also set up shop at Fort Langley, a quaint village known for its vintage galleries, cafes, and iconic golf courses. Here, the gated luxury property situated at 22934 76A Avenue doubled as the residence of the characters David and Emma Grossman. Designed in 2016 by the award-winning team at Su Casa Design, the four-bedroom house contributed significantly to the narrative, being the center of many set pieces and moments of dramatic catharsis. The house’s full size and cope are fully utilized, ultimately leading to the creation of a new character, Brian, who serves as the caretaker of the lake-facing house.
The Bad Seed Cast Details
Given that ‘The Bad Seed’ is a close-knit psychological horror story, special importance was placed on the nuances of individual performances and larger character dynamics. Luckily, the movie features a stellar cast with a total of nineteen credited members, spearheaded by Rob Lowe, Mckenna Grace, Sarah Dugdale and Marci T. House. All ofthem gave their all to bring the picture to life, to accurately potray the slow, creeping horror of a child’s descent into darkness, and their guardian’s helplessness in stopping it.
Rob Lowe as David Grossman
‘The Bad Seed’ marks the directorial debut of Robert Hepler Lowe, who also stars as David Grossman, the father of Emma, who he suspects to have played a role in a tragic incident. He was reportedly cast in the role in 2018, prior to which he had already established himself as a well-known and reputed actor, producer, and entertainment host. He started out as a member of the iconic Brat Pack, a group of teen actors who collaborated frequently, which led to his successful roles in films such as 1983’s ‘The Outsider,’ ‘Class,’ and 1985’s ‘St Elmo’s Fire.’
His breakthrough television performance was as Sam Seaborn in the NBC drama ‘The West Wing,’ which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2001. Apart from this, he has also served as the host for several entertain and game shows, such as ‘Mental Samurai,’ Netflix’s ‘Attack of the Hollywood Cliches!’ and ‘The Friday Night Project.’
Mckenna Grace as Emma Grossman
Popular actress and singer McKenna Grace essays the role of Emma Grossman, whose psychological exploration is at the heart of the movie. Born on June 25, 2006, Grace became a professional child actor at the age of five, starring in the Disney XD sitcom, ‘Crash & Bernstein.’ Her breakthrough role came as a child prodigy in 2017’s ‘Gifted,’ a trend that continued with arguably her most iconic performance, as Paige Swanson in the hit CBS sitcom ‘Young Sheldon.’ Besides these, she has also been a part of Netflix’s ‘Haunting of the Hill House,’ ‘Annabelle Comes Home’ and ‘Troop Zero, ‘ as well as shows like ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ Grace’s music career began in 2020 with the release of her debut single “Haunted House,” and she has since released several hit singles and extended plays.
Sarah Dugdale as Chloe
Alongside Lowe and Grace, popular actor Sarah Dugdale also plays a major role in the film as Chloe, Emma’s nanny. The character lurks firmly in the grey and is subject to some of the narrative’s most complicated sequences, making good use of Dugdale’s expert ability. She is known for portraying the character of Lizzie in the romantic drama series ‘Virgin River.’ Furthermore, she has starred in a host of horror films, such as 2019’s ‘Death of a Cheerleader’ and 2021’s There’s Someone Inside Your House,’ as well as the TV Movie series ‘Mystery 101.’ Dudale has also had minor appearances in popular TV shows such as ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Arrow,’ and ‘Ice,’ showcasing her versatility and dedication to the craft.
The Lifetime production’s list of actors doesn’t end there, with many talented names joining in to play supporting roles. Stage and film actor Marci T. House plays the role of Mrs. Ellis, Emma’s teacher. She is joined by Patty McCormack and Cara Buono, both of whom play the roles of a psychiatrist, as Dr March and Angela Grossman, respectively. McCormack’s involvement in the film is particularly of note, as she played the role of the daughter in the original 1958 ‘The Bad Seed,’ a performance that eventually earned her an Oscar nomination. Besides these names, actors Lorne Cardinal and Chris Shields essay the roles of Caretaker Brian and Sheriff Peterson, respectively.
In the narrative, the Curtis family plays a notable role, with child actor Luke Roessler playing the role of Milo Curtis, Emma’s classmate. He is joined by Shauna Johannesen and Robert Egger, who play the role of his mother and father, respectively. Nevis Unipan, Anna Dickey, and Juliet Hindle also play the role of students in Emma’s school, bringing a touch of realism. Carly Bentall has a minor role in the film, playing Emma’s deceased mother, Mrs. Grossman, with experienced actor John Emmet Tracy essaying the character of Mark Wiggins. Reportedly, the film has three uncredited cast members, namely Tunde Pellicola, Elma Mlinar, and Darrell Duane, who play the roles of a guest, a singing student, and a stuffed seal, respectively.
Read More: Is Lifetime’s The Bad Seed Based on a True Story?
