In True Detective: Night Country, the eerie town of Ennis is a character of its own, with its chilling atmosphere that hints at something paranormal.
The story of True Detective: Night Country begins on the 17th of December. For Ennis, it’s the last sunset of the year.
The events of the show unfold in the dark, snowy weather. What’s more intriguing is that the show drops hints that the place is used to the paranormal and strange events taking place in the series.
Liz Danvers even claims that this place killed one of the victims of a cold case. Furthermore, the Tsalal men’s case itself reeks of something supernatural.
Also, not to forget that a ghost led Rose Aguineau to the bodies of the Tsalal men.
All these factors beg to question whether a place like Ennis, Alaska, exists in real life and where True Detective: Night Country has been shot.
Is Ennis a real location?
Ennis, Alaska, is a fictional town based on locations such as the northern villages of Kotzebue, Nome, and especially Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow.
Located north of the Arctic Circle, Utqiagvik stands as one of the most northern cities and towns in the world and holds the distinction of being the northernmost in the United States.
Utqiagvik shares some major similarities with Ennis that influence the show’s story and setting. For example, Utqiagvik is also home to the Iñupiat, an indigenous Inuit ethnic group.
Utqiaġvik, much like Ennis, experiences no daylight for 65 days in the winter, which is a setting that the show explores.
However, though True Detective: Night Country takes inspiration from the villages of Alaska, the series has been shot in Iceland.
Moreover, the series strives to establish Ennis as a distinct town rather than relying entirely on the characteristics of other towns. For example, alcohol is banned in Utqiaġvik, but in Ennis, it’s not.
Moving on, True Detective: Night Country hints that Ennis will continue to play a major role in unfolding the mystery that is in Danvers and Navarro’s hands, possibly fusing the supernatural elements that haunt the town.
Also Read: Evangeline Navarro: True Detective: Night Country character explained