The Tourist is a co-production between BBC One and Stan, produced by Two Brothers Pictures, the team behind the critically-acclaimed drama series The Missing.
The six-part drama is to be produced by Two Brothers Pictures in association with Highview Productions and the South Australian Film Corporation.
The announcement follows Stan’s summer launch of Australia’s biggest ever line-up of originals; including the second season of The Other Guy, The Commons, The Gloaming and True History of the Kelly Gang.
The Tourist is written by Harry and Jack Williams, and is produced by award-winning production company Two Brothers Pictures (Baptiste, The Missing, Fleabag).
In the glowing red heart of the Australian outback, a British man is pursued by a vast tank truck trying to drive him off the road. An epic cat and mouse chase unfolds and the man later wakes in hospital, hurt, but somehow alive. Except he has no idea who he is. With merciless figures from his past pursuing him, The Man’s search for answers propels him through the vast and unforgiving outback.
The Tourist is a character-driven mystery packed thriller, full of shocking, surprising, funny and brutal turns. Set in a world populated by quirky, enigmatic characters, off-beat black comedy punctuates high-stakes action. The six-episode series twists and turns through the dusty outback of South Australia, to the frantic noise and lights of Singapore, and to the calm, luxury white-sand beaches of Bali.
At its heart however, is a story of self-discovery with a ticking timebomb underneath: as The Man starts to uncover the mystery of who he was, he’s also forced to ask who he is now – and fast. Will he unlock the secrets of his identify before those who are trying to kill him catch up with him?
Existential questions sit alongside breathless storytelling, in a very real and very human story that everyone can relate to, played out across the almost mythic, landscape of the outback, a modern-day Wild West.
Harry and Jack William, Writers and Managing Directors of Two Brothers Pictures said:
“The Tourist is a departure from anything we’ve written before. It isn’t an easy show to categorise – so we won’t. We are, however, hugely excited to have Chris Sweeney on board as director, and to be making this for the BBC. We’re thankful for their support of this ambitious project.”
Nick Forward, Stan’s Chief Content Officer said:
“The Tourist is such a unique story and we’re delighted to be partnering with BBC1, Two Brothers Pictures and the SAFC on this project. We’re looking forward to getting into production, showcasing South Australia’s iconic outback and talented crews, and can’t wait to bring this thrilling six-part original series to Stan.”
Piers Wenger, Controller if BBC Drama, said:
“The Tourist has one of the boldest and most brain-twistingly brilliant conceits which thriller fans will have experienced in a long time. We are delighted to be home to this inspired and utterly original idea and can’t wait to see how Jack, Harry and the exciting team at Two Brothers will bring it to life.”
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said
“The Tourist is the biggest budget television series ever to shoot in South Australia, with a significant regional shoot, will inject millions into the SA regional economy. The South Australian screen sector continues to grow in stature and capacity, with the state proving itself a major production destination.”
CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation Kate Croser said:
“It is fantastic to see acclaimed South Australian producer Lisa Scott partner with the Emmy-award winning producers of Fleabagalongside Stan to bring this new series to SA.
Filming will begin later this year and casting will be announced in due course.
The Tourist is a Two Brothers Pictures (an all3media company) production for the BBC and Stan, in association with Highview Productions, and the South Australian Film Corporation. The 6×60 drama has been written by Harry and Jack Williams who alongside Christopher Aird will serve as executive producers, for Two Brothers Pictures and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC. Lisa Scott will produce and Chris Sweeney (Back To Life, Liar) will direct. International sales will be handled by all3media international. The series is the first outing for the newly launched South Australian company Highview Productions headed by producer Lisa Scott, whose credits include The Hunting, Pine Gap, Stan’s Wolf Creek, Janet King and Anzac Girls.
