Returning for a second season, Bay of Fires brings back Marta Dusseldorp in a tale of survival and mystery in Tasmania.
ABC has finally confirmed the highly anticipated return of its acclaimed drama series, Bay of Fires, for a second season.
This announcement comes as a collaboration between ABC, Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania, and VicScreen, all of whom have expressed their excitement over the continuation of this captivating story.
Produced by Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia, the series will see the return of the award-winning actress Marta Dusseldorp in her role as Stella Heikkinen. Stella, a single mother of two, is thrust into the witness protection program and finds herself in Mystery Bay, a secluded town in Tasmania known for its criminal activities. The upcoming season promises to bring Stella a semblance of hope as she finds herself untouched by danger for a while and in a newfound position of influence, dealing with a mix of old and new challenges, many of which are a result of her own doing.
Rachel Okine, ABC’s Head of Scripted, has highlighted the series’ success, noting that Bay of Fires became ABC’s top Australian drama series in 2023, thanks to its intriguing characters, complex narratives, and the breathtaking Tasmanian wilderness setting. Okine expressed her enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts with Dusseldorp and the teams at Archipelago and Fremantle, eagerly anticipating the sharing of the new season with audiences on ABC next year.
“Garnering a legion of fans, in 2023 Bay of Fires was ABC’s number one Australian drama series. Featuring an array of quirky characters, twisty plotlines and the stunning backdrop of the Tasmanian wilderness, we’re thrilled to be partnering once again with Marta and the teams at Archipelago and Fremantle. I can’t wait to share this new season with our audiences next year on ABC.”
From Screen Australia, Grainne Brunsdon, Director of Content, expressed delight in supporting the second season of this widely acclaimed series. Brunsdon praised the exceptional cast and crew and highlighted the captivating north-west Tasmanian landscape, promising even more engaging and humorous story developments in the upcoming season.
Alex Sangston, Executive Manager of Screen Tasmania, emphasized the series’ significance to Tasmania, noting the production’s contribution to showcasing the state’s stunning West Coast globally and its substantial impact on the local economy and community.
Caroline Pitcher, CEO of VicScreen, also expressed pride in supporting the AACTA-nominated series’ return. She pointed out the involvement of over 120 Victorians in the production, both behind and in front of the camera, expressing anticipation for the audience’s reception of the new season.
The writing team for season two includes Andrew Knight, Max Dann, alongside new members Romina Accurso, Josephine Dee Barrett, and Hannah Samuel, promising to bring fresh perspectives to the series’ already rich narrative.
The first season was tough work to get through. The pacing was all over the place, and every actor seemed to think they were performing in a different genre.