Production on the Netflix Australian drama series THE SURVIVORS has begun on the traditional land of the Muwinina people (Hobart, Tasmania), which will become the largest production filmed within the state.
In addition to principal photography in Tasmania, production and post-production will also take place on the traditional land of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people (Melbourne, Victoria).
Set in a Tasmanian seaside town, The Survivors is a crime-mystery series which explores the impact of unresolved grief. The adaptation of Australian bestselling author Jane Harper’s novel of the same name is led by the award-winning team at Tony Ayres Productions (Fires, Clickbait, Stateless), which is backed by Matchbox Pictures and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Tony Ayres is the showrunner, executive producer and writer. Andrea Denholm, Matt Vitins, Cherie Nowlan and Jane Harper will also serve as executive producers, with Nowlan (La Brea, Clickbait) and Ben C Lucas (Nautilus) directing. Tony Ayres is joined in the writing team by Belinda Chayko (Fires), Christian White (Clickbait), Peter Templeman (Wanted) and Alberto Di Troia (The Spooky Files). The series will be produced by Andy Walker (Deadloch, Rosehaven).
The series is supported by VicScreen through the Victorian Production Fund and the Victorian Digital Screen Rebate, with production support from Screen Tasmania.
The Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Tasmanian Minister for the Arts, says:
“The Tasmanian Government is thrilled to welcome Netflix, Tony Ayres Productions and Matchbox to Tasmania for The Survivors.”
“This proves that the ongoing support of the Screen industry is reaping the benefits as the state is able to host larger, more complex productions.”
“The economic impact of screen production is well established with impacts to construction, hospitality, catering and transport – even outside of the work for the cast and crew.”
“I’d particularly like to thank the production team for their commitment to training emerging talent and partnering with Screen Tasmania in developing the skills of the existing crew base and introducing the next generation of Tasmanian filmmakers.”
CEO of VicScreen, Caroline Pitcher says:
“We’re excited to see filming underway on The Survivors – another brilliant novel by Victorian author, Jane Harper, adapted for the screen by Netflix, TAP and Matchbox.”
“In coming weeks, the production will film at the world’s largest state-of-the-art LED volume stages at Docklands Studios Melbourne”
“Not only is this series a celebration of local talent, it also delivers economic benefits for Victoria, with the production set to create over 200 jobs for Victorians and inject nearly $13.5 million into the state.”
As part of this production, Screen Tasmania, VicScreen and Netflix have committed to support attachments for fifteen emerging Tasmanian and Victorian screen practitioners on the production. This will provide them the opportunity to experience working life on set and further their screen career ambitions with targeted attachments on the production across various departments.
The talented Tasmanians selected for the Screen Tasmania attachment program include local cinematographer and director Bree Sanders (Camera Trainee), filmmaker Jared Hyland (Art Department Attachment), and aspiring location scout Aaron Burt (Location Attachment). The Netflix attachment program features writer Tom Dickinson (Assistant Director Attachment); artist and researcher Dr Merri Randell (Sustainability Attachment), and writer/director Vee Shi (Director’s Attachment).
The series is part of Netflix’s growing local slate of Australian films, shows and documentaries including previously released Boy Swallows Universe, Heartbreak High, Wellmania, True Spirit, Surviving Summer Season 2, Love is in the Air, and ONEFOUR: Against All Odd as well as upcoming releases and projects such as Desert King, Apple Cider Vinegar and Eddie’s Lil’ Homies.
