Scrublands (TV series)
{{Short description|Australian TV series}}
{{Infobox television
| genre = Drama
| based_on = Scrublands (novel) by Chris Hammer
| director = {{Plainlist|
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| country = Australia
| language = English
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 8
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Amanda Duthie
- Michael Healy
- Caliah Scolbie
- Andy Ryan}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Ian Collie
- Rob Gibson}}
| company = {{Plainlist|
Easy Tiger Productions}}
| network = Stan
| first_aired = {{Start date|2023|11|16|df=y}}
| last_aired = present
}}
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{use Australian English|date=October 2024}}
Scrublands is an Australian drama series for Stan, released on 16 November 2023, produced by Easy Tiger and based on the novel written by Chris Hammer. The series follows journalist Martin Scarsden, who is following what he believed to be a simple story on the town on the anniversary of a town tragedy. With nothing as it seems, Martin digs deep to reveal the truth behind what happened. A second season of Scrublands was announced in March 2024. Stan announced the second series would air on 17 April 2025.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2025-03-17 |title=Returning: Scrublands {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/03/returning-scrublands.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}
Plot
A small isolated town is rocked by tragedy after a local priest shoots dead five parishioners. As the community continues to grieve, journalist Martin Scarsden finds himself in town, in what he thinks will be a simple story about the tragedy. However, what unfolds after finding out the truth will push Martin to his limits.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2023-02-27 |title=Scrublands, new drama underway for Stan. {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/02/scrublands-new-drama-underway-for-stan.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}
In season two, Martin returns home with his new partner, but when he finds his best friend dead, with his partner Mandy as the main suspect, he pushes to find the truth of what really happened.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2024-06-05 |title=Filming underway on Scrublands: Silver {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/06/filming-underway-on-scrublands-silver.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}
Cast
=Main=
- Luke Arnold as Martin Scarsden (season 1 & 2)
- Bella Heathcote as Mandy Bond (season 1 & 2)
=Season 1 ''(Scrublands)''=
- Sarah Roberts as Beth Ramachandaran
- Toby Truslove as Doug Monkton
- Jay Ryan as Byron Swift
- Robert Taylor as Harley Regean
- Martin Copping as Craig Landers
- Adam Zwar as Robbie Haws-Jones
=Season 2 ''(Scrublands: Silver)''=
Season two cast were named when the series was renewed on 5 June 2024, with Arnold and Heathcote both reprising their roles from the first series.{{Cite web |last=Slatter |first=Sean |date=2024-06-04 |title=Luke Carroll, Debra Lawrance, David Roberts head west for 'Scrublands: Silver' |url=https://if.com.au/luke-carroll-debra-lawrance-david-roberts-head-west-for-scrublands-silver/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}}
- Debra Lawrance as Denise Speight
- Luke Caroll as Scotty Waaliti / Wesley Patten as Teen Scotty
- Ezra Justin as Teen Martin
- David Roberts as Vern Jones
- Luke Pegler as Nick Poulos
- Joel Jackson as Garth McGrath
- Hamish Michael as Jasper Speight / Griffin Zardo as Teen Jasper
- Damian de Montemas as Tyson St Clair
- Megan Hollier as Keira
- Caroline Brazier as Jennifer 'Jay Jay' Hayes
Episodes
=Season 1 (2023)=
| class="wikitable"
|+ !No. in Series !Title !Directed by !Written by !Air date !Ref !Channel 9 airdate !Viewers !Ref |
| 1
|Episode 1 | rowspan="4" |Greg McLean |Felicity Packard | rowspan="4" |16 November 2023 |18 March 2025 |574,000 |
| 2
|Episode 2 |Kelsey Munro |19 March 2025 |510,000 |
| 3
|Episode 3 |Jock Serong |25 March 2025 |431,000 |
| 4
|Episode 4 |Felicity Packard |26 March 2025 |460,000 |
= Season 2 (Silver) (2025) =
Production
The series is based on the novel written by Chris Hammer. Production of the series was announced on 27 February 2023 as a joint filming commission between Stan and the Nine Network, with filming taking place in Victoria. Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote, and Jay Ryan were cast in the lead roles. Greg McLean directed the series, with Felicity Packard, Kelsey Munro, and Jock Serong as writers.{{Cite web|last=Whittock|first=Jesse|title='Scrublands': Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote & Jay Ryan To Lead Stan And Nine Network Drama Series Based On Chris Hammer Novel|url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/scrublands-luke-arnold-bella-heathcote-jay-ryan-stan-nine-chris-hammer-novel-1235270024/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 26, 2023|access-date=September 7, 2023}}{{Cite web|title=Scrublands filming begins!|url=https://chrishammerauthor.com/scrublands-filming-begins/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 8, 2023|access-date=September 7, 2023}} Season 1 was produced by Easy Tiger.
BBC acquired the rights to air the show in the UK.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2023-09-05 |title=BBC acquires Stan drama, Scrublands. {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/09/bbc-acquires-stan-drama-scrublands.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}} US broadcaster AMC announced in April 2024 that it had acquired the rights for the series.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2024-04-08 |title=Gritty and Gripping Australian Crime Drama, Scrublands, Premieres Thursday, May 2 on Sundance Now and AMC+ |url=https://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/gritty-and-gripping-australian-crime-drama-scrublands-premieres-thursday-may-2-on-sundance-now-and-amc/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |language=en-US}}
In March 2024 a second season was announced.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2024-03-12 |title=Stan unveils bumper Originals slate |website= TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/03/stan-unveils-bumper-originals-slate.html |access-date=2024-03-12 }}{{cite web | title=Scrublands: Silver (2024) | website=Screen Australia | url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/scrublands--silver-2024/42290 | access-date=27 July 2024}} In June 2024, it was announced that filming would be moving from Victoria to Western Australia.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2024-06-05 |title=Filming underway on Scrublands: Silver {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/06/filming-underway-on-scrublands-silver.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=2024-06-05 |title='Scrublands,' Australian Hit Series Starring Bella Heathcote and Luke Arnold, Renewed for Second Season |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/scrublands-second-season-bella-heathcote-luke-arnold-1236025754/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Release
Season 1 of the series was released on Stan on 16 November 2023,{{cite web | title=Scrublands | website=Australian Television Information Archive | date=30 October 1998 | url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/scrublands/index.html | access-date=27 July 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2023-10-04 |title=Airdate: Scrublands {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/10/airdate-scrublands.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}} and was aired on BBC Four in the UK in the same month,{{Cite web|title=BBC acquires new Australian crime thriller Scrublands|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2023/bbc-acquires-new-australian-crime-drama-scrublands|website=BBC Media Centre|date=September 4, 2023|access-date=September 7, 2023}} it also aired on AMC from 2 May 2024. On 17 March 2025, Stan announced that series 2 will air on 17 April 2025.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2025-03-17 |title=Returning: Scrublands {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/03/returning-scrublands.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}} On 10 March 2025, Channel 9 announced it would be airing the first season from 18 March 2025.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2025-03-10 |title=Airdate: Scrublands {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/03/airdate-scrublands-2.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}
Reception
Luke Buckmaster of The Guardian rated the series 4 stars, saying the story can be a "bit pulpy", but that it was a rock solid addition to "rural noir".{{Cite news |last=Buckmaster |first=Luke |date=2023-11-23 |title=Scrublands review – Chris Hammer adaptation is a rock solid addition to Australian rural noir |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/24/scrublands-review-chris-hammer-adaptation-is-a-rock-solid-addition-to-australian-rural-noir |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
David Knox of TV Tonight also rated the series 4 stars. Knox said that while the four episodes make for a slow burn, it remained engaging with the cast and story.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2023-11-16 |title=Scrublands {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/11/scrublands.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}
References
External links
- {{IMDb title|tt26909806}}
{{Stan (streaming service)}}
Category:Australian English-language television shows