Principal photography on the Netflix Australian drama series The Survivors will take place in Tasmania in 2024, with development, production and post-production occurring in Victoria.
The Survivors is adapted from Australian bestselling author Jane Harper’s novel 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.
Set in a Tasmanian seaside town, The Survivors is a crime-mystery series which explores the impact of unresolved grief. Tony Ayres will act as 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 Victorian Minister for the Arts, Colin Books,said the production is expected to create over 200 jobs in the State. Tasmanian Minister for the Arts, Madeleine Ogilvie, said it would create jobs for 110 Tasmanian cast and crew and an estimated 720 extras.
The series is supported by VicScreen through the Victorian Production Fund and with production support from Screen Tasmania. NBCUniversal Global Distribution will manage international sales.
The Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Books, says: “Based on the novel by Victoria’s own Jane Harper, The Survivors is being developed by an incredible team of local screen talent.
“As part of our ongoing work to boost Victoria’s profile as a global screen powerhouse, we’re proud to back this series which has created 200 jobs in our state before a single frame is shot.”
The Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Tasmanian Minister for the Arts, says: “I am delighted that the Netflix series The Survivors will be filmed in Tasmania. Our ability to provide production support coupled with an incredible array of accessible landscapes and locations is becoming globally recognised. From our beautiful and picturesque towns to our sea swept coastlines, Tasmania is unique in providing film production locations.
“Our screen sector is robust, rich with talent and growing. We are elevating our screen industry with dedicated focus and commitment to investment. The Survivors will be the largest production ever filmed in Tasmania. We anticipate that 110 Tasmanian cast and crew will be hired on the production. This provides emerging filmmakers with an opportunity to be trained through Screen Tasmania’s Training and Placements program. The Tasmanian government is serious about supporting screen work in the state and we are building upon our early success in a very positive way.”
Que Minh Luu, Netflix Director of Content ANZ, says: “It’s a thrill to be able to shoot our next production among the rich, stunning landscapes of Tasmania for the very first time, and to be back working with the world-class creatives in Victoria. We’re excited to join forces with Tony Ayres Productions, bringing Jane Harper’s acclaimed book ‘The Survivors’ to life as a gripping crime-mystery limited series that delves into the complex themes of unresolved grief through a uniquely Australian lens. We’re proud to support our country’s best creators and talent and invest in stories that connect deeply with our local audiences, and throughout the world.”
Tony Ayres, Showrunner, Executive Producer and Writer, says: “Jane Harper’s brilliant writing has the rare ability to speak to an audience both widely and deeply, and that’s our ambition in adapting ‘The Survivors’ to screen. We want to intrigue and move our viewers, just as Jane does with her readers. We’re blessed to be working with the brilliant Netflix team, a stunning cast and crew led by the indomitable Andy Walker and Cherie Nowlan.”
Matt Vitins, Executive Producer and Matchbox Pictures COO, says: “The Survivors will present a sophisticated Australian story to an international audience. Our production model will access incredible Tasmanian locations; and state-of-the-art Victorian facilities and post-production infrastructure. It will also provide significant direct investment in each State’s economy. We thank VicScreen, Screen Tasmania and each of the Victorian and Tasmanian governments for being exceptional partners in this project.”
Netflix has also committed $100,000 to support attachments for six emerging Tasmanian and Victorian screen practitioners on the production. This will provide the opportunity to experience working life on set and further their screen career ambitions with targeted attachments on the production across various departments.
The five talented Tasmanians and one Victorian selected for the Netflix attachment program are First Nations filmmaker and artist Kartanya Maynard who will be a Producer and Director Attachment as well as a Costume Department Art Finisher; First Nations Filmmaker Georgia Stone will be an Assistant Director Attachment; emerging writer and director Vee Shi will be a Director’s Attachment, and candidates will be selected for a First Nations Introductory Attachment, Q-Take Video Split Operator Attachment, Sustainability Attachment and Post-Production Supervisor Attachment.
The Survivors will be released globally on Netflix. The series is part of Netflix’s growing local slate of Australian films, shows and documentaries including previously released 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 newly announced projects such as Boy Swallows Universe, Desert King, Apple Cider Vinegar and Eddies’ Little Homie
