Screenwest welcomes ‘Mystery Road: Origin’ back to Western Australia for season two
Screenwest is thrilled to announce production has commenced in the South West of Western Australia on the highly anticipated second season of critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning ABC series Mystery Road: Origin, thanks to major production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund.
The six-part drama produced by Bunya Productions, is the fourth Mystery Road series to be filmed in Western Australia, following seasons filmed in Kununurra/Wyndham, Broome and Kalgoorlie/Coolgardie.
Western Australian director Jub Clerc is directing the series following her award-winning feature film debut, Sweet As, and three Western Australian actors have reprised their lead roles – AACTA Award-winning Lead Actor and proud Nyikina man Mark Coles Smith (We Bury The Dead, Beasts of War) as Young Jay, AACTA Award-winning Lead Actress Tuuli Narkle (NCIS S1 & S2, Territory) as Young Mary and Clarence Ryan (Territory, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) as Sputty.
Western Australian Heads of Department include Herbert Pinter (Production Design), Terri Lamera (Costume Design), Greg Stirling (Key Grip), Jean Vandermeiren (Gaffer), Mark Boskell (First AD) and Gavin Repton (Sound Recordist).
Screenwest CEO, Rikki Lea Bestall said: “A big welcome back to Bunya Productions and the ABC. We are so proud to have now hosted four seasons of this critically-acclaimed series in Western Australia. This time, the majestic forests of Pemberton in the South West will provide the backdrop for Jay and Mary as they navigate their new life together. Congratulations to Greer, David and the entire Mystery Road team.”
Season two of Mystery Road: Origin continues to delve into the early years of Detective Jay Swan. Six months from when we last saw young Jay and his partner Mary, we find them attempting to forge a new life together on her mother’s Country, in the fading town of Loch Iris.
As Jay begins to investigate an unfolding case, Loch Iris closes ranks around him. And the more he pieces together the crime, the more he realises the entire town has been hiding a shadowy past. It’s a past that is still rippling through to the present. And with it, a secret, that threatens to tear Jay and Mary apart.
The impressive ensemble cast includes Robyn Malcolm (After The Party, The Survivors), Geoff Morrell (Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, Ice Road 2: The Road to the Sky), Nicholas Bell (Elvis, Bay of Fires), Luke Carroll (Scrublands S2, The Artful Dodger), Helen Morse (The Eye of the Storm, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Aswan Reid (The New Boy, Beasts of War), Steve Le Marquand (Population 11, Christmess), Pippa Grandison (Population 11, After the Verdict), Rarriwuy Hick (Wentworth, True Colours), Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Sweet As, Firebite), Tammy Lee Rock (The Sapphires, Boxing Day), Marley Sharp (The Circuit, Redfern Now), Alex Malone (The Royal Hotel, Colin From Accounts), Greg Tait (Firebite, Mad Bastards) and introducing Eloise Hart.
ABC Head of Scripted, Rachel Okine said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Bunya Productions on the highly anticipated return of this iconic series. With a stunning new WA location, impeccable cast and compelling crime story that delves deep into our social fabric, our ABC audiences are in for another absolute masterclass in outback noir”.
Bunya Productions Producer, Greer Simpkin said: “We are delighted to be on our next Mystery Road journey, where Detective Jay Swan heads to partner Mary’s hometown in the tall trees of the southern forests. There is murder, abduction and epic love, but it is the past, the ghosts of the stolen generation who haunt our story… This series was written by an entirely First Nations writing team. Outstanding directors Jub Clerc and Wayne Blair are at the helm. Returning to their iconic roles from Origin series one are Mark Coles Smith, Tuuli Narkle and Clarence Ryan along with a terrific ensemble cast including Robyn Malcolm. We are excited to bring to our audiences an entirely new Mystery Road world, a visual feast set in the trees, dams and waterways of the South West of Western Australia to our audiences”.
Screen Australia, Head of First Nations Angela Bates said: “Audiences everywhere have been captivated by the rich characters, intricate backstories, and powerful themes explored throughout the Mystery Road world. We’re thrilled to be supporting this talented creative team as they deliver an exciting new chapter for Jay Swan and Mary Allen, who navigate the complexities of a new town, confront racism, and uncover hidden crimes of the past.”
Mystery Road: Origin season two will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2025.
Production credit: Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Mystery Road: Origin is produced by Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey of Bunya Productions with major production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund. Financed in association with Screen NSW, with All3Media International handling international sales. Written by Steven McGregor, Jada Alberts, Erica Glynn, Samuel Paynter and Gary Hamaguchi. Script Producer Deb Cox. Directed by Wayne Blair and Jub Clerc. ABC Executive Producers Rachel Okine and Brett Sleigh.
Contact Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au
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