The Far North’s attraction as a screen production hot spot is ramping up with the latest ten-part drama series commissioned by streaming giant Netflix to be filmed in the region.
Irreverent will be filmed in Mission Beach later this year with the beauty of the region featuring across US television screens.
Netflix and NBCU will be co-commissioners on Irreverent, a series about an American crook hiding out in a small Australian reef community in Far North Queensland, posing as the new church Reverend.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Netflix’s commission of Irreverent, a new ten-part drama series produced by NBCUniversal International Studios’ Matchbox Pictures, is a great example of Queensland-filmed content for the global market.
“This is one of the three landmark Universal Studios Group productions lured by the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy in 2020,” the Premier said.
“Securing these three productions is a critical part of Queensland’s economic recovery, contributing hundreds of millions to the local economy and importantly creating thousands of local jobs.”
Far North Queensland Screen Champion, Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt, welcomed the announcement and said Irreverent would commence filming at Mission Beach later in the year.
“The Far North is an incredibly diverse backdrop for screen productions,” Mr Pitt said.
“Having productions like Irreverent film here, not only boosts the local economy and creates local jobs, but it shows off our spectacular region.
“The natural beauty of Queensland’s Far North will be streamed into living rooms across the world., affirming the region’s status not only as a production paradise but also as a bucket-list destination for future travel.”
Netflix Director of Content for ANZ Que Minh Luu said Queensland would be an important element of the drama.
“We were drawn to Irreverent by its warmth, optimism and celebration of community with a uniquely Australian sense of humour – like Northern Exposure in Far North Queensland,” Minh Luu said.
“We’re thrilled to work with NBCUniversal International Studios and Matchbox on bringing this premium drama series to life for our ANZ Netflix members.”
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said that Far North Queensland is a unique production location, like nowhere else in the world and in high demand from both domestic and international productions.
“The tropical north creates a tense and exotic atmosphere for drama, and the story of Irreverent, set in a small reef community, is a perfect fit for Mission Beach.
“This production, together with other recent dramas including The Steve Jaggi Company’s Dive Club filmed in Port Douglas, underscores the region’s expansion as a screen hub, with the new Screen Queensland Cairns studio set to be operational by early 2022.”
Irreverent will screen exclusively on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand, and on Peacock in the U.S.
ENDS
Media Enquiries: media@screenqld.com.au
