Filming is underway in Victoria’s high country on the six-part crime drama Savage River. Complementing ABC’s 2022 Australian drama line-up, this series features an ensemble cast of established and emerging Australian actors, backed by a creative team led by director Jocelyn Moorhouse and cinematographer Don McAlpine.
Produced by Aquarius Films and starring Golden Globe-nominated actress Katherine Langford (Thirteen Reasons Why, Knives Out), Jacqueline McKenzie (Bloom, Reckoning), Cooper Van Grootel (One Of Us is Lying), Nadine Garner (The Doctor Blake Mysteries), James Mackay (Dynasty), Bernard Curry (Wentworth), Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin), Virginia Gay (Winners & Losers), Daniel Henshall (Snowtown) and Osamah Sami (Ali’s Wedding), Savage River tells the story of Miki Anderson (Katherine Langford), who returns to her hometown in rural Victoria after eight years in prison, determined to finally move on with her life.
But the close-knit community of Savage River is not about to let her forget the past that easily. When a murder rocks the town, Miki immediately becomes the focus of everyone’s suspicion. With the police closing in, she sets out to prove her innocence, uncovering long-buried secrets that will cast doubt on everything she thought she knew.
Additional cast include Robert Grubb, Leah Vandenberg, Amesh Edireweera, Richard Piper, with many undertaking their first major role – Miranda Anwar, Maia Abbas, Haya Abbas, Bill Zeng, Julian Weeks, Jack Kenny, and Hattie Hook.
ABC head of drama, entertainment and Indigenous Sally Riley says “Aquarius Films have assembled an amazing cast led by the immensely talented Katherine Langford and Jacqueline McKenzie. This moody mystery set in stunning regional Victoria will keep you guessing till the end. We can’t wait to share this gripping series with audiences later this year.”
Producers and co-writers Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford of Aquarius Films say, “We are thrilled to be making Savage River with Jocelyn Moorhouse at the helm of all six episodes – she is one of the most talented Australian directors working today and her previous work is a testament to her unique artistic vision. Combined with the potent on-screen presence of Katherine Langford, scripts overseen by the brilliant Giula Sandler, and set against the unique specificity of the Australian rural and social landscape, Savage River will take viewers on an unsettling exploration of a small-town community that hides many secrets.”
Savage River will film in Melbourne and regional Victoria over the next 9 weeks and will air on ABC TV and ABC iview later this year.