Disney+’ The Clearing may be based on the novel In The Clearing by J.P. Pomare but both are also inspired by the darkness of real-life cults in Australia and around the world.
The emotional and psychological thriller, which lands on Disney+ on May 24, follows the nightmares of a cult and a woman who’s forced to face the demons from her past in order to stop the kidnapping and coercion of innocent children in the future and the series burrows under the skin and inside the mind, blurring the lines between past and present, reality and nightmare in a truly unnerving way.
For actors Hazem Shamas (Joe) and Julia Savage (Amy), the story is not only riveting but “recognisable”.
“I’m sure the rest of the country was familiar with the cult of the family and some stories of other cult stories that were out there that were very familiar,” Shamas told Mediaweek before the premiere. “So when we were reading it initially, it was recognisable. But I guess that was the power of it and good art should be recognisable and should be familiar.”
Shamas, who has previously starred in Underbelly and Safe Harbour, also added that it’s a way to “provoke” you.
“I think that’s what’s most interesting and that’s what JP did really well in the novel. And then, for the adaptation of it to be a success is quite an achievement.”
Hazem Shammas and Henrik Wilczek. Disney+
Julia Savage’s Amy is “complex” and filled with “trauma”
For 16-year-old Savage, playing the role of Amy was one of the most “magical” things she’s done, especially because Amy is so “complex”.
In fact, her past credits include Mr Inbetween and Prime Video’s Class of ’07; however, this role is by far the most gritty of the lot.
“I really do feel like she found me,” Savage said during the same interview. “Because it’s such a complex character with so much emotion and so much trauma that she has to go through, that I really think there’s anything you can’t build it upon, rather than just letting it happen.”
“I think she’s a very rural character, she’s very anxious,” she said. “And I think she’s also very maternal to the children that she takes care of, especially with those children and relationships just blossom just from spending time with them and I love them all to bits.”
The Clearing. Disney+
Hazem Shammas’ Joe was created for the TV series
For Shammas, his character was created purely for the series, so researching the role came in the form of crime dramas.
“Joe was a totally fictionalised character even for the TV story but with every good crime thriller you need flawed cops so he gets to be that and follow the trail,” he said before adding: “And when you work with material like this, you almost don’t need to do research, you just got to really honour the words that you’ve got page after page, it was so rich.
“The tragedy of all the drama that unfolded was just so kind of complex and rich that you really just dove in and did your work. It was wonderful.”
As for the ensemble cast which includes Miranda Otto, Guy Pearce and Teresa Palmer, both stars said they were so fortunate to be surrounded by not only a talented cohort, but also a supportive one as well.
“There was always a trust with every scene,” Savage said. “Especially dealing with such content, which is quite horrifying, haunting themes. Having a cast, an ensemble cast, that you trusted so much [was great] and we all knew we were making something really, really special.”
The Clearing premieres on Disney+ on May 24.