Tasmania's home-grown talent will soon be showcased on television screens around the country with production underway on the $14 million television series The Kettering Incident.
This is the largest television series ever to film in Tasmania and the Liberal Government is investing $1 million in the eight-part series with filming to take place in Kettering and around south-eastern Tasmania until December, employing hundreds of Tasmanians both on-screen and off.
The production will see around 300 Tasmanians employed including cast, crew and the wider hospitality industry, with around $5 million being injected into the local economy.
The series is co-created and co-produced by Tasmanian writer Vicki Madden (Lynda La Plante's Trial and Retribution, The Bill, Halifax FP), Vincent Sheehan (The Hunter, Animal Kingdom, The Rover) and produced by Andrew Walker (Wonderland, Mr & Mrs Murder, A Moody Christmas).
The stellar Tasmanian cast include, Brad Kannegeiser, Alison Whyte, Katie Robertson, Marcus Hensley, Nathan Spencer, Kris McQuade and Matthew Burton, joining AACTA award winning lead actors Elizabeth Debicki and Mathew Le Nevez, who is well known for his role as Dr Patrick Reid in Offspring.
Tasmanian crew are working alongside industry professionals from around the country including directors Rowan Woods (Rake, The Broken Shore, Little Fish, The Boys) and Tony Krawitz (Dead Europe, The Tall Man) and writers Andrew Knight (Rake, Sea Change) Cate Shortland (Somersault, Lore) and Louise Fox (Broadchurch, Love My Way, Rush).
Foxtel Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh says Tasmania's unique location will be a predominant feature of the production.
"The stunning and enigmatic landscapes are an essential element of The Kettering Incident and, with these amazing backdrops, coupled with a compelling story and remarkable cast, this will be one of the most highly anticipated Australian television dramas of 2015."
"We are delighted to partner with Screen Tasmania, Screen Australia and the Tasmanian Government on this exciting new drama series for our subscribers. Along with producers Vincent Sheehan and Victoria Madden we are also proud to be the first Australian television broadcaster to shoot a prime time drama here and have the opportunity to work with the wealth of Tasmanian talent in front and behind the camera.
Screen Tasmania's attachment training initiative has resulted in twelve emerging screen practitioners gaining on-the-job training as crew. This is fostering local talent and building industry capability with trainees working across a range of departments, including the creative areas of scriptwriting and directing, as well as the craft specialisations such as editing and art department.