‘Desert King,’ Epic Outback Tale of Power, Money and Loyalty, Starts Shooting for Netflix in Australia

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Filming is now underway in Australia for “Desert King,” an ambitious neo-western drama series set to become one of Netflix’s prestigious offerings in the Asia-Pacific region.

you are watching: ‘Desert King,’ Epic Outback Tale of Power, Money and Loyalty, Starts Shooting for Netflix in Australia

The series delves into the themes of power and wealth amidst the unforgiving terrain of Australia’s Outback. Filming locations for this captivating production include the remote Northern Territory and the vicinity of Adelaide, South Australia.

The narrative unfolds as the world’s largest cattle station finds itself without a clear heir, leading to generational conflicts that threaten to shatter the Lawson family’s legacy. In the wake of the dynasty’s apparent decline, various formidable forces of the Outback, including rival cattle barons, desert underworld figures, Indigenous elders, and billionaire miners, all converge to seize their share of power and influence, as described by Netflix in its synopsis.

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While Netflix has touted “Desert King” as “one of the largest local screen productions filmed in both the [Northern] Territory and South Australia,” and has praised its “extraordinary cast,” the streaming giant has not yet revealed the identities of the actors involved.

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Greg McLean, known for his work on “La Brea” and “Wolf Creek,” takes the director’s seat for this series. “Desert King” is a collaborative effort between Easy Tiger and Ronde and is the brainchild of creators Tim Lee (“Mystery Road,” “Bump”) and Ben Davies. The series is backed by executive producers Ben Davies, Rob Gibson, and Ian Collie, with Paul Ranford as the producer.

Crucially, the production enjoys support from the Northern Territory Government’s Production Attraction Incentive Program (PAIP) and financial backing from the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) through the SAFC Screen Production Fund. PAIP aims to draw large-scale Australian and international productions to the Territory, boosting the local screen industry and contributing to the NT economy by generating employment opportunities and stimulating the goods and services sector.

Post-production work is also set to take place in South Australia, facilitated by the SAFC’s SA Post-Production, Digital, and Visual Effects (PDV) Rebate.

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Filming will unfold on the ancestral lands of the Larrakia people (Darwin, Northern Territory) and the Kaurna people (Adelaide, South Australia). Ahead of production, Netflix and Screen Territory partnered on the First Nations Production Ready Bootcamp, which supported ten First Nations participants by offering a comprehensive overview of the intricacies of screen production, thereby preparing them for trainee and attachment roles.

Netflix’s commitment to Australian content continues to grow, with titles like “Heartbreak High,” “Wellmania,” “True Spirit,” and “Run Rabbit Run” already in their library. Upcoming releases and recently announced projects, such as “Boy Swallows Universe,” “Surviving Summer Season 2,” “Love Is in the Air,” and “Onefour: Against All Odds,” further underline the streaming platform’s dedication to Australian storytelling. Que Minh Luu, Netflix’s director of content ANZ, expressed excitement about the project, stating, “We’re working with some of Australia’s leading creators and crew to bring to life a version of this country we’re proud to show to our members both here at home and around the world.”

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Executive producers Ben Davies and Rob Gibson shared their enthusiasm, describing “Desert King” as “the ultimate tale of big land, big money, and all the high-stakes drama that come with it.” They emphasized their commitment to authentically capturing the rarely-seen world, characters, and stories of the Top End, where traditional meets contemporary, and the landscape holds both life and peril. The production promises to offer a fresh perspective on this captivating region, both to local audiences and the global Netflix community.