Augusta crossing fingers to host Stan series Scrublands production in May

Residents in Augusta are pumped at the possibility of playing host to one of the country’s most popular crime shows Scrublands, as Stan eyes filming in the region later this year.

While the online streamer and partners at Screenwest were keeping the production’s location under wraps, Augusta was buzzing with talk among community groups and accommodation providers that the series would start filming its second season at the end of May.

In publicising the State Government support for the project last week, the specific location wasn’t mentioned, and while partners declined to confirm, accommodation providers told the Times they were taking bookings for crews wrapping up work on other shoots elsewhere in the State.

Augusta Community Development Association spokesperson Carolyn Tenardi said the production came at a great time for seasonal operators at the start of the winter lull.

“Members of the Augusta community are delighted to welcome the cast and crew for the forthcoming filming of Scrublands due to commence in late May,” she said.

“This comes during our winter season so will be a boost to the local economy along with providing a great promotional opportunity for our town and magnificent surroundings.

“We hope they will even get some time to enjoy our annual visit of whales to Flinders Bay.”

Experience Augusta operator Maxine Petty said she loved that the production chose to have “an authentic experience” by staying in the area where filming will take place.

The seaside hamlet has long been crying out for the “Australian noir” treatment.

While Scrublands’ first season filmed in the outback, season two will see main character Martin Scarsden, a journalist played by Australian actor Luke Arnold, return to his home town of “Port Silver”.

In a precis released by Screenwest, Scrublands’ second season would pick up on the action from season one, but with a new investigation.

“Martin Scarsden has returned to his coastal hometown, Port Silver, to set up a new life with partner Mandy Bond,” the agency said.

“When he arrives to find his childhood friend Jasper brutally murdered and Mandy the prime suspect, Martin makes it his duty to find the real murderer and absolve Mandy.

“In the process, he confronts hidden truths about Port Silver and his own long-buried past.”

Stan said more details would be confirmed closer to the date, but didn’t quash reports Augusta was the chosen location.

Production company Easy Tiger has joined forces with new WA production company Third Act Stories to produce the season in WA with funding from Screenwest, Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund specifically designed to attract screen projects to regional WA.

Arts Minister David Templeman was due to confirm the details in a forthcoming announcement.