Netflix has announced that the production of its first Australian original series, Tidelands, will begin in Queensland sometime next year. The series will be available to Netflix users around the globe.
The supernatural crime drama follows a reformed criminal who makes her return home to Orphelin Bay, a small fishing village. She begins investigating when a local fisherman's body washes ashore. Not only does she need to uncover the secrets in town, but she also must investigate the strange inhabitants known as "Tidelanders," a group of dangerous half-sirens, half-humans.
The show was created and written by Secrets & Lies creator, Stephen M. Irwin. The Brisbane-based production company, Hoodlum Entertainment, producer of both the Australian and U.S. adaptations of Secrets & Lies, will be producing Tidelands as well. The first season of Tidelanders is set for ten 50-minute episodes.
“We are excited to be partnering with Netflix on Tidelands -- this story is one that has been itching to be told and we are thrilled to be making it on our home soil in Australia with fantastic creatives and highly skilled crews,” said executive producer, Tracey Robertson. Robertson added that “the primeval landscapes of Queensland are a perfect setting to tell the story of betrayal, small town secrets, ancient mythology and, when it comes to family, explore whether blood really is thicker than water.”
“We can’t wait to bring the mystery of Tidelands to our members around the world,” said Netflix vice president of international original series, Erik Barmack.
Although this is Netflix's first Australian original series, it is not the first time that the company has set foot in the land down under. Netflix has co-produced Australian projects such as Glitch, Bottersnikes & Gumbles, Beat Bugs, Mako Mermaides: An H2O Adventure, Kazoops, White Rabbit Project and the upcoming Legend of Monkey. Netflix also licenses popular Australian programs such as Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and The Code.