In another sign the domestic film industry is returning to pre-pandemic status, a present-day mystery thriller starring Leah Purcell is set to start production in Victoria’s Alpine region.

In the final commission by Foxtel’s late executive Brian Walsh, High Country will most likely be set around the remote town of Jamieson and the Mansfield Shire, much to the delight of locals, with reports it will inject $15 million into the local economy.

“I can’t wait to go to work in the Victorian Alps delving into scripts with adventurous and thrilling storylines. I look forward to bringing this first-class new series to local and international audiences where Country and Australian-ness are central to the story,” said Purcell, who is lead actor and executive producer on the eight-part series.

“When detective Andrea (Andie) Whitford (Purcell) is transferred to the Victorian High Country, she is thrust into a baffling mystery of five missing persons who have vanished into the wilderness,” Screen Australia’s (SA) official synopsis reads.

“Through an edge-of-the-seat, high-stakes investigation, Andie uncovers a complex web involving murder, deceit and revenge.

“High Country will be set and filmed in a region of Victoria rarely captured on screen with the epic, ancient landscape of conflicting mythologies and stark contrasts set to become a character itself.”

SA describes it as a “fast-paced thriller with complex, real characters … set against the vast, majestic landscape of the Victorian Alps and weaving in First Nations cultural stories”.

The series also stars Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road, Jack Irish), New Zealand actor Sara Wiseman (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, A Place to Call Home) and Irish actor Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls).

Man from Snowy River country

Victoria’s High Country was firmly put on the map more than 40 years ago, when George Miller’s 1982 The Man From Snowy River film gave places like Mount Hotham, Mount Bogong, Mansfield and Merrijig (and its iconic pub) a serious economic and regional development boost.

It cemented Banjo Paterson’s poem, gave US actor Kirk Douglas a taste of Australian cowboys, and made international stars – and decent horse riders – of Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton.

It gave Jack Thompson and local cattlemen (Lovicks and Stoneys) legend status and made Craig’s Hut one of Australia’s most recognised tourist destinations for a day walk or bike ride over summer.

After the premiere at the Mansfield Cinema in 1982, overnight the town became a household name.

Gareth MacDonald, Mansfield Shire Council’s economic development officer (Tourism and Events) told The New Daily the area has one of the largest population growths in the state, with a “bustling tourism
industry”.

“Seeing our stunning landscapes in this production will promote further interest in our beautiful rivers, lakes and mountains, in a similar way to how The Man from Snowy River showcased the High Country and The Castle garnered increased interest in Bonnie Doon,” he said.

“When a television series such as Foxtel’s High Country is filmed within Mansfield Shire, it shines a spotlight on the beautiful, natural offerings of our region, and shows that we are a welcoming destination, with a community who is keen to be involved in exciting projects,” Mayor James Tehan added.

“It also shows what we can deliver as a shire by accommodating large-scale productions and has a positive flown-on effect to our local business economy.”

Although there have been a few films and TV series over the past few decades, including Purcell’s The Drovers Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, filmed on the New South Wales side of the Snowy Mountains, Foxtel’s Amanda Laing pointed out it was a “setting rarely seen on screen”.

“High Country is an original Australian story inspired by the cultures, identities and landscapes of the Victorian Alps – a setting rarely seen on screen.

With support from Screen Australia, VicScreen and Curio Pictures, the hope is audiences around Australia and internationally will “enjoy this authentically Australian story – filled with twists and turns, mystery and an undeniable sense of place”.

Victoria’s Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos said the series will create jobs for 250 people “… all while telling a story set against the beauty of our alpine region”.

Purcell also directed, as well as wrote and starred in this classic Australian western.

News of the series comes as a Screen Australia report about representation in Australian TV drama shows we’re improving when it comes to diversity.

It says the screen industry is becoming more aware of the “cultural and commercial value of creating diverse content” despite a number of Australia’s communities under-represented on screen.

Since 2016, there has been a higher representation of First Nations people, up from 4.8 per cent to 7.2 per cent, disabled people up from 3.6 per cent to 6.6 per cent, and LGTBIQ+ people up from 4.5 per cent to 7.4 per cent.

“Australian drama on screen is compelling and powerful,” federal Arts Minister Tony Burke said.

“It’s a cornerstone of how Australians see themselves, learn about each other and how the world comes to know us. It shouldn’t be too much to ask that when you watch Australian screen, it looks like modern Australia.”

It seems as though High Country is ticking all the boxes.

High Country will begin production in Victoria this month and will air on Foxtel and Binge