| Genre: | Drama |
| Based On: | Scrublands (novel) by Chris Hammer |
| Country: | Australia |
| Language: | English |
| Num Seasons: | 1 |
| Num Episodes: | 4 |
| Network: | Stan |
| Last Aired: | present |
Scrublands is an Australian drama series for Stan, released on 16 November 2023, produced by Easy Tiger and based on the novel written by Chris Hammer. The series follows journalist Martin Scarsden, who is following what he believed to be a simple story on the town on the anniversary of a town tragedy, with nothing as it seems, Martin digs deep to reveal the truth behind what happened. A second series of Scrublands was announced in March 2024.
A small isolated town is rocked by tragedy after a local priest shoots dead five parishioners, as the town continues to grieve Martin Scardsen a journalist finds himself in the small town in what he thinks would be a simple story about the tragedy but what unfolds in finding out the truth will push Martin to his limits.[1]
Series two cast were named when the series was renewed on 5 June 2024, with Arnold and Heathcote both reprising their roles from the first series.[2]
| 1 | Episode 1 | Greg McLean | Felicity Packard | 16 November 2023 | [3] |
| 2 | Episode 2 | Kelsey Munro | |||
| 3 | Episode 3 | Jock Serong | |||
| 4 | Episode 4 | Felicity Packard |
The series is based on the novel written by Chris Hammer. Production of the series was announced on 27 February 2023 as a joint filming commission between Stan and the Nine Network, with filming taking place in Victoria. Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote, and Jay Ryan were cast in the lead roles. Greg McLean directed the series, with Felicity Packard, Kelsey Munro, and Jock Serong as writers.[4] [5] Series 1 was produced by Easy Tiger.
BBC acquired the rights to air the show in the UK.[6] US broadcaster AMC announced in April 2024 that it had acquired the rights for the series..[7]
In March 2024 a second series was announced.[8] [9] In June 2024, it was announced that filming would be moving from Victoria to Western Australia.[10] [11]
Season 1 of the series was released on Stan on 16 November 2023,[12] [13] and was aired on BBC Four in the UK in the same month,[14] it also aired on AMC from 2 May 2024.
Luke Buckmaster of The Guardian rated the series 4 stars, saying the story can be a "bit pulpy", but that it was a rock solid addition to "rural noir".[15]
David Knox of TV Tonight also rated the series 4 stars. Knox said that while the four episodes make for a slow burn, it remained engaging with the cast and story.[16]