John Jarratt back for Wolf Creek spin-off

John Jarratt will reprise his role as the terrifying Mick Taylor in Stan’s spin-off series, Wolf Creek, which goes into production in South Australia today.

The six part psychological thriller, to be produced by Screentime, is the biggest investment in local drama by a Streaming service. Creator Greg McLean will return to Australia to direct, along with Tony Tilse.

Lucy Fry (Vampire Academy, Mako: Island of Secrets) will star as 19-year-old Eve, an American tourist targeted by the crazed serial killer, but who survives his attack and embarks on a mission of revenge.

Nick Forward, Stan’s Content and Product Director, told TV Tonight, the success of the films means the adaptation will find an international audience.

“That was one of the things that appealed to us: it’s an existing brand that has strong fan base in many parts of the world. This feels like a nice way to continue the story in a way that’s no exactly like the films. It’s kind of a different take, a different genre on the same world,” he said.

“It’s a thriller, not a horror, what we’re doing. A 6 hour horror is hard to propel and keep people engaged with. So it will be an episodic thriller.”

The series will be shot in South Australia, featuring striking Outback landscapes.

“You can’t buy that landscape, so we will make the most of it,” he added.

Currently based in Los Angeles, Lucy Fry (pictured, above) will also be seen the upcoming Stephen King film 11/22/63, the Australian feature Now Add Honey and the upcoming thriller 6 Miranda Drive -also directed by Greg McLean.

The drama has also assembled a stellar Australian cast including Dustin Clare (Strike Back, Anzac Girls, Spartacus: War of the Damned), Deborah Mailman (Offspring, Redfern Now, The Sapphires), Miranda Tapsell (Love Child, Redfern Now, The Sapphires), Jessica Tovey (Wonderland, Dance Academy, Home & Away), Jake Ryan (Wentworth, Fat Tony & Co, Underbelly: Razor) and Richard Cawthorne (Catching Milat, Fat Tony & Co., Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms).

Creator and Executive Producer, Greg McLean, said: “I am thrilled to be collaborating with Stan and the
Screentime team to bring Wolf Creek to audiences around the world. I’m excited to work with such a
talented group of individuals and delve deeper into the dangerous world and character of Mick Taylor, once again portrayed by John Jarratt.”

Emmanuelle Namiech, Managing Director, Banijay International, said: “Wolf Creek is a unique event scripted series with high-quality talent in front of and behind the camera. We are proud to launch our drama strategy with this successful franchise.”

Wolf Creek is a Screentime (a Banijay Group company) production in association with Emu Creek Pictures, financed with the assistance of Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation. International sales are being handled by

Peter Gawler and Felicity Packard are the writers on the series, and produced by Peter Gawler and Elisa Argenzio. Executive producers are Greg Haddrick and Greg McLean with Jo Rooney, Andy Ryan, Nick Forward and Rob Gibson.

All 6 episodes will drop at once on Stan in mid-2016, ahead of international sales handled by Banijay International.

This week Stan launches its first local commission, No Activity.