Cameras roll on RFDS in Broken Hill

Filming on new Seven drama RFDS (working title) begins in Broken Hill today.

Joining the previously announced cast of Justine Clarke, Stephen Peacocke and Rob Collins are Emma Hamilton, Ash Ricardo, Kate Mulvany, Rodney Afif and Jack Scott plus Sofia Nolan, Thomas Weatherall and Ash Hodgkinson in their first major television roles.

The eight-hour drama centres around modern-day heroes of the Royal Flying Doctor Service as they navigate private lives as turbulent and profound as the emergencies they attend.

Co-creator and Producer Imogen Banks said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have assembled such a brilliant cast to bring our characters and this compelling world to life.

“The entire production is honoured to be highlighting the critical work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, whilst showcasing the unique beauty of Broken Hill and its surrounds to audiences both in Australia and around the world.

“Obviously there are strict protocols in place as we take the health and safety of our cast, crew and the wider community very seriously, and are working closely with the Local Council, and within the Federal and State guidelines, as well as in accordance with all Government directives as they are issued,” she continued.

Seven Network Executive Producer Julie McGauran said: “Now more than ever we should be celebrating true heroes, and we are excited that this series will highlight those of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, with powerful storylines set in the majesty of rural Australia.

“We are genuinely delighted to be working with this extraordinary cast and the amazing team of creatives to realise this series.”

Due to COVID delays the drama has now been pushed back to 2021.

An Endemol Shine Banks production, with major production investment from the Seven Network in association with Screen Australia, RFDS (working title) is financed with support from Screen NSW through the Made In NSW Fund and the Regional Filming Fund, with Endemol Shine International handling worldwide sales. Co-created by Imogen Banks, Mark Fennessy and Ian Meadows, the series is being produced by Imogen Banks and Sara Richardson, written by Ian Meadows, Claire Phillips, Adrian Russell Wills and Jon Bell and directed by Jennifer Leacey, Jeremy Sims and Adrian Russell Wills with Endemol Shine Australia’s Mark Fennessy and Carl Fennessy and Seven’s Julie McGauran as executive producers.