Thomas Jane goes Troppo for ABC

US actor Thomas Jane (The Expanse, Hung) will star in the new eight-part crime drama for ABC, Troppo, based on Candice Fox’s bestselling novel Crimson Lake.

The series follows the life of disgraced ex-cop Ted Conkaffey (Thomas Jane) who is begrudgingly recruited by Amanda Pharrell – an eccentric PI with a disturbing criminal past – to help uncover the whereabouts of a missing Korean family man and tech pioneer. Although by-the-book Ted and whirlwind Amanda inevitably clash, as they begin to unravel a string of bizarre deaths, the partnership that once seemed doomed to fail will see them thrust into a mutual fight for survival and sanity in the wilds of Far North Queensland, as their own traumatic pasts are dragged painfully into the present.

Filming on the Gold Coast and in Far North Queensland later this year, the series is created for television by Yolanda Ramke (Cargo, The Haunting of Bly Manor). Jocelyn Moorhouse (Wakefield, Stateless) is set-up director. Further cast and crew announcements to come.

ABC Head of Scripted Production Sally Riley says, “We’re thrilled to welcome Thomas Jane to our shores and can’t wait to see him and the talented team at EQ Media Group and Beyond Entertainment bring this gripping series to life.”

AGC Television President Lourdes Diaz says, “AGC Television is excited to co-finance Yolanda Ramke’s fantastic adaptation of Crimson Lake, and to be partnering with the ABC, Beyond Entertainment and EQ Media Group to bring this story to screens all over the world. We’re thrilled to have Thomas Jane on board as our Ted.”

Screen Australia’s Head of Content Sally Caplan says, “We’re proud to support Troppo, a riveting Australian crime drama set in the crocodile-infested wilderness of Far North Queensland. Yolanda Ramke has expertly adapted Candice Fox’s bestselling novel, weaving sharp humour into a gripping story that we anticipate will engage audiences here and internationally.”

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich says, “From the South East through to the lush tropical rainforests of the Far North, Queensland will star alongside Thomas Jane in this Australian-made crime series, which is supported by the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, creating 130 jobs for local cast, crew and extras.”

Troppo will film later this year and premiere on ABC and ABC iview in 2022.