Production begins on The Narrow Road to the Deep North

A top shelf-cast has been assembled for a new Australian drama, The Narrow Road to the Deep North for Prime Video.

Ciarán Hinds (Belfast), Odessa Young (Mothering Sunday) join Jacob Elordi (Euphoria) in the TV adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name.

Also featuring are Olivia DeJonge (Elvis), Heather Mitchell (Love Me, Jones Family Christmas), Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High, RFDS), Show Kasamatsu (Tokyo Vice), Charles An (Pacific Rim: Uprising) and Simon Baker (Limbo).

Production on the new 5-part drama series has begun today in Australia.

Jacob Elordi undertakes the lead role of the younger Dorrigo Evans in the 1940s.

Young will portray Amy Mulvaney, DeJonge will portray younger Ella and Baker will portray Keith. Fast-forward ingto the 1980s, the series will feature Hinds as the older Dorrigo and Mitchell as older Ella. Weatherall will portray Frank Gardiner, Kasamatsu will portray Major Nakamura and Charles An will portray The Goanna.

Ciarán Hinds, Jacob Elordi, Odessa Young

Set against the shadows of World War II, The Narrow Road to the Deep North tells the epic story of Lieutenant Dorrigo Evans, and how his all-too-brief love affair with Amy Mulvaney shaped his life. The story is told over multiple time periods, as we journey from Evans’ childhood to his experience as a prisoner-of-war on the Thailand-Burma Railway as a young man, and later in life, as a respected surgeon and Australian war hero.

According to a release, the series is a love story to sustain audiences through the darkest of times, an intimate character study illustrating the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and an investigation into a marriage and an unforgettable love affair.

The series is produced by Curio Pictures in Australia with executive producers Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner. The series is adapted by writer Shaun Grant and directed by Justin Kurzel. Alexandra Taussig is producing.

“Curio is incredibly proud to be producing The Narrow Road to the Deep North. The power of the storytelling, which began with Richard Flanagan’s seminal novel; the brilliance of the creative team, led by Justin Kurzel and Shaun Grant; and our breathtakingly accomplished cast will make this a landmark production for Australian television and a sweeping story to be embraced by audiences around the world,” said Curio Pictures’ Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner.

“With talents like Jacob Elordi, Ciarán Hinds and Odessa Young at the helm, The Narrow Road to the Deep North promises to be a cinematic, visceral, and undeniable contemporary love story, which explores the power of mateship and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity,” said Sarah Christie, senior development executive at Amazon MGM Studios. “We just know that this series is going to resonate with customers in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and are proud to be partnering with Curio Pictures’ Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner, who will bring this incredible story to life alongside the award-winning director and executive producer Justin Kurzel, and writer and executive producer Shaun Grant.”

Screen Australia Head of Content Grainne Brunsdon, “Shaun Grant and Justin Kurzel have created an epic war drama from Richard Flanagan’s novel, steeped in love and transformational power. Full of grandeur and richness, this series brings to life the horror and realities of war and imprisonment – and is destined to engage audiences worldwide as a result.”

Head of Screen NSW, Kyas Hepworth said, “Screen NSW is excited to support Curio Pictures in their adaptation of the Booker-Prize winning novel, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, and secure this production for the state through our Made in NSW and PDV funds. The Narrow Road to the Deep North is led by a strong cast and crew, and I look forward to seeing the series hit our screens on Prime Video in the near future.”

Principal production funding is provided by Screen Australia, with assistance from the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW and PDV Funds.

Source: Deadline