Abacus Media Rights (AMR), an Amcomri Entertainment company, has pre-sold Stan Original drama series Scrublands, from production company Easy Tiger, to popular streamer Sundance Now for the USA and English-speaking Canada. 

Based on the award-winning, best-selling crime novel by Chris Hammer, Scrublands, which recently wrapped principal photography in Victoria, stars award-winning actors Luke Arnold (Black Sails, Nautilus), Jay Ryan (It Chapter Two, Top of the Lake) and Bella Heathcote (The Neon Demon, Pieces of Her). 

Stan and Nine Network co-commissioned drama Scrublands is set in an isolated country town, where a charismatic and dedicated young priest Byron Swift (Jay Ryan) calmly opens fire on his congregation, killing five parishioners. One year later investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold) arrives in Riversend to write what should be a simple feature story on the anniversary of the tragedy. But when Martin’s instincts kick in and he digs beneath the surface, the previously accepted narrative begins to fall apart, and he finds himself in a life and death race to uncover the truth. 

Jonathan Ford, Managing Director at AMR comments, “We are delighted that Scrublands will be available to North American audiences through Sundance Now – a roller coaster of a drama based on Chris Hammer’s best-seller. The look and feel of the series, set in the uncompromising landscape of Australia, makes for an intense and mesmerising thriller which we know will captivate viewers.” 

Shannon Cooper, Vice President, Programming, Sundance Now shares: “Scrublands exudes the perfect collection of intrigue, mystery and adventure, laced within a character-driven story, that Sundance Now’s astute audience appreciates and craves. We’re excited to share the series with our North American viewers.” 

The cast also includes Robert Taylor (Longmire), Zane Ciarma (Neighbours), Adam Zwar (Squinters), Victoria Thaine (Nowhere Boys), Stacy Clausen (True Spirit), Genevieve Morris (The Stan Original Series No Activity) and newcomer Ella Ferris. 

Scrublands is directed by Greg McLean, written by Felicity Packard, Kelsey Munro and Jock Serong and produced by Easy Tiger’s Ian Collie and Rob Gibson along with David Redman and Felicity Packard. Executive Producers for the series are Michael Healy and Andy Ryan from the Nine Network and Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie for Stan. Developed and produced with the support of VicScreen.