Media release – ABC, 16 June 2022
Cameras set to light up Tasmania on ABC drama Bay of Fires
Award-winning actress Marta Dusseldorp leads an impressive line-up of established and emerging stars, when filming starts next week in Tasmania, on ABC’s eight-part darkly comedic crime series Bay of Fires, produced by Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia.
Starring alongside Marta is acclaimed actress Kerry Fox (Conversations with Friends), Toby Leonard Moore (Billions), Rachel House (Stateless), Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black), Tony Barry (Harrow), Heather Mitchell (Love Me), Oscar Redding (The Twelve), Bob Franklin (Please Like Me) Kim Ko (Wentworth) and Rhys Muldoon (Les Norton). Rounding out the cast are rising stars Imi Mbedla (Australia’s Got Talent), Ava Caryofyllis (Dirt Music), Ilai Swindells (Retrograde), Mackenzie Grant (The Next Step) and newcomer Mitchem Everett.
ABC’ s Head of Drama, Entertainment and Indigenous Sally Riley says, “Featuring a brilliant cast led by the multi-talented Marta Dusseldorp and the off-kilter humour of Andrew Knight, riveting storylines and filmed against the stunningly beautiful backdrop of Tasmania’s west coast, ABC audiences will be captivated by Bay of Fires.”
Showcasing Tasmania’s rugged west coast, Bay of Fires, tells the story of Stella Heikkinen (Marta Dusseldorp), a single mother of two, who finds herself in a small, remote community. But it’s not the kind of place they put on postcards – it is instead rife with simmering feuds, crime and sometimes, murder.
Co-creator and producer Marta Dusseldorp says, “I’m beyond thrilled to be bringing this series to life in my home state of Tasmania, the cast and creative team we have assembled are extraordinary and I look forward to producing a captivating and an original Tassie noir series.”
The award-winning creative team includes co-creator/writers Andrew Knight (Jack Irish) and Max Dann (Spotswood) with writer Sarah Bassiuoni. Directors Natalie Bailey (Retrograde, The Unusual Suspects) and Wayne Blair (Total Control).
Production credit: Bay of Fires is an Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC and Screen Tasmania, with support from VicScreen. Producers Marta Dusseldorp and Yvonne Collins. Executive Producers Greg Sitch, Andrew Knight and Brett Popplewell. ABC Executive Producers Sally Riley and Louise Smith. Fremantle will distribute the series internationally.
Featured image above: Bay of Fires cast.
Media release – 19 June 2022
Exciting new flagship drama ‘Bay of Fires now underway
In another boost for our growing screen industry, Tasmanian company Archipelago Productions’ first major screen production, Bay of Fires, is about to commence production in Tasmania.
Produced by Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia, the eight-part crime series is expected to be a flagship drama for the ABC when it screens nationally in 2023.
Bay of Fires will be the largest production filmed in regional Tasmania, starring Hobart’s Marta Dusseldorp, who is also the series’ co-creator and producer.
This exciting production marks a homecoming for expatriate Tasmanian actor Toby Leonard Moore who will film his first project in Tasmania since his success with major roles in international shows including Daredevil, Billions, John Wick and Mank.
The Tasmanian Government is thrilled to support local productions like Bay of Fires, enabling actors like Marta and Toby to work in their home State.
Alongside Marta and Toby, the production features an impressive line-up of both established and emerging stars, including acclaimed actress Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black), Kerry Fox (Conversations with Friends), Rachel House (Stateless) and Oscar Redding (The Twelve).
The Tasmanian Government provided $30 000 in Project Development support for the series in July 2020, and we have since provided a further $1.5 million in production support for the project – largely made possible by the extra $3 million provided to Screen Tasmania in our Government’s 2021-22 Budget response to COVID-19, which is being delivered over two years.
Our ongoing commitment to local screen production has enabled our Tasmanian industry to build capacity to develop new stories and service major productions like Bay of Fires, ensuring Tasmania’s unique landscapes, people and wildlife continue to intrigue, engage and entertain audiences globally.
Importantly, it is anticipated that the production will provide 80 cast and crew positions for Tasmanians, and more than $7 million in spending on Tasmanian goods and services, much of it on the west coast.
With Bay of Fires entering production shortly after Amazon series Deadloch has wrapped up, this means that for the first time, Tasmanian crew will have back-to-back work on major international productions in their own state – amounting to 10 months of continual work throughout 2022.
This type of ongoing and consistent production is essential for our industry growth and skills development, and our Government is focused on providing further jobs and opportunities for our screen industry by continuing to attract screen production of the high calibre of Bay of Fires to Tasmania.
