Queensland has secured another major international production, with the second series of the Amazon Original young adult drama, The Wilds, starring Rachel Griffiths, Mia Healey and Shannon Berry, to film primarily on the Gold Coast from April.
The hit drama series, which filmed its first season in New Zealand, is landing on Queensland shores thanks to the Queensland Government's Production Attraction Strategy and is expected to inject $28 million into the state and create around 150 jobs for local crew.
The Wilds, currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, centres around a group of teenage girls from different backgrounds who find themselves marooned on a deserted island, unaware that they are part of a sinister social experiment.
Co-produced by Amazon Studios and ABC Signature Studios, part of Disney Television Studios, The Wilds Season 2 will also engage local production company, Hoodlum Entertainment, as its service company in Australia.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the stream of productions flowing into the state was testament not only to our enviable status as a COVID-safe film destination, but also the depth and talent of local crew.
"Queensland is now experiencing more demand to film world-class film and TV productions here than ever before," the Premier said.
"This means more jobs for Queenslanders, and more investment in our communities and businesses which is critical for our economic recovery.
"The Wilds is expected to inject $28 million into the state and create around 150 jobs for local crew.
"We will continue to support the screen industry because it not only promotes Queensland's spectacular locations and our exceptional talent but it creates a pipeline of industry jobs and not just for cast and crew – but for the jobs in the flow-on industries like catering, set and costume design and trades including construction and electrical.
"Our glorious Gold Coast beaches, doubling for the deserted island setting, will feature strongly in this production, showcasing to the rest of the world the great beauty of our state."
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said the demand to film in Queensland was being driven by a number of factors, over and above the impact of COVID-19 on the global screen industry.
"Although the current boom is attributable in part to the pandemic, it's also given Queensland the chance to really shine, to show what we are made of to the rest of the world.
"International producers, directors and showrunners are here and getting to know us well, to experience the calibre of our crews and the great diversity of our locations first-hand, in a way that bodes well for the long- term growth of our local industry."
Series Executive Producer and Showrunner Amy B. Harris said, "The idea of filming on Australia's Gold Coast was so exciting to me, and the reality of this beautiful place has exceeded all expectations.
"The stunning beaches, talented and skilled crews, and welcoming community make filming here in Queensland a dream come true.
"We can't wait to showcase all these spectacular locales and talent on The Wilds, and seeing kangaroos in the wild has been pretty cool, too."
In January 2021, The Wilds Season 1 was nominated for a GLADD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series.
