Scrublands: Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote and Jay Ryan star Stan And Nine Network drama series, based on the novel by Chris Hammer

EXCLUSIVE: Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote and Jay Ryan will star woodsA TV adaptation of Chris Hammer’s novel for Australian streamer Stan.

We’ve learned that production of the crime series is underway in Victoria, Australia, a co-committee of the Nine Network and its streamer Stan. Easy Tiger, which acquired the rights to the story in 2018, is producing in partnership with VicScreen.

woods In the remote rural town of Riversend, brought to its knees by endless drought, a charismatic and devoted young priest (Jay Ryan) calmly opens fire on his congregation, killing five parishioners in the process. A year later, investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold) arrives to commemorate the anniversary of the tragedy by writing what was supposed to be a simple lead story, but as his instincts kick in and he digs beneath the surface, the previously accepted narrative of falling apart… falls and he finds himself in a race to the death to discover the truth.

Zane Ciarma (Neighbors), Adam Black (squint), Victoria Thaine (Nowhere boys), Robert Taylor (The news reader), Stacy Clausen (true spirit), Genevieve Morris (No activity) and newcomer Ella Ferris were also cast.

Greg McLean is directing and Felicity Packard, Kelsey Munro and Jock Serong are writing. East Tiger’s Ian Collie and Rob Gibson, David Redman and Packard are producing and Nine Network’s Michael Healy and Andy Ryan and Stan’s Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie are executive producers.

Jack Irish And rake The producer Easy Tiger takes over the production and the British distributor Abacus Media Rights the international distribution.

The series is the second collaboration between Nine Network and Stan Bali 2002Explore how everyday heroes from Bali, Australia and elsewhere defied the odds of the devastating tsunami to bring order and hope.

“After the great success of Bali 2002Stan is delighted to be tasked with The Nine Network once again. woods promises to be a powerful and gripping crime thriller. Easy Tiger, a remarkable crime series set in Australia’s unforgiving and harsh landscape, has secured an outstanding cast of Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote and Jay Ryan and we look forward to working with them woods.”

“We are joining forces with the Stan and Easy Tiger teams woods has realized an ambition we’ve had since the release of Chris Hammer’s novel in 2018,” said Micheal Healy, director of television at Nine. “We are confident that the creative team, led by director Greg McLean and lead writer Felicity Packard, will adapt woods in a must-see television drama for a global audience.”

Easy Tiger founder Ian Collie and CEO Rob Gibson added: “From the moment we opened Chris Hammer’s captivating page turner, we knew woods was destined to be a must-see crime series.”

Abacus heads to London TV shows this week and founder and managing director Jonathan Ford said: “Stan has once again co-commissioned an ambitious and compelling thriller which, after opening in Australia, we’re delighted to be bringing to the to bring international market. Not only woods has all the makings of a successful drama — a great script, relatable characters and a strong cast — as it is based on a best-selling crime thriller, The woods Franchise is already known around the world and we can’t wait to bring this range to our customers.”

Luke Arnold is repped by Lisa Mann Creative Management and The Gersh Agency. Bella Heathcote is represented by Brian Medavoy at More/Medavoy Management and Joanna Milosz at JM Agency. Jay Ryan is repped by IMC and UTA.