Sean Penn: Hollywood A-lister on northern beaches to film 6-part TV series

A two-time Academy Award winning Hollywood superstar is on the northern beaches to shoot a new Australian-produced TV series. Have you spotted him yet?

US actor and director Sean Penn, seen here with his daughter, actor Dylan Penn at Cannes Film Festival in France. Penn is in Sydney to shoot scenes for a new Australian produced TV series. (Pictre: LOIC VENANCE / AFP)

Hollywood has come to the northern beaches.

Acting superstar, Sean Penn, is here to film a TV series around Terrey Hills and Duffys Forest.

Penn, a two-time Academy Award winner and global human rights activist, is starring in the six-part dark comedy, C*A*U*G*H*T.

It is directed by Australian actor Kick Gurry — who also wrote, produced and will act in the series described as a “dark comedy”.

US actor, director and human right activist is starring in a new made for TV series, part f which is being filmed on the northern beaches. Picture: John MacDougall / AFP)

Co-stars include a host of Australian talent including veteran performers Bryan Brown and Erik Thomson alongside Rebecca Breeds, Bella Heathcote and Fayssal Bazzi.

US actor Matthew Fox also has a role.

A makeshift sign, seen on Monday at a site on Booralie Rd, Terrey Hills, associated with the production of a new six-part TV streaming series "C*A*U*G*H*T, starring Sean Penn, being filmed on location in the area. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Space has been set aside in the car park at Terrey Hills Oval and Scout Hall for vehicles associated with the production of C*A*U*G*H*T. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Location filming has already started on a semi-rural property, on Booralie Rd, on the series which, according to promotional material is a satire follows four Australian soldiers sent on a secret mission to a war-torn country. They are captured by freedom fighters, mistaken for Americans and produce a hostage video that goes viral, making them international celebrities.

Sean Penn (centre) has worked in Australia before, on the WWII film 'The Thin Red Line' in 1999. Picture: Supplied.

Penn, 62, who was recently permanently banned from Russia entering Russia for criticising its war on Ukraine, will be playing a fictionalised version of himself.

Locals living along Booralie Rd, near the “unit base” location, have already reported hearing the sounds of machine gun fire.

Actor, director, writer Kick Gurry is also producing the series for a TV streaming service. Picture: Showtime media website.

Production vehicles have been given access to the car park at Terrey Hills Oval and Scout Hall. There was also a letterbox to some locals alerting to times and locations for filming on Booralie Rd.

Bryan Brown. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Erik Thomson. Picture: Nigel Hallett

One local commented that “the gun and machine gun sounds were a bit much”.

“We have a rescue dog, and she was terrified, a little warning would definitely be appreciated.”

Actor Bella Heathcote will appear alongside Sean Penn in the new TV series. Picture Bob Barker

Rebecca Breeds as Clarice Starling in the TV series “Clarice”. Picture: Brooke Palmer/CBS Broadcasting Inc

US actor Matthew Fox will make an appearance in the new series. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

But up at the Terrey Hills shops, no one has seen any sign of Penn, or the other stars yet.

The crew at Expresso Sandwich Cafe were keen to see Penn and his actor mates come in for at toasted sandwich and a coffee for breakfast or a lunchtime burger.

A site on Booralie Rd associated with the production of C*A*U*G*H*T. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“We’ll look after hi. We’ll show him he specials menu,” the boss said.

C*A*U*G*H*T* is scheduled for released in 2023.