Exclusive: New smash hit US television series to be filmed on the Gold Coast after funding deal

A second season of a United States smash teenage television series is to be filmed on the Gold Coast after securing Federal Government funding. FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS

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A SECOND season of a United States smash teenage television series is to be filmed on the Gold Coast after securing federal government funding.

The Bulletin can reveal the Morrison Government will provide $9.8 million to ABC Signature to film the next season of the Amazon Prime Video series The Wilds. Production will start in April.

The Wilds focuses on a group of teenagers which is unexpectedly marooned on a deserted island while en route to a weekend empowerment retreat. It features Australian actor Rachel Griffiths, Mia Healey and Shannon Berry.

The young cast in The Wilds, a now Gold Coast-based drama.

The American drama built up a strong fan base in the first series, describing the plot twist of teens unaware they are the subject of a social experiment as “Lord of the Flies meets Lost”.

Respected critics in the US are writing it up as “the unexpected hit of the season”.

Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Minister Paul Fletcher MP said the production was expected to bring investment of more than $73 million to the Australian economy and create more than 270 jobs for cast and crew.

“A major benefit of international productions filming in Australia is building capacity in areas of skills shortages for our screen industry. I’m pleased that ABC Signature has committed to undertake training and development opportunities for Australian crew — both for those who live in Queensland and across Australia,” he said.

“We have a world-class film industry, extremely diverse filming locations, outstanding studio facilities, and a careful management of COVID-19 risks. These factors have cemented Australia as an attractive destination for international studios to film their productions.”

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.

The teenage drama The Wilds, now based on the Gold Coast.

“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.”

Albert Cheng, COO and Co-Head of Television at Amazon Studios, has talked up the Coast locations and the crew.

“Queensland is the ideal location for season two of The Wilds, with its beautiful scenery and beaches, plus the deep pool of incredibly knowledgeable and skilled craftsmen and crew who are so vital for our production with ABC Signature. We can’t wait to get started,” he said.

ABC Signature president Jonnie Davis told the Bulletin: “We couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting — the beaches, the terrain, the incredible talent both in front of and behind the camera will truly add to the exciting story we’re telling with this series.”

Action shot from the now Gold Coast-based drama The Wilds, an American production.

The filming of The Wilds on the Gold Coast is supported under the Commonwealth’s $400 million boost to the Location Incentive to create a pipeline of international projects which will generate tens of thousands of Australian jobs in the screen industry in the next few years.

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