New television series will film in the Kimberley and create local jobs

Aaron Pedersen and Judy Davis will star in the series Mystery Road, which is scheduled to start filming in the Kimberley next month.

The six-part mystery is a spin-off from Ivan Sven's internationally acclaimed and award winning feature films Mystery Road and Goldstone.

The fascinating story focuses on the mysterious disappearance of two young station hands on an outback cattle station.  One of the young men is a local indigenous footy hero and the other a backpacker.

Detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen) is assigned to investigate, and working with local cop, Emma James (Judy Davis), uncovers a past injustice that threatens the fabric of the whole community.

The series is produced by Bunya Productions for ABC with funding support from Screenwest, the State Government's Western Australian Regional Film Fund; Screen Australia; and Create NSW.

Comments attributed to Acting Culture and the Arts Minister Bill Johnston:

"This is a fantastic opportunity for WA's screen industry, and will provide substantial employment opportunities to local creatives and crew to work with some of the strongest producers in Australia.

"The series, set to premiere on the ABC in 2018, has a strong connection to the Kimberley.  It will showcase to Australia and the rest of the world the quality of Western Australian stories and our unique landscape."

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

"There is no mystery about the benefits of the Western Australian Regional Film Fund.

"Mystery Road's extensive regional WA spend will drive new business for local companies, while the series itself will bring the spectacular East Kimberley region into homes across Australia and internationally."