By Tyler Wright
Film crews have been spotted around Olinda as filming for police TV drama High Country continues throughout Victoria.
It’s understood Parks Victoria approved filming at the former Olinda Golf Course (Olinda Precinct) on Monday 12 June between 9am to 5pm, following a permit application from Brokenridge Productions.
“That would explain the sign that said “HC” this way at the pool!” social media user Jennifer Melford wrote on Facebook.
“… I just thought it was roadworks,” commenter John Raymond added.
In a statement released on 11 April 2023, the Foxtel Group and Screen Australia announced filming for the new original eight-part mystery thriller would begin in the state that month.
“High Country will be set and filmed in a region of Victoria rarely captured on screen with the epic, ancient landscape of conflicting mythologies and stark contrasts set to become a character itself,” the statement read.
The series will star Leah Purcell AM (The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, Wentworth), Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road, Jack Irish), Sara Wiseman (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, A Place to Call Home) and Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls).
“When detective Andrea (Andie) Whitford (Leah Purcell) is transferred to the Victorian High Country, she is thrust into a baffling mystery of five missing persons who have vanished into the wilderness. Through an edge-of-the-seat, high-stakes investigation, Andie uncovers a complex web involving murder, deceit and revenge,” production’s statement said.
Foxtel Group Chief Content and Commercial Officer Amanda Laing said “High Country is inspired by the cultures, identities and landscapes of the Victorian Alps – a setting rarely seen on screen”.
“Foxtel Group remains committed to investing in high-quality Australian content and are thrilled to partner with Screen Australia, VicScreen and Curio Pictures on High Country so viewers in Australia and around the world can enjoy this authentically Australian story – filled with twists and turns, mystery and an undeniable sense of place,” Ms Laing said.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said the body is “proud to support this exceptionally strong creative team to bring to life a fast-paced thriller with complex, real characters and a well-crafted script that will keep viewers hooked”.
“Set against the vast, majestic landscape of the Victorian Alps and weaving in First Nations cultural stories, High Country is sure to be a landmark television series,” Mr Mason said.
According to Victoria’s Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos, High Country is another coup for Victoria’s “booming screen industry”.
“The production will create jobs for 250 Victorians and inject close to $15 million into our economy, all while telling a story set against the beauty of our alpine region,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“We are thrilled to welcome this production to Victoria and can’t wait for the series to hit our screens.”
High Country will air on Foxtel and Binge.
