Hot on the heels of Liam Neeson’s latest action movie The Mongoose – filming is underway on yet another blockbuster in regional Victoria – backed by the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today announced the new thriller TV series The Dispatcher, an adaptation of Ryan David Jan’s novel, has started production in Victoria – creating hundreds of jobs and showcasing our state to the world.
The Dispatcher will create 730 local jobs, including 400 crew, 330 cast and extras and 15 opportunities for up-and-coming screen workers.
The production will also engage 220 local businesses and inject over $45 million directly into the Victorian economy.
Most filming will take place in the Yarra Valley, the Mornington Peninsula and Warrnambool – and will showcase our beautiful scenery to a global audience.
Part of the production will also be filmed at the world-class screen facilities at Docklands Studios Melbourne.
Award-winning actor Patrick Brammall (Colin From Accounts, Evil) stars as a police detective who is searching for his young daughter.
The cast also includes BAFTA Award nominee Maxine Peake (Say Nothing, Black Mirror), Brendan Cowell (Dune: Prophecy, Plum), Daniel Henshall (Mickey 17, How to Make Gravy), Jessica Wren (Mr. Inbetween, Return to Devil’s Playground), Zahra Newman (Thirteen Lives, Addition) and newcomer Chloe Geisker.
Emmy® award nominated executive producer Christian Schwochow (The Crown, Munich: The Edge of War) directs the six-part series, with Victorian award-winner Kris Mrksa (Protection, No Escape, The Murders at White House Farm) as lead writer and executive producer.
The series is executive produced by Jamie Laurenson and Hakan Kousetta from 60Forty Films (Slow Horses, Hijack), with executive producers Schwochow, Mrksa and Joanna Werner of Werner Film Productions. They are joined by producer Katharina Haase, co-producer Stuart Menzies and line producer Amanda Crittenden.
The Dispatcher is the latest in Victoria’s growing pipeline of screen productions including ABC children’s series Knee High Spies and The Mongoose, which was also filmed in regional Victoria. Other recent productions include drama series Love Divided By Eleven (Stan), The Family Next Door (ABC) and horror film Saccharine.
The Dispatcher is supported by the Labor Government through the Victorian Screen Incentive and the Australian Government through the Location Offset administered by Screen Australia.
