Mission Beach in Queensland has been chosen as the set location for the production of Netflix’s 10-part crime drama Irreverent.
The television series is about an American crook who hides out in a small Australian reef community, posing as a reverend.
Que Minh Luu, Netflix director of content for ANZ said the local setting was an important part of the drama series.
“We’re thrilled to work with NBCUniversal International Studios and Matchbox on bringing this premium drama series to life for our ANZ Netflix members,” Luu said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the series was a wonderful example of content filmed in Queensland for a global audience. The drama will be streamed exclusively to local audiences via Netflix and on Peacock for worldwide audiences.
“This is one of the three landmark Universal Studios Group productions lured by the state government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy in 2020,” Palaszczuk said.
“Securing these three productions is a critical part of Queensland’s economic recovery, contributing hundreds of millions to the local economy and importantly creating thousands of local jobs.”
The federal government’s Location Incentive Program supported local filming of the series. The program, which is contributing $540 million towards the overall program will generate more than $1.89 billion in expenditure into the Australian economy, federal minster for communications, urban infrastructure, cities and the arts Paul Fletcher said.
CEO of Screen Queensland, Kylie Munnich said there was nowhere else in the world like Far North Queensland and that the area was attractive to screen makers domestically and abroad.
“The tropical north creates a tense and exotic atmosphere for drama, and the story of Irreverent, set in a small reef community, is a perfect fit for Mission Beach.
“This production, together with other recent dramas including The Steve Jaggi Company’s Dive Club filmed in Port Douglas, underscores the region’s expansion as a screen hub, with the new Screen Queensland Cairns studio set to be operational by early 2022.”
Local MP Curtis Pitt said he was looking forward to the series showcasing the beauty of the region. The diversity of local backdrops made it an ideal shooting location for procedures, he added.
“The natural beauty of Queensland’s Far North will be streamed into living rooms across the world, affirming the region’s status not only as a production paradise but also as a bucket-list destination for future travel,” Pitt said.
“Having productions like Irreverent film here, not only boosts the local economy and creates local jobs, but it shows off our spectacular region.”
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