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First Look: Scrublands season two filmed in Augusta WA last year and will air on April 17 on Stan

Clare RigdenThe West Australian
Scrublands: Silver, which filmed last year in Augusta, is coming to Stan on April 17. Pictured: Bella Heathcote and Luke Arnold.
Camera IconScrublands: Silver, which filmed last year in Augusta, is coming to Stan on April 17. Pictured: Bella Heathcote and Luke Arnold. Credit: David Dare Parker/Photograph by David Dare Parker

The second season of Scrublands, which filmed last year in Augusta, will finally hit screens on April 17.

Cast and crew, who relocated to WA’s South West for filming last year, said they thoroughly enjoyed their time based in the coastal hamlet.

“Filming Scrublands: Silver in WA was a joy from start to finish, both from a production and an aesthetic point of view,” Martha Coleman, producer of Scrublands: Silver said.

“The West Australian crew was exceptional and almost all heads of department were local.

“The locations we used were outstandingly beautiful — even in winter — showing a different West Australian ‘look’.

“Our interstate cast loved being in Augusta and made good friends with the locals — our experience filming in WA was brilliant.”

The Stan series, which stars Luke Arnold (Black Sails) and Bella Heathcote (Pieces of Her), is based on the best-selling novel Silver by Chris Hammer, a sequel to his acclaimed novel, Scrublands, which was adapted for television.

Season two sees Arnold reprise his role as investigative journalist Martin Scarsden, with Heathcote once again playing his love interest, Mandy.

Scrublands: Silver crew on location in Augusta.
Camera IconScrublands: Silver crew on location in Augusta. Credit: David Dare Parker/Photograph by David Dare Parker

In the story, the couple travel to Martin’s hometown of Port Silver, where they are dragged into an unfolding murder investigation — Augusta doubles for the sleepy town.

Arnold, who temporarily relocated to Western Australia for several months last year, said he thoroughly enjoyed his experience living and working in the coastal town.

“We all really fell in love with (Augusta),” he said.

“We were welcomed so warmly by the town, who of course then all got involved, either hosting us, or being extras, or doing stuff for the show.

“It just couldn’t have gotten any better, really.”

Scrublands: Silver is coming to Stan on April 17.
Camera IconScrublands: Silver is coming to Stan on April 17. Credit: David Dare Parker/Photograph by David Dare Parker

The second season of Scrublands plays out as a stand-alone story and takes place a year on from the horrific events of season one.

“It’s been a year since the life changing events of Scrublands and award-winning investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Arnold) has returned to his coastal hometown, Port Silver, to set up a new life with partner Mandy Bond (Heathcote),” an official logline reads.

“When he arrives to find his childhood friend Jasper brutally murdered and Mandy the prime suspect, Martin struggles with doubts — about Mandy and about his own ability to recognise the truth.”

Joining Arnold and Heathcote is a stellar cast, which includes Luke Carroll, Debra Lawrance, David Roberts and Tasma Walton.

Tasma Walton is one of many guest stars.
Camera IconTasma Walton is one of many guest stars. Credit: David Dare Parker/Photograph by David Dare Parker

Luke Pegler, Caroline Brazier, Joel Jackson, Toby Truslove and Damian De Montemas also star.

The series was brought to Western Australia with the help of Screenwest, Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund, with a $1.6 million investment from the Cook government.

According to Screenwest, the investment resulted in over $5 million WA expenditure, including over $2 million regional expenditure, creating 140 jobs for Western Australians.

Scrublands: Silver premieres Thursday April 17 on Stan.

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