Dynamic Television Picks Up Rights to Savage River

Dynamic Television has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Aquarius Films’ new crime drama Savage River.

The series follows a woman who returns to her rural hometown after eight years in prison, only to become the center of suspicion when a murder rocks the town. Jocelyn Moorhouse (Wakefield, Stateless, The Dressmaker) directs.

Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the series is co-created by writers Belinda Bradley, Franz Docherty and lead writer Giula Sandler (Murders at White House Farm, Glitch). Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford serve as producers and are also part of the writing team.

Katherine Langford (Thirteen Reasons Why, Cursed, Knives Out) is set to star in the lead role.

Also attached to the project are cinematographer Don McAlpine (The Dressmaker, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Moulin Rouge!, Romeo + Juliet), costume designer Maria Pattison (Berlin Syndrome, Nowhere Boys, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries) and composer David Hirschfelder (Elizabeth, Shine, Strictly Ballroom, The Dressmaker). Koori Dunghutti filmmaker Darlene Johnson is taking on a director/producer role as part of her Sydney Film Festival and Deutsche Bank’s First Nations fellowship.

With major production investment from Screen Australia and financed with support from Film Victoria and The Post Lounge, Savage River is filming entirely in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Daniel March, managing partner for Dynamic Television, said: “Savage River is a superbly written crime drama from immensely talented filmmakers. We’re excited to acquire a series that is sure to be gripping, compelling and will deliver what global audiences crave.”

Moorhouse commented: “I am really excited to be directing Savage River. It’s a compelling and suspenseful mystery, and I look forward to working with the extremely talented Katherine Langford in the lead role of Miki.”

Sally Caplan, head of content at Screen Australia, said: “We’re thrilled to support Belinda Bradley, Franz Docherty and Giula Sandler to create this gripping mystery series, and we look forward to seeing it brought to life by powerhouse director Jocelyn Moorhouse.”

Sally Riley, head of drama, entertainment and Indigenous at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, said: “Savage River is a thrilling and distinctive mystery with unmistakable characters set in a small town near you. Aquarius Films have gathered an exceptionally talented creative team to craft a series that will be unforgettable.”