Netflix & Australia’s ABC Co-Commission Political Thriller

Screentime has been commissioned by Netflix and Australia’s ABC to produce a six-hour international political thriller, Pine Gap.

Screentime, a Banijay Group company, will start preproduction on Pine Gap in Adelaide in November. The series will film across multiple locations in South Australia and the Northern Territory in 2018. Created by showrunner Greg Haddrick and co-writer Felicity Packard, the drama is set in and around the enigmatic U.S./Australia joint defense facility situated in central Australia.

Pine Gap is being done with support from the South Australian Film Corporation and the South Australian State Government.

Executive Chairman of Screentime Bob Campbell said, “Screentime is delighted that Netflix and the ABC have come together to commission this production that has been in development by the Screentime drama team for a number of years.”

Haddrick said: “A compelling work of fiction inspired by modern geo political tensions, we are delighted to be working with Netflix and the ABC to produce an original concept for a worldwide audience.”

“Greg Haddrick is a magnificent voice in television in Australia and around the world,” said Elizabeth Bradley, Netflix’s VP of content. “We can’t wait for Greg to bring Pine Gap’s story of secrecy and deceit to Netflix members around the world.”

The ABC’s director of television, David Anderson, said: “Pine Gap is shrouded in intrigue for many Australians. It’s the perfect anchor, and a timely subject, for an Australian drama that can resonate both locally and with a global audience. This partnership enables a high-end Australian drama to be produced for all Australians, and for locally produced content to be delivered to an international audience. We look forward to working with all our partners on this new venture.”

South Australia’s Minister for the Arts, Jack Snelling, said: “Having an original series in production from global streaming giant Netflix in South Australia is testament to the strength of the screen sector here. Pine Gap brings with it a multi-million-dollar investment in the State and significant job and career opportunities for our world-class crews, with nearly 100 local crew joining this production. Production of Pine Gap will take advantage of the wide range of exceptional locations South Australia has to offer.”

The South Australian Film Corporation’s CEO, Annabelle Sheehan, commented: “SAFC welcomes the opportunities which come with a series of this caliber, including further developing our amazing South Australian crew. Pine Gap strengthens the relationship between South Australia and the massive Netflix audience projecting our State around the world. SAFC is also so pleased to have Screentime stay on in South Australia, transitioning from post-production on Wolf Creek season two into Pine Gap preproduction and shoot.”