Upcoming ABC drama, Bay of Fires, will showcase Tasmania to the world and will be the ‘next big thing’ according to ABC managing director David Anderson.

Speaking last week to the Senate Estimates committee, Anderson said the miniseries would follow on from Rosehaven as key production for both the state and broadcaster.

“It’s got Marta Dusseldorp involved, Andrew Knight, Greg Sitch, and it’s a winning concept,” he said. “This will be the next big thing… it’ll be a real hit and it will showcase regional Tasmania. It came from a bit of extra investment from the Tasmanian Government, (and) a lot of other investment from other places. It means some $16 million in production can happen there and it will have benefits in Tasmania as well as showcase Tasmania to the rest of the country and it will probably travel overseas.”

Set in the wilds of Tasmania, the series centres around Stella Heikkinen (Dusseldorp) whose fall from grace is as spectacular as it is life threatening. Betrayed by her own company and in immediate danger – single mother of two Stella has no option but to move her young family to the last place on earth anyone would expect. This town isn’t the kind of place they put on postcards, this is a tiny community rife with simmering feuds, crime and sometimes, murder.

Filming will commence in Tasmania in mid-2022 and it will air in 2023.

Production credit: Bay of Fires is an Archipelago Productions and Fremantle production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC and Screen Tasmania. Financed with support from Film Victoria.