The Northern Territory will be front and centre on the global stage with a new six-part Netflix series underway.
Desert King (working title) is an explosive drama about power, family, land and legacy and is the largest screen production ever filmed in the Northern Territory.
Filming was secured in the NT through Screen Territory’s Production Attraction Incentive Program, which contributed $1.3 million to the production.
The series will be released worldwide on Netflix to over 238 million paid members in over 190 countries.
Desert King will contribute significantly to the local economy through employment, goods and services during filming.
In the lead up to production, Netflix provided additional funding towards a First Nations 'Production Ready' training program to upskill up to 10 First Nations screen practitioners for potential crew roles during the filming of this series.
Desert King is produced by award winning executive producers Ben Davies (Bondi Rescue) and Ian Collie and Rob Gibson (Colin from Accounts) and producer Paul Ranford (Mad Max Fury Road).
Created by Tim Lee and Ben Davies (Mystery Road) and acclaimed Australian Director Greg McLean (Wolf Creek).
The series is a joint production between Australian production companies Easy Tiger Production who are behind the hit series Colin from Accounts and Jack Irish and Ronde who is best known for their work on Outback Ringer and The First Inventors.
Emerging Territory Aboriginal filmmakers Samantha Laughton (Eastern Arrernte) along with Cian McCue (Larrakia) have both been engaged as Associate Producers on the series.
The series has also attracted some of the best Australian crew in the world to work on the series including Cinematographer Simon Duggan ASC ACS (The Great Gatsby) and Art Director Tuesday Stone (Elvis).
Meanwhile, the 2023-24 Screen Territory Funding Program is officially open today, with funding available to support local screen practitioners in story development, games development, industry partnerships, travel and career development and production finance.
The Screen Territory Funding Program fosters the development and production of Territory screen stories and enhances the creative and professional skills of Northern Territory screen practitioners.
The Production Attraction Incentive Program also opens today which is designed to attract large budget interstate and international productions to film in the NT, just like Desert King.
For more information including the 2023-24 Screen Territory Funding Program guidelines visit screenterritory.nt.gov.au or to apply for a grant go to grantsnt.nt.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles
“Screen Territory has provided $1.3 million in production finance, through the Screen Territory Production Attraction Incentive Program, which will result in a significant direct spend to the Territory economy across local employment and use of goods and services.
“The series will also promote visitation to the Territory as it showcases the natural beauty of our region to 238 million subscribers globally on Netflix.
“The Northern Territory Government understands the importance of growing a vibrant and versatile screen industry, which will provide more jobs, upskilling, training and opportunities for Territorians.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry, Nicole Manison
“Desert King represents the largest screen production ever seen in the Northern Territory and brings the best and brightest in the Australian screen industry to our backyard.
“Filming in some of the most iconic locations and landscapes accords across the Top End, the production will be an amazing economic driver with accommodation booked out and local businesses reaping the benefits.
“The Screen Territory Funding Program continues to assist in strengthening and expanding opportunities for our Territory screen sector, we are attracting big budget productions and providing even more opportunities to grow the industry.”
Quotes attributable to Screen Territory Director, Jennie Hughes
“We are thrilled to be working again with Ben Davies of Ronde who has a long history with the NT through productions such as Outback Ringer and The First Inventors.
“We are also delighted to welcome the Easy Tiger team to the NT and have the opportunity to work with one of the best production companies in Australia.
“The Territory has a vast and unique landscape which comes to life during productions such as Desert King, we are fortunate we could utilise the Production Attraction Incentive Program to secure this exciting and ambitious Netflix production for the Northern Territory.”
