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The Tourist set to film in South Australia
05 December 2020
Filming of a new mystery thriller series, The Tourist, will commence in South Australia in autumn 2021, with $3.6 million in support from the Morrison Government’s Location Incentive program.
The announcement was made in Adelaide today by Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and the Hon Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia.
The Tourist, a co-production for BBC One and Stan, and produced by Two Brothers Pictures in association with Highview Productions, is a six-part drama series following a man who, after losing his memory, is on a quest to unlock the secrets of his identity before those who are trying to kill him catch up with him. Filming is expected to take place predominantly in regional areas of South Australia, with filming also planned for Adelaide, with significant benefits flowing to regional economies.
Minister Fletcher said the production is expected to generate more than $25 million in expenditure in Australia.
“The Tourist is a great opportunity for South Australia – the first Location Incentive production to locate to the state, bringing international attention to South Australia as a world class production destination,” he said.
“The production will bring with it a significant level of activity, directly employing more than 270 Australian cast and crew and nearly 850 extras, injecting millions into the South Australian economy.”
Premier Steven Marshall said the 17-week shoot will be the biggest television production ever to be made in South Australia and will create over 120 jobs for local cast and crew.
“Securing The Tourist is a real coup for South Australia – not only will it create hundreds of local jobs, it will put South Australia’s remarkable landscape on show right around the world,” Premier Marshall said.
“The Tourist will inject an estimated $12.1 million into our local economy and provide opportunities to showcase the skills of our local crew here in SA.
“I commend the extraordinary capability of South Australian Producer Lisa Scott in bringing this international BBC and Stan production to our State.”
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the support of the State and Federal Governments was vital in securing this valuable production for South Australia.
“The Tourist will be the largest stand-alone television production made in South Australia and have the biggest budget of any television production made here,” said Minister Pisoni.
Lisa Scott, producer on The Tourist, said, “We are delighted to bring this large-scale production to South Australia with the incredible support from the Federal and State Governments. The extraordinary landscape of the Flinders Ranges, which are the lands of the Adnyamathanha people, is some of the oldest country in the world and will be an essential part of The Tourist.”
Harry and Jack William, Writers and Managing Directors of Two Brothers Pictures said, “The Tourist is a departure from anything we’ve written before. It isn’t an easy show to categorise – so we won’t. We are, however, hugely excited to have Chris Sweeney on board as director, and to be making this for the BBC and Stan. We’re thankful for their support of this ambitious project.”
Stan CEO Mike Sneesby said, “Stan is pleased to be working with BBC, Two Brothers Pictures and Highview Productions on this world class local production. We are grateful for the support of the Australian Government and the South Australian Film Corporation whose assistance has been critical for the development of this significant international project.”
The services of around 75 businesses will also be used across regional South Australia in a broad range of sectors, including post-production, construction, transport, lighting, accommodation and costume.
The Tourist is supported under the Australian Government’s $400 million boost to the Location Incentive to create a pipeline of international projects, which will generate tens of thousands of Australian jobs in the screen industry over the next seven years.
For more information on the Location Incentive Program please visit: www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/screen/australian-screen-production-incentive.
The Tourist is a Two Brothers Pictures (an all3media company) production for the BBC, in association with, Highview Productions, all3media international, the South Australian Film Corporation and Stan. The 6×60 drama has been written by Harry and Jack Williams (Baptiste, The Widow, The Missing), who alongside Christopher Aird (Baptiste, Liar, Cheat) and Andrew Benson will serve as executive producers, for Two Brothers Pictures and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC. Lisa Scott (A Sunburnt Christmas, The Hunting) will produce and Chris Sweeney (Back To Life, Liar) will direct. International sales will be handled by all3media international.