by FilmInk Staff
BINGE and Screenwest today announced Season 3 of the critically acclaimed and award-winning series, The Twelve, has been commissioned and is now in production in Western Australia.
The Twelve has captivated audiences with its unique premise of focusing on twelve jurors as they wrestle with their duty to deliver a verdict while navigating their own personal issues. Sam Neill will return to the anthology series to reprise his role of Brett Colby SC, as the lives of the jury unravel throughout a cold case murder trial.
Season 2 was the biggest-ever production to take place in WA, as well as being the first series to kick off the WA Production Attraction Incentive (WAPAI). Following the incredible success of seasons 1 and 2, season 3 will be set in the Margaret River region and Perth surrounds, including Parliament House and the ABC Studios.
BINGE, Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia and Easy Tiger’s partnership with Screenwest delivered $9.6m to the WA economy and created more than 650 jobs as part of The Twelve season 2. With the continued partnership it is anticipated that season 3 will deliver a $10m injection into the WA economy and provide a similar number of jobs.
Seasons 1 and 2 launched to critical reviews, with the first season receiving 10 nominations, and winning three AACTA Awards in 2022, including Best Miniseries. Season 1 was also the most nominated drama series at the 63rd TV Week Logie Awards winning three TV Week Logie Awards including Most Outstanding Drama. The Australian series has been sold to multiple territories around the world.
With a run of 8 x 1-hour episodes, season 3 of The Twelve is written by Sarah L. Walker, Matt Cameron, Mia Lethbridge, Adele Vuko and Sam Meikle. The series will be set up directed by Madeleine Gottlieb (Erotic Stories, Latecomers) and Mark Joffe (Jack Irish), with casting by Kirsty McGregor and Will Pearce. The producers are Hamish Lewis and Michael Brooks for Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia (WBITVPA) and Ally Henville, Ian Collie and Rob Gibson for Easy Tiger, along with Executive Producers Sarah L. Walker, Sam Neill, Alison Hurbert-Burns and Penny Win.
Alison Hurbert-Burns, Commissioner & Executive Director, Entertainment Content, Foxtel Group said: “The Twelve has been a favourite of FOXTEL and BINGE audiences and following that success we’re thrilled to commission a third season of this premium award-winning drama. After such a good experience filming The Twelve season 2 in WA last year, it’s great to be back and this time, taking audiences to Margaret River and Western Australia’s dramatic South West coast.
“I’d like to thank Screenwest and the Western Australian Government for their continuing support of the production of premium Australian drama here in WA and also thank our partners at Warner Bros and Easy Tiger for the creative endeavour they bring to The Twelve.”
Michael Brooks, Managing Director of Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia and General Manager, ANZ for Warner Bros. Discovery said: “It’s been fantastic to see seasons 1 and 2 of The Twelve take off with both Australian and global audiences, showcasing not only our beautiful country, but also the depth of our local screen production talent. On behalf of our production partners, Easy Tiger, we are grateful to Screenwest, BINGE and the Western Australian Government for their continued support.”
Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO said: “We are thrilled to welcome The Twelve back to Western Australia for Season 3. We’ve forged a great partnership with BINGE, Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia and Easy Tiger and look forward to working with them again. We can’t wait to see Brett Colby SC on the ground in Margaret River this time, and showcase our talented cast, crew and beautiful South West on screen.”
Hon David Templeman, Minister for Culture and the Arts said: “I am delighted that The Twelve will be returning to screens for season 3 and that filming will once again be in our great state.
“The legacy of the production returning to WA for another season enables continuity of work for WA screen practitioners, and more opportunities for people establishing a career in film to pursue opportunities in their home state.
“Western Australia has a reputation for supporting outstanding screen content that utilises the variety of locations and character of our state found across nine distinct regions and the metropolitan area.”
The Twelve has been commissioned by Foxtel Group and will be overseen by Head of Scripted, Lana Greenhalgh. The series will be produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia and Easy Tiger with major production investment from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive and will be distributed globally by Fifth Season.