by FilmInk Staff
Filming is underway across the Gold Coast, Hinterland and the Whitsunday Islands on the gripping new Netflix adaptation of Shirley Conran’s 1980s survival novel
Netflix has greenlit Feral, a new seven-episode drama series based on Shirley Conran’s best-selling novel, Savages.
Feral is directed by the Gold Coast’s Emma Freeman (Dustfall, Two Years Later, Clickbait) and stars Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer), Genevieve O’Reilly (My Brilliant Career) and Philippa Northeast (My Brilliant Career).
This latest Netflix production to film in Queensland will use the stunning rainforest of the Gold Coast and the islands of The Whitsundays to depict the thrilling, darkly funny story of four very different women, the wives of mining executives, who must learn to survive the jungle—and each other—when their husbands’ shady deals land them all in danger.
Lead cast announced (alphabetical by surname):
- Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey, Godless) will play Julia
- Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer) will play Annie
- Genevieve O’Reilly (Andor, My Brilliant Career) will play Silvana
- Philippa Northeast (My Brilliant Career, Territory) will play Suzy
Additional casting:
- Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed) will play Elena
Synopsis: Feral is a thrilling, darkly funny story of adventure and survival, based on Shirley Conran’s best-selling 1980’s novel, Savages. Four very different women accompany their mining executive husbands on a corporate holiday to a beautiful but lethal tropical island. When the men’s shady deals land them all in danger, the women must learn to survive the jungle – and each other. Can they put aside their differences, self-doubts and vanities to stay alive?
Jude Mack, Writer and Executive Producer, says: “Feral is a wild, messy journey of self-discovery and it’s a complete dream to be carrying Shirley Conran’s torch alongside Hera and Netflix. I can’t wait for people to meet these funny, brutal, bold women. I’m obsessed with them and hope audiences will be too.”
Liza Marshall, Founder of Hera Pictures and Executive Producer, says: “We’re delighted to be working with the incredibly talented Jude Mack to bring Shirley Conran’s best-selling novel to the screen. The extraordinary female characters at the heart of the show will be pushed to extremes, behave deliciously badly and have a whole lot of fun along the way. Emma Freeman is the perfect director to take us on the ride, and Netflix have wholeheartedly embraced the scale and ambition of the show.”
Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek, says: Feral will benefit from Queensland’s renowned crew base and versatile natural environments to bring the series from Hera Pictures, in association with Warner Bros. International Television Production, to life. “The Crisafulli Government is proud to support Feral through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy—a production which will contribute an estimated $38.5 million to the local economy while employing more than 250 cast and crew,” Minister Langbroek said. “Feral will also hire numerous local small businesses in South East Queensland and North Queensland to deliver this latest jungle adventure for a global audience, as well as providing training opportunities through Screen Queensland’s Attachment program.”
Writer: Jude Mack
Director: Emma Freeman
Executive Producers: Liza Marshall and Bria Thomas for Hera Pictures, Jude Mack, Emma Freeman, Hamish Lewis and David Belshaw for Warner Bros. International Television Production
Series Producer: Laurie Borg
Production Company: Hera Pictures, in association with Warner Bros. International Television Production
Episodes: 7 x 60 mins
Filming will commence in Australia this year
Feral is supported by the Australian Government through the Location Offset, the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, and the Gold Coast Film Commission and Invest Gold Coast’s Screen Attraction Program.
Photo credits: Jessica Gunning by Theo Tennant, Genevieve O’Reilly by Kyle Galvin, Philippa Northeast by Phil Sharp, Michelle Dockery by Billie Scheepers, Dolly de Leon by Creazion
