ABC and Screen Australia in association with Screenwest have announced that a third series of the hugely popular, multi-award-winning outback crime drama Mystery Road has been commissioned. Mystery Road: Origin delves into the early years of fan favourite Detective Jay Swan with proud Nyikina man Mark Coles Smith cast as Young Jay. It’s 1999, and Constable Jay Swan, a charismatic young officer arrives at his new station. Fresh from the city and tipped for big things, Jay might be the new copper, but he’s not new to this town. His estranged father Jack lives here, as does the woman who will change his life forever, Mary.
Mystery Road: Origin will explore how a tragic death, an epic love, and the brutal reality of life as a police officer straddling two worlds, form the indelible mould out of which will emerge, Detective Jay Swan. With the wild expanse of outback Western Australia once again providing the stunning backdrop, the series will showcase an exciting new generation of Indigenous filmmakers including director Dylan River (Robbie Hood), DOP Tyson Perkins and producer Penny Smallacombe joining the team. The series is written by Mystery Road veterans Blake Ayshford, Steven McGregor, Kodie Bedford and Timothy Lee.
“The ABC is excited to bring this new phase of Mystery Road to our audiences. The world and tone remain the same but we will unpick Jay and his enigmatic journey to becoming a detective. Who knows, we even may see him smile!” Sally Riley, ABC Head of Drama, Entertainment and Indigenous commented.
“Audiences have long been intrigued with the enigmatic detective Jay Swan. Now we peel back the layers of Jay Swan, to discover what made him the man and the outback detective we know and love. Ivan Sen’s Mystery Road franchise has come full circle.” Greer Simpkin, Producer, Bunya Productions commented.
“Mystery Road is an incredibly powerful drama that continues to resonate with Australian and international audiences alike, and we are thrilled it’s returning to break new ground, exploring the early defining chapters of Jay Swan’s story. With award-winning Bunya Productions once again at the helm and Dylan River in the director’s chair, following in the footsteps of Warwick Thornton, Wayne Blair and Rachel Perkins from the previous two seasons, Mystery Road continues to be a masterclass of filmmaking, showcasing remarkable parts of Australia not often seen on screen.” Screen Australia’s CEO Graeme Mason commented.
“We are thrilled to have this incredible series return to Western Australia, with the support of our State Government and the Western Australian Screen Fund. The spectacular landscapes of Western Australia have helped the popular show establish its ‘outback noir’ genre. The locations within the Goldfields, particularly Kalgoorlie will give the prequel series perfect juxtapositions of breathtakingly beautiful and gritty regional locations.” Rikki Lea Bestall, CEO of Screenwest commented.
“Screen NSW is proud to invest in the ABC’s third series of the award-winning Outback Noir thriller Mystery Road, produced by Sydney’s Bunya Productions. We are particularly delighted to support this rich First Nations’ story created and told by First Nations storytellers. We are extremely excited to see the new road the team is taking with a younger Jay Swan and I am confident the third series will attract wide audiences at home and overseas.” Head of Screen NSW, Grainne Brunsdon commented.
“We are proud that All3Media International has played a part in the international success if this iconic “Outback Noir” series – and that audiences around the globe love the character, Jay Swan. We are really excited to be able to introduce the charismatic actor Mark Coles Smith as young Jay to those viewers, and we know they will love the chance to gain a deeper insight into Jay’s back story and what makes him tick, all of course, wrapped up in a thrilling crime story.” Louise Pederson, CEO of all3 media international commented.
Mystery Road: Origin will go to air on the ABC TV and ABC iview in 2022.