High Country (TV series)
| High Country | |
|---|---|
| Genre |
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| Created by |
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| Starring | |
| Composers | Cezary Skubiszewski and Jan Skubiszewski |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8[1] |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 19 March 2024 – present |
High Country is an Australian mystery drama series created by Marcia Gardner and John Ridley, which commenced broadcast on 19 March 2024 on Binge and Showcase. The series stars Leah Purcell, Ian McElhinney, Sara Wiseman and Aaron Pedersen.
Premise[edit]
When detective Andrea 'Andie' Whitford is transferred to the town of Brokenridge, located within the Victorian High Country, she is assigned to the mysterious case of five missing persons, who have disappeared into the wilderness. As she delves further into the investigation, she begins to uncover a complex web of murder, deceit and revenge.
Cast[edit]
- Leah Purcell as Andrea 'Andie' Whitford[2]
- Ian McElhinney as Sam Dryson[2]
- Sara Wiseman as Helen Hartley[2]
- Aaron Pedersen as Owen Cooper[2]
- Shannon Berry as Sophie
- Linda Cropper[2] Rose
- Geoff Morrell[2] as Brian Harris
- Henry Nixon as Damien
- Nathaniel Dean as Nash Mason
- Nicholas Bell as Snr Sgt Cripps
- Leah Vandenberg as Tammy Samson[2]
- Luke McKenzie as Brett Sweet[2]
Production[edit]
The eight-part series was commissioned for Foxtel, in association with Screen Australia, VicScreen, and its production company Curio Pictures. Filming commenced in April 2023, and set in the Victorian Alps, a region rarely captured on screen.[3] Foxtel Chief CEO, Graeme Mason believes that "High Country is sure to be a landmark television series".[3] Jo Porter, Rachel Gardner, Lana Greenhalgh, Penny Win, Marcia Gardner and John Ridley serve as executive producers for the series.[4]
Broadcast[edit]
High Country premiered on 19 March 2024 on Foxtel-on-demand service, Binge, followed by a television screening on Foxtel's Showcase on the same day. Episodes will be released on Tuesdays through Binge at noon, and Tuesday nights on Showcase at 8.30 pm.[5][2][6]
Reception[edit]
Reviews for the series have been positive. David Knox of TV Tonight rated the series at 4 out of 5 stars, stating that "It’s fair to say the themes of High Country, being missing persons and associated crimes, have been explored in a range of other series, including Scandi-noir drama. Here it gets the First Nations treatment thanks to the fine talents of Leah Purcell." He did particularly praise Purcell's performance – "Purcell is outstanding as a grounded, diligent cop, using her smarts and following the law, whilst being challenged spiritually."[7]
In a review for Screenhub, Anthony Morris gave the series a 4 out of 5 star rating and said that "The Victorian-shot series starring Leah Purcell stands out from the pack with its authentically shady sense of place."[8]
Luke Buckmaster of The Guardian gave the series a rating of 3 stars out of 5 and commented on Purcell's "rock-solid" performance, mentioning that "Leah Purcell is as engaging as ever in a decent, if familiar crime series".[9]
Episodes[edit]
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Episode 1" | Kevin Carlin | Marcia Gardner, John Ridley | 19 March 2024 | |
| Detective Sergeant Andrea 'Andie' Whitford is the new senior police officer in the small town of Brokenridge in the Victorian high country. She discovers an abandoned car on a remote forest road, registered to a Dr. Haber who's recently murdered his wife and children. While searching for Haber, Whitford finds the remains of a child in a hollow tree. Whitford and team eventually find a naked, confused Haber who suicides after warning Whitford "you don't know what's going on here". Both discoveries are aided by suggestions from local teacher and self-professed psychic Damien Stark. Whitford also deals with her immediate predecessor in Brokenridge, popular retiring Sergeant Sam Dryson, local larrikins the Mason brothers and her disgruntled daughter Kirra. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Episode 2" | Kevin Carlin | Marcia Gardner, John Ridley | 19 March 2024 | |
| The remains are of local boy Billy Samson who disappeared five years earlier. An autopsy reveals a broken knife-tip in his chest. Dryson is obsessed with the case and tells Whitford he is convinced Stark is responsible, and that Stark's 'visions' are suppressed guilt. Whitford notes several people have been reported missing in the area in recent years, but Dryson dismisses her concerns. Whitford's wife Helen helps out with the accounts at an artists' retreat and becomes friendly with owner/manager Rose De Vigny. Rose encourages Helen to restart her abandoned artistic pursuits. Local woman Sarah Harris, wife of influential cattle farmer Bryan Harris, is reported missing and a large-scale search is organized. Whitford brings in Stark as a consultant. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Episode 3" | Kevin Carlin | Marcia Gardner, John Ridley | 26 March 2024 | |
| 4 | 4 | "Episode 4" | Kevin Carlin | Marcia Gardner, John Ridley | 2 April 2024 | |
| 5 | 5 | "Episode 5" | Kevin Carlin | Marcia Gardner, John Ridley | 9 April 2024 | |
| 6 | 6 | "Episode 6" | Beck Cole | Marcia Gardner, John Ridley | 16 April 2024 | |
| 7 | 7 | "Episode 7" | Beck Cole | Marcia Gardner, John Ridley | 23 April 2024 | |
| 8 | 8 | "Episode 8" | TBA | TBA | 30 April 2024 | |
References[edit]
- ^ "HIGH COUNTRY". Screen Australia. Australian Government. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Estera, Christine (12 February 2024). "First look at new Aussie drama High Country starring Game of Thrones' Ian McElhinney". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b "FOXTEL GROUP AND SCREEN AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCE NEW ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES HIGH COUNTRY". Screen Australia. Australian Government. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ "OFFICIAL TRAILER AND PREMIERE DATE RELEASED FOR BINGE ORIGINAL HIGH COUNTRY". Binge. Foxtel. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Purcell, Leah (19 March 2024). Today is the day people! High Country will air on Binge at 12pm AEDT and Foxtel at 8.30pm!. Leah Purcell Official. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ Knox, David (12 February 2024). "Airdate: High Country". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (19 March 2024). "High Country". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ Morris, Anthony (19 March 2024). "High Country, Binge review: dark and potent crime drama". Screenhub. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ Buckmaster, Luke (18 March 2024). "High Country review – Leah Purcell is as engaging as ever in a decent, if familiar crime series". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
