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In some ways there is little here that we have not seen before, but the story built around some familiar characters and -- in some cases -- situations has its own originality. The characters are credibly human. Nothing is belaboured, which gives a freshness to the story.

It's four episodes, but they did not flag or drag. Nor did they race. The pacing is well considered -- it has the feel of a small town as opposed to the racier tempi of a big city.

Not being Australian and seeing only a selection of their television and cinema output, I was not familiar with any of these actors. I was impressed with all of them And I especially liked the music..

I don't normally like Aussie series - always the same rough diamond low IQ characters in the country with heavy accents making us all look like a bunch of uneducated yokels. Yes...sigh...this had the usual bogan characters but it was a good story that held my interest until the end.

The lead characters, Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcoate and Jay Ryan did a terrific job but there could have been more of the dishy priest played by Jay Ryan..but oh well. All three characters had good chemistry with each other.

Have to say there have been some good Aussie mystery thrillers and I hope they can keep it up, The Kettering Incident comes to mind. But yes please stop with the bogan characters, it's tiresome.

I didn't read the book so had no preconceptions of how the story should unfold. From others descriptions, that's an advantage but I feel those going on about this sound a little boring because nowdays, most have left this review already as it's too long to read through. It took till the 2nd episode to really get some momentum and just got better as it went. There are lots of backstories that could have been fleshed out but that would have filled 4 more episodes and maybe there wasn't the budget for that. This is a pity, as there was fertile ground here. I thoroughly enjoyed it as a ripping yarn that had a universal flavour rather than the often ocker slant of Aussie dramas. Look forward to season 2 filmed in Augusta in my home state of Western Australia!

There are four episodes. The first two are engaging and well done. Then we have to clear up the mysteries. Things start to become more formulaic. Then episode 4 becomes very formulaic, and seems to feel obliged to sew everything up.

So my feeling about this series is that it begins well, sucks you in, actors are convincing. But, I was ready for some more original evolution because the beginning was done so well. Rather than pat us on the head and then tie things up neatly, I think we could be left with having accomplished much, but need not have ladled on the syrup as episode 4 wound up.

My take: watch the beginning with pleasure, but feel ready to fast forward as the end nears.

I was hesitant to watch initially as I thought it would be more of the same same.

However it was actually refreshing to see some new quality Australian content. Full of twists, great character development and packs a great punch in 4 small episodes. As typical with Aussie series there is 5-10 micro moments that are super cheesy and woeful cgi, but the great story and acting more than makes up for these minor blemishes.

Definitely worth the 2-3 hours to watch and even if you are not a fan of Luke Arnold (Black Sails, INXS) there is still plenty of great smaller characters that blend together in this tale.

The story where an outsider turns up in a remote Australian town and delves into dark goings on is a well-worn one, at least in Australian series that make it to the UK. By contrast, I don't think I've ever seen a series set in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth. In 'Scrublands', our version of this plot follows a journalist investigating a priest (and alleged paedophile), who had turned his gun on his parishoners a year previously. It's competently put together, in spite a late plot twist that isn't fully developed and seems unecessary. But it never really manages to transcend the formula; and the real villain of the piece is signalled from a long way off.

This Australian series open in a remote town in Victoria. We see Byron Swift, a priest, talking to his congregants outside his church. He goes inside, returns holding a rifle and shoots five men before being killed by the local policeman. One year later journalist Martin Scarsden heads to town; he has been tasked with writing a 'puff piece' about how the townspeople are coping a year on. The story was that the priest went on the rampage after child abuse allegations were made against him so Martin is more than a little surprised when plenty of people defend his character... perhaps there is more to the story than was initially reported.

I thought this was a really good little series. At four episodes it didn't outstay its welcome but similarly didn't feel rushed. The opening scenes immediately grabs ones attention and further revelations keep one gripped. The use of flashbacks throughout the series shows key details of what happened and means Byron Swift becomes a fully fleshed out character rather than a mysterious figure only seen in the prologue. The location is impressive; it may be very open but there is a claustrophobic feel due to its isolation. The cast does a fine job; most obviously Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote and Jay Ryan as Martin, Mandy, a woman who knew Byron well, and Byron. The conclusion is solid; being neither too obvious nor too surprising. Overall an impressive mystery that I'd recommend to fans of the genre.

... this a good one... other producers should take note of this four-part-mini-series... keeping it tight-simple gives viewers a chance at outstanding shows... very-well-written-cast-acted-produced this is one of the best programs of 2023

... lots of shows attempt what this little series has achieved, a crime-thriller with heart... don't know if there's plans for a second series, but what was established in the first was that there could surely logically be one... an investigative-journalist now off on another assignment-mission while a potential long term love interest awaits in the outback... now that's a nice setup.

This was briLLianT.

I enjoyed this so much, all I kept thinking was this is like good quality Australian drama shows used to be made.

Writing, acting, cinematics, all ON POINT, and it didn't need a big (big) name to sell it or ruin it with overhype.. I wish there was quality like this more often.

Outstanding efforT by all acTors involved. I am not naming any because I truly feel they each did their own absolute 10/10.

The absolute only thing I could think of to improve was i would've loved it to be another episode or two, but I guess that could've ruined it. So who am I to talk of such ;) .

If you have read the outstanding book 'Silver' , then you will be very disappointed.

The first episode of Season 2, is all over the place.

I don't understand, why they had to change the script from what happens in the book.

This is my favourite, Chris Hammer book.

He has a great ability, to bring his characters to life. Those portrayed on the idiot box, are so wooden.

What were they thinking?

I have to admit, I got so frustrated watching this season. So much so, I had to turn it off.

Watch the show, if you haven't read the book. If you have read 'Silver', find something else to watch

3/10.

I you like Mystery Road you will probably like this as well. It has the same style, but not quite such an outback feel, and I preferred Luke in this one to Jay (Mystery Road) as the central character.

Despite the shocking opening, it was pretty clear that there was more to it and that the event was calculated and not random.

A year later, a journo Luke hits town looking for a follow up human interest story, but starts to unpeel an onion skin of lies and deception relating to the event.

Follows investigative journalist Martin Scarsden as he has to uncover the truth of the case of killing of five parishioners by a charismatic and dedicated young priest.

Despite his apparent popularity, I find Robert Taylor a very dour actor.

This is a contemporary drama and contains language and/or attitudes that some viewers, particularly those of a more mature generation, the Silent Majority, will find offensive.

There are frequent profanity bombs and the F word is peppered throughout. One C word.

My Review - Scrublands Steaming on Stan My Rating 8:10 Series One I'm always pleased to see another quality Australian television series that introduces me to new upcoming actors I haven't seen before . Thankfully locally made series that highlight the quality of our script writers and film technicians are occurring more frequently.

Scrublands convincingly demonstrates that we can stand proud in the very competitive Cinema and Television World and often surpass some of the mediocre productions that are churned out like sausages from America.

Series one of Scrublands made in 2023 follows investigative journalist Martin Scarsden impressively played by Luke Arnold as he tries to uncover the truth in the case of the killing of five parishioners by a charismatic and dedicated young priest.

The Priest Father Byron Swift played by New Zealander Jay Ryan's motive for the shotgun killings is shrouded in mystery and follows accusations of criminal sexual abuse of the teenage boys in his care .

As the journalist opens up the towns old wounds after 12 months since the shootings he encounters resistance and cover ups that go very deep causing further investigation and some hostility.

I recommend both series one and the recent series 2 of Scrublands they are very different I did prefer the plot of Season One but really enjoyed both seasons.

I must make special mention about Bella Heathcote's very impressive performance as Mandy Bond who in Series 1 runs a book shop in the country town of Riversend . Mandy's bad impressions of the journalist Martin Scarsden eventually thaw and her romantic involvement with the journalist continues as they relocate in series 2 to Martin's hometown of Port Silver.

This coastal town is where investigative journalist Martin Scarsden returns to start a new life with his partner, Mandy Bond. However, his plans are disrupted when his childhood friend is found murdered, and Mandy becomes the prime suspect.

Well directed by Greg McLean and Ben Young both series of Scrublands based on a novels by Greg Hammer is entertaining and the cinematography are excellent.

Thanks Lindsay our Coles check out chick for recommending this entertaining series.

I see lots of high ratings, so I'm sure I'll cop some criticism, but...

Chris Hammer's books in this series are great. Well, at least the first one is. The second is OK at best, and the third I just could not get into at all.

I was happy to see them adapted for TV however; as a lover of British noir, I was hoping these stories could deliver something similar for Aussie TV. They didn't.

The adaptation fell flat with too much from the books changed, and the acting is mediocre at best. The cinematography also falls flat. Think less Val McDermid's brooding Wire in the Blood and more 1990's Blue Heeler. Yes, yes, Blue Heelers was great... in the 1990's. But 2025? The pacing is too slow, poor casting, poor scripting and just very average.

Now if they were filmed more like the Nordic-esque 'The Gloaming' filmed in Tassie, THEN you'd be on a winner.

Not least because it was filmed in Australia, my favourite place on earth.

In Season 1, the story follows an investigative reporter from the Sydney Morning Herald coming to a small town in outer NSW to cover the story of a priest, who before ( or after?) the service, walks into the vestry, puts on his surplice, loads up a rifle and comes back out and shoots a bunch of men. He then submits to suicide by cop.

Understandably, we the viewer are utterly gripped after this WTF moment. Don't worry, it all makes perfect sense in the end.

Lovely cinematography, great acting and all too short 4 episodes to finish. Simply perfect.

Series 2 is similar, but I kinda guessed the villain halfway through ep 2/4. This time filmed in Western Australian stunning coastal surroundings and covers our protagonist's hometown and childhood along with the main story. Very poignant.

This is excellent Aussie tv, the book is extremely complex, however, the story is so magnificent I would have liked it to not deviate as much as it did. The changes are so very significent that for me, having read the book, which was awesome, I would have liked them to stick to it in a shortened version and not change the storyline as much as they did. The acting by all was terrific, and the location is an actual town in Victoria. It needed, in my opinion, to have two more episodes to flesh out the back stories, which are written as a true masterpiece by an outstanding Australian writer. The second book about the main character is also awesome and would make a great follow up.

Not sure if the other hight rating reviewers watched the same show? Strong start and then got lost with too many coincidental discoveries, lazy writing , lack of suspense, poor acting and I presume psychic powers from the lead as always seemed to be where he needed to be, and possessed mind reading powers to come up with his columbo theories. Felt like it turned into a bad soap opera and was waiting for scott and Charlene to rock up to the music of angry Anderson. Some of the over acting didn't really suit the scenes at hand. Such a shame as the start was very intriguing. Very messy and poorly structured series. Poor back story when it came to priest and his connection and not even sure how he ended up at the town tbh and at the end didn't care. Only watched to see if I was right about the conclusion from my guess from the first episode and wasn't too far off. Wouldn't recommend tbh.

I enjoyed season one: a gripping opener with a shocking scenario which seems so out of character for the main protagonist. . But gradually we start to see the developments which brought it about and our view is cleverly skewed around to see things in a different light. Sometimes a series is successful and it seems some producer thinks.'lets knock out another one'. So the scriptwriters churn out a pile of garbage. And so you have season two. It's horrible. New characters keep jumping out of the woodwork; all have a different relationship with Marty. Marty walks around like a bull in a china shop annoying the hell out of everyone especially the viewer. So many contuity errors try the patience. A cheap mess.

The plot is sort of ridiculous. It's a fun ride getting to the truth, but by the last episode where everything is revealed, it's a significant disappointment. The priest had many other options other than the absurd one he chooses, and there isn't a valid reason for what he does. In flashbacks we see that he does what he does the sake of the town, but it's not believable. He had only been in the town a few months. He had no attachment to the town. Maybe the book is better.

The other thing that annoyed me was the female lead. She is played by a cute blond, but she is not a good actress.

She seems to float through this series like an extra, though she is in almost every scene. For some reason, she has a giant baby that she carries on her hip like a bag of groceries. The actress doesn't know how to hold a baby, and she shows no emotional bond with her own daughter. My experience tells me that babies sleep a lot, but this character never lets her. She just lugs the baby everywhere. Even while she is working, the baby is with her. It seems like a health code violation to be changing a babies diapers in a kitchen of a cafe. Can she not find a babysitter in the Scrubland? No relatives to help her out? If I knew there was a mass shouting, and a town full of criminals where I was raising my baby, I think I might move to Sydney and get a job serving coffee.

There seems to be a standard stock of characters and stories, not to mention a style of acting that follows the same flat affect with contrived bursts. And, jeezuz, why can't male min characters taking a forking shower once in awhile.

Writing seems to match the acting: boring, dull, nothing believable about this 'investigative reporter's character. He exhibits NO skills with people, much less with craftily gaining information about some mysterious events & motivations from people who are less than welcoming.

It's only a few episodes, thankfully, so it doesn't ask much from its viewers. It doesn't deliver much, either, so I guess it's a fair trade-off. It is a waste of your time.

It is always evident when producers have little faith in their content - they use gimmicks such as starting in the second act and then cutting back to sometime earlier after the supposedly attention grabbing beginning, but I honestly thought the days of the shaky camera gimmick had finally died out ten years ago. I was wrong. In fact this was the worst example I've ever seen. It was so bad I canned this skip fire of a movie after 6 seconds. Why cant they write scripts strong enough to stand on their own anymore? Maybe its because they dont understand their audiences and pack the cast with clueless teenies instead of adults. Be warned, this is very, very bad.