Netflix and Peacock will be co-commissioners on the drama series Irreverent

Netflix has co-commissioned the new drama Irreverent to be filmed at Mission Beach, Queensland. The 10 episode drama series, set in Australia and produced by Matchbox Pictures, which is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, is co-commissioned with Peacock in the United States.

The streamer has given a ten-part order to Irreverent, an Australia-set crime drama from Matchbox Pictures, the production organization behind Cate Blanchett’s Stateless.

Produced by: Paddy Macrae (Wanted)

Executive Producer: Debbie Lee (Hungry Ghosts, Safe Harbour, The Heights), Andrew Knight (Rake, Jack Irish, Hacksaw Ridge, Ali’s Wedding, The Water Diviner)

Writers: Paddy Macrae (Wanted, The Family Law), Andrew Knight, Andrew Anastasios (Wentworth, Jack Irish), Angela McDonald (Operation Buffalo, Doctor Doctor), Darlene Johnson (The Redfern Story, Crocodile Dreaming)

Producers: Tom Hoffie, Paddy Macrae

Set up director: Jonathan Teplitzky

Irreverant was made by Paddy Macrae (Wanted, The Family Law) and follows a criminal from Chicago who fumbles a heist and is compelled to hide out in a small Australian reef town in Far North Queensland acting like the new church Reverend.

Matchbox Pictures is owned by NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group and the series is a co-production between Peacock and Netflix in Australia.

It will be filmed in Australia and will be executive produced by Debbie Lee (Hungry Ghosts) and Andrew Knight (Rake, Jack Irish). Tom Hoffie (Clickbait) and Macrae will serve as producers.

Jonathan Teplitzky (A Discovery of Witches) is appended to coordinate three episodes, while Macrae, Knight, Andrew Anastasios (Wentworth, Jack Irish), Angela McDonald (Operation Buffalo, Doctor), and Darlene Johnson (The Redfern Story, Crocodile Dreaming) will serve as writers on the series.

The series is additionally backed by the help of the Federal Governments Location Incentive program and Screen Queensland is supporting through the Queensland government’s Production Attraction Strategy.

“We’re excited to continue expanding Peacock’s premium originals offering with Irreverant, a sweeping global drama with a quirky sensibility,” said Lisa Katz, President, Scripted, NBCUniversal Television, and Streaming. “Matchbox and Netflix Australia have been wonderful partners in bringing this story to life, as we continue to mine stories with varied perspectives from around the world.”

Alastair, Managing Director, Matchbox Pictures, said, “Irreverent is a rollicking fish out of water story that is sure to charm audiences around the world with its quirky characters and spectacular tropical Queensland location. We are so fortunate to be partnering with Peacock and Netflix along with a stellar creative team to bring Paddy Macrae’s original idea to dazzling life.”

Que Minh Luu, Netflix Director of Content for ANZ, added, “We were drawn to Irreverent by its warmth, optimism, and celebration of community with a uniquely Australian sense of humor – like Northern Exposure in Far North Queensland. We’re thrilled to work with NBCUniversal International Studios and Matchbox on bringing this premium drama series to life for our Australian and New Zealand Netflix members.”

Executive Producers are Debbie Lee (Hungry Ghosts, Safe Harbor, The Heights) and Andrew Knight with Tom Hoffie, Paddy Macrae as producers. Set up director is Jonathan Teplitzky.

Filming in Australia has been made conceivable with the help of the Federal Government’s Location Incentive program. Screen Queensland is supporting Irreverent through the Queensland government’s Production Attraction Strategy.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher: “The Morrison Government’s $540 million Location Incentive program is working very effectively to support the Australian screen sector to take advantage of the global boom in high-end content production, attracting substantial international series’ like Irreverent to our shores, generating more than $1.89 billion of expenditure into the Australian economy.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk: “This is one of the three landmark Universal Studios Group productions lured by the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy in 2020. Securing these three productions is a critical part of Queensland’s economic recovery, contributing hundreds of millions to the local economy and importantly creating thousands of local jobs”

Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt: “The Far North is an incredibly diverse backdrop for screen productions. Having productions like Irreverent film here, not only boosts the local economy and creates local jobs, but it shows off our spectacular region. The natural beauty of Queensland’s Far North will be streamed into living rooms across the world, affirming the region’s status not only as a production paradise but also a bucket-list destination for future travel.”

Casting is yet to be declared.

Irreverent will screen exclusively on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand, and Peacock in the United States. The series will be shot on location at Mission Beach, Queensland, Australia. Production will start in September 2021.

Filming in Australia has been made conceivable with the help of the Federal Government’s Location Incentive program. Screen Queensland is supporting Irreverent through the Queensland government’s Production Attraction Strategy.