Sundance Now strikes pre-sale deal for Stan & Nine Network’s drama ‘Scrublands’

Bella Heathcote

US-based streamer Sundance Now has struck a pre-sales deal for Australian drama Scrublands, which recently wrapped filming.

The series is being produced by Aussie firm Easy Tiger and will become available on Sundance Now in the US and English-speaking Canada.

Scrublands is based on the crime novel by Chris Hammer and stars Luke Arnold (Black Sails), Jay Ryan (Top Of The Lake) and Bella Heathcote (Pieces Of Her).

It was commissioned by Stan and Nine Network and follows a dedicated young priest who calmly opens fire on his congregation, killing five parishioners. One year later, an investigative journalist writes what should be a simple feature story on the anniversary of the tragedy but uncovers a darker truth.

Shannon Cooper, VP of programming at Sundance Now, said: “Scrublands exudes the perfect collection of intrigue, mystery and adventure, laced within a character-driven story, that Sundance Now’s astute audience appreciates and craves.”

The show is being sold by Abacus Media Rights, whose MD described the series as “a roller coaster” of a drama based.