Screen Australia and SBS announce new Tasmanian online drama series Tailings

SBS and Screen Australia are thrilled to announce The Tailings, a short-form online drama series to premiere on SBS On Demand in 2021.

Directed by Stevie Cruz-Martin (PULSE, Marrow), the 6 x 10 minute series follows a daughter’s investigation into her father’s death. It takes place in her tight-knit, remote community in the wilderness of the West Coast of Tasmania.

SBS Director of Television and Online Content, Marshall Heald, said: “SBS is committed to telling impactful stories that cultivate audiences and resonate with diverse communities. The Tailings gives an insight into life in regional Tasmania, a community that is rarely represented on-screen. The Tailings is a continuance of our response to the growing audience appetite for short-form content and joins AACTA-award winning series Robbie Hood in our premium offering of bite-sized digital dramas.”

Screen Australia Senior Online Investment Manager, Lee Naimo, said: “We are delighted to support exciting new talent with writer Caitlin Richardson and director Stevie Cruz-Martin both working on their first episodic project with The Tailings. Together with such a seasoned team in Liz Doran, Richard Kelly and Stephen Thomas, they are set to deliver a well-crafted mystery set against the stunning Tasmanian scenery, that I’m confident will captivate viewers on SBS On Demand.”

Tasmanian State Minister for The Arts, Elise Archer said: “The Tasmanian Government is excited to partner with SBS and Screen Australia for the production of The Tailings. By partnering with broadcasters and highly credentialed production teams, our Government, through Screen Tasmania, can support local emerging writers, like Caitlin Richardson, to tell their unique stories to national and international audiences. As Tasmania starts to recover and rebuild The Tailings will provide much needed employment opportunities for local cast and crew, as well as economic benefits to our community and businesses.”

Producer, Liz Doran, said: “I’m really delighted to be working with my producing partners Richard Kelly (2Jons) and Stephen Thomas (Roar Film) in association with SBS, Screen Tasmania and Screen Australia on this wonderful project for SBS On Demand. Caitlin Richardson is an exciting emerging writer who has scripted a dramatic and emotional story set against the rugged, wild West Coast of Tasmania and we know that the cinematic style of director Stevie Cruz-Martin will be a perfect match for this series.”

The Tailings is a Liz Doran Productions production for SBS, in association with 2 Jons and Roar Film. Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with SBS. Financed with support from Screen Tasmania.

The Tailings will premiere on SBS On Demand in 2021.

/Public Release. View in full here.