South Australia’s screen industry is flying high as the cameras start rolling on season three of TV WEEK Logie Award-winning Seven Network drama RFDS, bringing an employment and economic boost to the state and putting a national spotlight on the beautiful Flinders Ranges.
Supported by the State Government through the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), the series is expected to inject more than $10 million into the state’s economy and create more than 450 jobs for South Australians across crew, cast and extras talent.
With a majority South Australian crew, RFDS is the first production to come to the state from Endemol Shine Australia, the company behind acclaimed dramas such as NCIS: Sydney and The Claremont Murders as well as award winning shows Masterchef Australia, LEGO Masters, Australian Survivor and Gogglebox.
Co-created by Ian Meadows, Executive Produced by Sara Richardson and Julie McGauran and produced by South Australia’s Lisa Scott of Highview Productions (The Tourist), the highly anticipated third season is now underway in the state. Filming is taking place across Adelaide, including at the SAFC’s Adelaide Studios, as well as at the Port Augusta RFDS Base and regional surrounds including Quorn. With much of the action unfolding in the stunning Flinders Ranges, the production is also anticipated to generate economic development and tourism for the region.
Inspired by the heroic real-life stories of doctors, nurses, pilots and support staff of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the new season picks up one year later as the RFDS family is forced to grapple with the fallout of choices and deal with the domino effects of a tragedy. The lead cast are all set to return including Emma Hamilton, Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Justine Clarke, Ash Ricardo, Emma Harvie, Rodney Afif, Jack Scott, Sofia Nolan and Thomas Weatherall.
RFDS won the 2024 TV WEEK Logie Award for Best Drama Program, and earned a nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Drama for Rob Collins. Season 3 will air on Channel 7 and 7plus in 2025.
Arts Minister Andrea Michaels MP said: “It is very exciting to welcome RFDS to South Australia. It is the latest in a continued pipeline of major productions taking place in our state with the support of the Malinauskas Government.
“Securing this amazing series is a huge win for the state, injecting $10 million into South Australia’s economy and creating hundreds of jobs for our local screen sector while showcasing Adelaide and our incredible Flinders Ranges to a national audience.“It demonstrates that South Australia is the perfect home for Australian television production.”
SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: “We are thrilled to welcome Endemol Shine to South Australia for the first time with this beloved Australian drama series, strengthening our state’s international reputation as the premier location for Australian stories on screen.
“Led by South Australian producer Lisa Scott with a predominantly South Australian crew, RFDS will create significant employment and career advancement opportunities for local screen sector talent including 10 South Australian Heads of Department. It will also deliver economic and employment benefits for South Australians outside the screen industry, with more than two thirds of expenditure on a typical screen production going to suppliers and service providers in other sectors such as construction, transport, hospitality, retail and more.”
Executive Producer and Endemol Shine Australia’s Head of Scripted Sara Richardson said: “Endemol Shine Australia is delighted to be filming in South Australia - showcasing the beauty of the state and the Flinders Ranges to not only the rest of the country, but around the world. It is a pleasure to be working closely with the SAFC, and the production is so appreciative of their support, facilities and commitment. We are extremely grateful to the communities of Quorn and the Port Augusta RFDS base for being so welcoming and giving this show a home away from home.”
Producer Lisa Scott of Highview Productions said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have such a celebrated and revered production here in South Australia. With the support of the SAFC not only are we able to provide hundreds of jobs to local Adelaide cast and crew, we will also be showcasing the Flinders Ranges and our state’s regional surrounds, both of which we are supremely proud of.”
Seven’s Head of Drama Julie McGauran said: “We are grateful to the SAFC and South Australian Government for their extraordinary support of this TV Week Logie award winning drama - one of which we are most proud. We are really excited for viewers to see what is in store for season three when it airs on Seven next year, let the cameras roll!”
RFDS is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Entertainment Company) in association with the Seven Network. Major production investment from Screen Australia, Seven Network and the South Australian Film Corporation. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW. Banijay Rights handles international distribution for RFDS outside of Australia.
About Endemol Shine Australia
Endemol Shine Australia (ESA), a Banijay Entertainment company, comprises proven leaders in television and digital production whose shows have become ratings hits. ESA’s slate represents the most exciting and popular programming on Australian free-to-air networks and pay TV channels–including MasterChef Australia, Australian Survivor, The Summit, LEGO Masters, Married at First Sight, Gogglebox, Hunted, Tipping Point, Deal or No Deal, and the International Emmy Award winning Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds, as well as acclaimed dramas including NCIS: Sydney, RFDS, The Claremont Murders, Bali 2002, Blue Murder: Killer Cop, Offspring, Sisters, Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door and INXS: Never Tear Us Apart.
