Welcome to Evelyn Bay. It’s a postcard-perfect Tasmanian slice of heaven. The cliffs are towering, and the ocean is breathtaking. However, the local pastimes include harboring decades of psychological trauma and dark secrets.
If your watchlist has been lacking a moody, atmospheric Australian noir that doubles as a masterclass in small-town claustrophobia, Netflix has you covered. All six episodes of the limited series “The Survivors” are officially streaming worldwide.
Adapted from Jane Harper’s massive bestseller, this isn’t your standard run-of-the-mill police procedural. Showrunner Tony Ayres (Clickbait, Stateless) describes the show as a bit of a trick. “I often describe the show as a Trojan horse. It’s a family melodrama disguised as a murder mystery.”
Dead Men (and Women) Tell Tales
Fifteen years ago, a single, catastrophic storm tore through Evelyn Bay. It left two people drowned, a young girl vanished without a trace, and a community permanently scarred. Unable to bear the crushing weight of survival guilt, Kieran Elliott packed his bags and fled.
Now, Kieran is finally dragged back to his childhood home alongside his partner, Mia Chang. They must navigate the grim realities of his father’s failing health and his mother’s emotional deep freeze.
Naturally, the universe doesn’t believe in a quiet family reunion. Just as the old ghosts start whispering, the body of a young woman washes ashore. This plunges the town right back into its worst nightmare. As the fresh murder investigation kicks into gear, the sunny facade of the tourist town completely cracks. It threatens to unearth the 15-year-old truth about the missing girl and expose a killer who has been sharing their beaches the entire time.
The Roster: Franchise Heavyweights Head Down Under
To pull off a thriller this emotionally heavy, you need an ensemble that can do a lot more than look suspicious in the rain. “The Survivors” boasts a stacked lineup of familiar faces from some of the biggest cinematic universes on television. It includes Charlie Vickers (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Yerin Ha (Bridgerton, Halo), Robyn Malcolm (Heartbreak High, Sweet Tooth) and Damien Garvey (Nautilus, The Artful Dodger). They are joined by Thom Green (Apple Cider Vinegar), George Mason (The Power of the Dog), Jessica De Gouw (The Crown), and Miriama Smith (The Gone).
Behind the Lens
The moody, windswept production comes courtesy of the award-winning hitmakers at Tony Ayres Productions, with backing from industry powerhouses Matchbox Pictures and Universal International Studios.
Watch It Now
If you like your whodunits served with a heavy side of family dysfunction, gorgeous coastal cinematography, and pacing that keeps you guessing until the final frame, grab your blanket. “The Survivors“ is officially ready to eat up your weekend.
