Territory on Netflix is an Australian neo-Western drama that attracts people with its thrilling power struggles and stunning landscapes. Anna Torv, Michael Dorman, Robert Taylor and Sam Corlett star in this [six-part series] which premiered on October 24, 2024. It has since become famous for its stunning depictions of the Australian Outback. It’s about a family fight over Marianne Station, which is the biggest cattle station in the world. The Northern Territory and South Australia make for a beautiful background. Let’s get into the story of the show and the interesting real-life places that make it come to life.
Territory Plot Summary:
A death at the start of the drama really shocks the Lawson family. Daniel Lawson—the heir—is found dead and the future of Marianne Station, a billion-dollar empire is uncertain. Father Colin Lawson (Robert Taylor) his troubled oldest son Graham (Michael Dorman), Graham’s ambitious wife Emily (Anna Torv), their lost son Marshall (Sam Corlett), or their smart teenage daughter Susie (Philippa Northeast). Must decide who will take over.
There is still fighting in the family. Deborah Kirby (Sara Wiseman), Hank Hodge (Dan Wyllie), a famous cattle thief and Campbell Miller (Jay Ryan), a rival cattle baron, are all outside threats. Nolan Brannock (Clarence Ryan), the owner of an indigenous station, and his community are also having a hard time because sacred lands are getting linked to power struggles. Every character fights for their place whether it’s for honor, money or survival, which leads to shocking betrayals, deadly fights and heartbreaking losses.
Emily is at the center of the fight. She is very determined and has a troubled past. Her unquenchable drive drives her to make deals, fix family problems and protect herself from outside threats. But the Lawson’s problems end in terrible tragedies and surprising alliances that keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end of the show.
Where Was Netflix’s Territory (2024) Filmed?
Territory feels very real because it was filmed in places that show off the rough beauty of Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia (SA). The production team for the show worked very hard to capture the vast, harsh landscapes that set the tone for the intense drama in the Lawson family. Take a close look at these important spots;
1. Kakadu National Park (Northern Territory)
Kakadu National Park is one of Australia’s most famous natural sights. It is known for its tall sandstone cliffs, lush wetlands, and rich Indigenous history. Many wide shots of the dramatic landscapes that make up the series were taken in the park. Timothy Lee, one of the show’s creators, said, “It was important to film in places that matched the scale and spirit of the story.” The only things that beat Kakadu’s beauty are its history and strength.
2. Tipperary Station (Northern Territory)
While Marianne Station was made up, Tipperary Station, one of the biggest cattle stations in the Northern Territory, was based on a real place. Tipperary is made up of thousands of square kilometers of open land and working infrastructure for cattle, which made the ranch scenes more realistic. During filming, the cast and crew lived on-site and got to know the way of life in Australia’s cattle country.
“Working and living in Tipperary was unlike anything else I’ve done,” actor Michael Dorman said. “The sound of cattle wakes you up, and you go to sleep under a blanket of stars.” It gave the story a lot of weight for me.
3. Mallala (South Australia)
Mallala, a small town on the Adelaide Plains, was used in a lot of movies. Some parts of this farming town were turned into set pieces for the show, capturing both its rustic charm and how it added to the show’s rural look.
4. Adelaide (South Australia)
Post-production and production took place in Adelaide, which is the capital city of South Australia. The city was the crew’s main hub for logistics, and there was studio work that went along with the filming that happened on location. Adelaide’s Screen Studios also helped make sure that the series had good post-production.
Timothy Lee’s research trip to the Northern Territory had a big impact on the story and character development of the show. Lee said, “I soaked in everything they could give me, all the attitudes, the world, the stories.” “Some of the stories were occasionally pretty confronting but it was really valuable. They were so stranger than fiction, but they were gold and gave me plenty of fodder to work with.”
It was hard to get things ready for filming in such remote places. Private jets and helicopters were often used to get cast, crew, and equipment to places that were hard to get to. Even though there were problems, the production team saw them as part of the process of making a true picture of Australia’s Outback.
The director of Screen Territory, Jennie Hughes, talked about how important the show’s locations were. “ The series captures the vastness, beauty, and scale of the Territory. It honors how different the Northern Territory is while telling a universal story of strength and survival.
Is ‘Territory‘ Worth Watching?
Territory is a must-see for anyone who likes intense family dramas, rivalries with a lot at stake, and beautiful cinematography. The show not only has an interesting plot, but it also takes viewers into the harsh but beautiful landscapes of Australia. Territory is a modern neo-Western drama that captures the spirit of its land and people. It has well-researched characters, an interesting story, and real-life settings.
Territory is a deeply immersive experience that will move you both emotionally and visually, whether you’re interested in the complex family relationships, the tense power plays, or the stunning landscapes. Netflix’s biggest production in South Australia has raised the bar for Australian dramas, so you need to add it to your list of things to watch.
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