LUKE ARNOLD AND BELLA HEATHCOTE RETURN FOR THE STAN ORIGINAL SERIES "SCRUBLANDS: SILVER"

Based on Chris Hammer's best-selling novel Silver, Luke Arnold and Bella Heathcote will be joined by Luke Carroll, Debra Lawrance, David Roberts and Tasma Walton.

Stan, Australia's unrivalled home of original productions, and the 9Network today released first look images for the second season of the Stan Original Series Scrublands, now filming in Augusta, Western Australia. Scrublands: Silver sees Luke Arnold (Black Sails) and Bella Heathcote (Pieces of Her) reprise their roles after a critically acclaimed, smash-hit first season. Scrublands: Silver is an Easy Tiger and Third Act Stories production co-commissioned by Stan and the 9Network.

In the brand new season, it's been a year since the life changing events of Scrublands and award-winning investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Arnold) has returned to his coastal hometown, Port Silver, WA, to set up a new life with partner Mandy Bond (Heathcote). When he arrives to find his childhood friend Jasper brutally murdered and Mandy the prime suspect, Martin struggles with doubts - about Mandy and about his own ability to recognise the truth. As he pushes forward to find the real murderer and absolve Mandy, Martin confronts secrets about Port Silver and his long-buried past.

Based on the best-selling novel Silver by Chris Hammer, the sequel to Scrublands, the second season will also star Luke Carroll (The Artful Dodger), Debra Lawrance (Please Like Me), David Roberts (Please Like Me), Tasma Walton (The Twelve), Luke Pegler (Hacksaw Ridge), Caroline Brazier (Stan Original Series Year Of), Joel Jackson (Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door), Toby Truslove (La Brea), Sarah Roberts (Home and Away), Hamish Michael (The Twelve), Radek Jonak (Stan Original Film The Surfer) and Damian De Montemas (Hounds of Love).

Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: "Following the immense success of Scrublands, we look forward to working with Easy Tiger and Third Act Stories, alongside lead cast Luke and Bella, as we bring audiences another thrilling season. This is Stan's fourth project in Western Australia in the last twelve months, and shows our commitment to collaborating with local cast and creatives so that we can deliver fresh and exceptional Originals for Australian and global audiences. We are excited to film in Augusta and thank our partners at Screenwest, the WA Regional Screen Fund and the 9Network."

9Network Head of Drama Andy Ryan said: "We can't wait to bring this next installment of Scrublands to the screen. Set in the stark coastal beauty of Western Australia, Scrublands: Silver will wow audiences with a gripping crime mystery in a unique environment. With the outstanding Luke Arnold and Bella Heathcote returning along with the creative maestros at Easy Tiger and Third Act Stories, viewers should strap in for another emotional rollercoaster of world class premium drama."

Easy Tiger producer Ian Collie said: "We at Easy Tiger, along with our partners Third Act Stories from WA, are thrilled to bring the second exciting season of Scrublands back to Stan and our international partners. It's great to step back into the world of Mandy and Martin, played perfectly by Luke Arnold and Bella Heathcote. Like the first season, we are witness from the get-go to a violent tragedy that implicates both our heroes. We look forward to working with director Ben Young and the WA crew to bring the second season to our screens."

Third Act Stories producer Martha Coleman said: "Scrublands: Silver is Third Act Stories' first production in Western Australia and it's a pleasure to work with Easy Tiger to showcase the exceptional talent and vibrant locations in WA. It's a truly film friendly state."

Screenwest CEO Rikki Lea Bestall said: "We are pleased to welcome Stan and Easy Tiger back to WA and are excited to see Luke Arnold and Bella Heathcote reprise their roles, this time in our stunning South West. Augusta is abuzz with activity with WA producer Martha Coleman and WA director Ben Young heading up a fantastic Western Australian crew."

The Stan Original Series Scrublands: Silver is produced by Martha Coleman with Ian Collie, Rob Gibson and Felicity Packard. Directed by Ben Young, written by Felicity Packard, Fiona Kelly and Jock Serong, with Executive Producers Michael Healy and Andy Ryan from the 9Network and Cailah Scobie and Alicia Brown for Stan. Major production investment from Screenwest, Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund. Developed with the assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest. International sales are handled by Abacus Media Rights.