Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black), Rob Collins (Cleverman), Callan Mulvey (Avengers: Endgame) and Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Operation Buffalo) will star in Firebite for AMC+.
The first series just entered production in South Australia, and has likewise added Tony Krawitz (The Tall Man) as director.
A co-production between AMC Studios and See-Saw Films, Firebite is a fantasy series that follows two Indigenous Australian hunters, Tyson (Collins) and Shanika (Barnes-Cowan), on their journey to fight the last colony of vampires in the South Australian desert. The series is included eight, one-hour episodes set to debut on AMC+ this winter.
Warwick Thorton (Samson and Delilah, Sweet Country) made and composed the series—likewise directing, alongside Krawitz and Brendan Fletcher (Mad Bastards).
Paul Ranford is producing, with Dena Curtis and Libby Sharpe serving as co-v, and Billy Bowring as associate producer.
Emile Sherman and Iain Canning are executive producing for See-Saw Films, close by Rachel Gardner, Thornton and Fletcher. See-Saw’s Simon Gillis will serve as co-executive producer, alongside Kodie Bedford.
Kristin Jones is managing the series for AMC Networks.
The production has gotten significant funding from the South Australian Film Corporation, and is giving employment opportunities to First Nations professionals.
“Our only rule [in casting] was to find great people, no matter where they came from. We have actors who’ve worked on big Hollywood blockbusters, and others that are flying in from remote Aboriginal communities who light up the screen with natural presence,” said Thornton and Fletcher. “To us, they are all movie stars.”
“We are committed to creating compelling programming with diverse voices and representation for our viewers, and Firebite delivers on this goal,” added Kristin Jones, Executive Vice President, International Programming and Program Innovation, AMC Networks. “We’re thrilled to bring this unique original series to life authentically with a stellar cast and crew on Indigenous lands with Indigenous storytelling.”
Stone is represented by Lisa Mann Creative Management (AUS), Gersh, and Andy Corren Management. Collins is repped by Shanahan Management (AUS) and Innovative Artists. Mulvey is repped by Shanahan Management (AUS), Paradigm and Anonymous Content. Barnes-Cowan is with Actors Management International (AUS).
