East of Everything
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Deb Cox, Fiona Eagger, Roger Monk |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Drama television series |
East of Everything is an Australian drama television series set in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales. It was broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from 2008 through 2009. The program, produced by Deb Cox (SeaChange), Fiona Eagger (CrashBurn), and Roger Monk (The Secret Life of Us), spanned two seasons. The narrative addresses family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, core values, and local politics within a small community, while showcasing the laid-back coastal lifestyle, nearby rainforests, and conflicts involving developers. The setting draws inspiration from a more modest version of the tourist destination Byron Bay.
Synopsis
The storyline centers on Art Watkins (Richard Roxburgh), a travel writer who has spent years abroad. He returns to Broken Bay—an economically challenged resort town located at Australia's easternmost tip—for his mother’s funeral. Upon his return, he faces a corrupt council, his brother Vance’s attempts to defraud him of his inheritance, reconnects with his first love, and confronts the son he has not seen in a decade. The second season broadens the story by introducing new characters, including Gerry (Nick Tate), the estranged father of the Watkins brothers and the original developer of the resort. The fictional town of Broken Bay merges characteristics from Byron Bay and Broken Head, where much of the filming took place, utilizing the distinctive qualities of the region as a significant backdrop.
Creators Cox and Monk designed their multi-generational cast as individuals molded by adversity, seeking solace and renewal. The series explores themes such as fatherhood and male bonds, reflecting on men who grew up amid family separations in the 1970s. While Season 1 concentrates on resolving personal disputes among the ensemble, Season 2 introduces additional characters and adopts a lighter tone without abandoning its serious subject matter.
Alongside Roxburgh and Tate, the ensemble includes prominent Australian actors like Tom Long, Susie Porter, Gia Carides, and Steve Bisley.
Cast
- Richard Roxburgh as Art Watkins
- Susie Porter as Eve Pritchard
- Tom Long as Vance Watkins
- Gia Carides as Melanie Freedman
- Steve Bisley as Terry Adams
- Kathryn Beck as Lizzy Dellora
- Valerie Bader as Bev Flick
- Craig Stott as Josh Watkins
- Liana Cornell as Rebecca
- Imogen Annesley as Suzy Burns
- Mouche Phillips as Sandy
- Tom Budge as Dale
- Damien Garvey as Owen
- Errol O'Neill as Len
- Glen Shea as Edgar
- Fletcher Humphrys as Jai
- Leah Vandenberg as Lara
- Tracy Mann as Rosemary de Jong (season 2)
- Nick Tate as Gerry Watkins (season 2)
- Craig Hall as Carter Smith (season 2)
- Christine Amor as Matron (season 2, 2 episodes)
Season 1
Season 2
Comprehensive episode descriptions for both seasons can be found online.
Production details
The inaugural season consisted of six episodes, broadcast on Sundays at 8:30 pm from 30 March through to 4 May 2008. The second season expanded to seven episodes, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 pm beginning on 25 July 2009, featuring the addition of Nick Tate to the cast.
For season one, Byron Bay was the main filming location representing the fictional Broken Bay. In season two, production broadened to include additional Northern Rivers communities in New South Wales such as Nimbin, New South Wales#Nimbin and Mullumbimby, both recognized for their distinctive "hippy vibe." The dilapidated Far Out East resort set was purpose-built at the future site of Byron Beach Resort on Belongil Beach, drawing inspiration partly from the former Piggery backpacker accommodation, now known as Arts Factory Lodge. The series’ soundtrack showcased local and emerging musicians employing unique instruments, contributing to the setting’s exotic ambiance.
DVD and CD releases
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation issued both seasons on DVD—Series One in 2008 and Series Two in 2009—each comprising a two-disc collection with bonus features included. Additionally, soundtrack albums for both seasons were released on CD. The music compilation earned a nomination for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2009.
See also
References