High Country (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | March 19, 2024 |
| Founder | Marcia Gardner, John Ridley |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Mystery drama television series |
High Country is an Australian mystery drama series developed by Marcia Gardner and John Ridley, which premiered on 19 March 2024 on both Binge and Showcase. The cast includes Leah Purcell, Ian McElhinney, Sara Wiseman, and Aaron Pedersen.
Premise
Sergeant Andrea 'Andie' Whitford is reassigned to Brokenridge in the Victorian High Country, where she probes the vanishing of five individuals in the remote wilderness. Her investigation uncovers a tangled network of murder, betrayal, and vengeance.
Main
- Leah Purcell as Sergeant Andrea 'Andie' Whitford
- Ian McElhinney portraying Retired Sergeant Sam Dryson
- Sara Wiseman as Helen Hartley
- Aaron Pedersen in the role of Owen Cooper
- Geoff Morrell playing Brian Harris
- Linda Cropper as Rose De Vingy
- Henry Nixon as Damien Stark
- Luke McKenzie as Senior Constable Brett Sweet
- Matt Domingo portraying Constable Reza Bohrani
- Pez Warner as Kirra Hartley
- Pedrea Jackson in the role of Ben Cooper
- Leah Vandenberg as Tammy Samson
Recurring
- Francis Greenslade portraying Dr Patrick Haber
- Annie Chiswell as Maddie Harris
- Catherine Glavicic playing Bernice
- Nicholas Bell as Senior Sergeant Steven Cripps
- Nathaniel Dean in the role of Nash Mason
- Jamie Tominy portraying Liam Mason
- Jess Harris as Rachel Griggs
- Shannon Berry playing Sophie
- Melissa Jaffer as Liz Whitford
Guests
- Eddie Baroo appearing as Lachlan Francis
Production
The series High Country was created by Marcia Gardner and John Ridley, known for their work on Wentworth. This eight-episode drama was shot over 36 days and commissioned by Foxtel, with support from Screen Australia, VicScreen, and Curio Pictures. Filming took place beginning April 2023 in Jamieson, Victoria, situated within the Victorian Alps—a location seldom seen on screen. Foxtel CEO Graeme Mason referred to the show as "a landmark television series". Executive producers include Jo Porter, Rachel Gardner, Lana Greenhalgh, Penny Win, alongside creators Marcia Gardner and John Ridley.
Broadcast
High Country debuted on 19 March 2024 via Foxtel’s streaming service Binge, with simultaneous broadcast on Foxtel's channel Showcase. New episodes are released every Tuesday at noon on Binge and at 8:30 pm on Showcase.
On 3 May 2024, the full season of eight episodes became accessible in New Zealand through ThreeNow.
In June 2024, the UK broadcasting rights were secured by the BBC. The series premiered on 13 July 2024 on BBC One, airing the initial four episodes across two weeks in double-episode blocks. Subsequently, it transitioned to BBC Two for the concluding four episodes, also presented in pairs. All episodes were scheduled for Saturday evenings, with the entire series available for streaming on BBC iPlayer following its premiere.
Reception
Critics have responded favorably to the series. David Knox from TV Tonight awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, emphasizing the importance of its First Nations viewpoint and praising Leah Purcell’s "exceptional" portrayal of a pragmatic and dedicated officer who navigates intellectual and spiritual trials.
Anthony Morris of Screenhub also rated it 4 out of 5 stars, lauding the authentic depiction of Victoria’s landscape and the show’s immersive atmosphere. Luke Buckmaster from The Guardian gave a 3 out of 5 star rating, acknowledging Purcell’s "solid" performance within a conventional crime drama framework.
Following its New Zealand release, Tara Ward from The Spinoff described High Country as an excellent winter crime drama, applauding both its setting and ensemble cast while noting some familiar genre tropes. She ultimately recommended viewing the series.
Anita Singh at The Daily Telegraph rated it 3 out of 5 stars, calling it a compelling crime thriller infused with themes of deception, homicide, and magical realism, though not particularly innovative in concept.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organization | Award Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | APRA Awards | Best Music Composition for a Television Drama | Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan Skubiszewski |
Template:Won |
| 2025 | AACTA Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama | Leah Purcell | Template:Nom |
| Screen Producers Australia | Drama Series Production of the Year | High Country | Template:Nom |