First Look Scrublands season two filmed in Augusta WA last year and will air on April 17 on Stan in 2025.
First Look: Scrublands Season Two Filmed in Augusta, WA, and Premiering on April 17 on Stan.
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The Australian crime drama Scrublands took the country by storm when it first aired in 2020, drawing viewers into its suspenseful, slow-burn narrative set against the harsh backdrop of Australia’s outback. Based on the best-selling novel by Chris Hammer, the series quickly earned praise for its strong performances, haunting atmosphere, and compelling storytelling. With its intriguing mix of crime, mystery, and drama, Scrublands became an instant hit, and fans were left eagerly anticipating its return.
In 2025, Scrublands is back with its highly anticipated second season. After an extensive production process, including a shift in filming locations, the second season is set to premiere on Stan on April 17. This season promises even more twists, turns, and character development as it delves deeper into the psyche of its central characters and the dark, unforgiving environment that shapes their lives. The new season of Scrublands has been eagerly awaited, particularly with the intriguing news that it was filmed in Augusta, Western Australia, in 2024, a move that has sparked considerable excitement among fans and critics alike.
A Quick Recap: What is Scrublands? First Look Scrublands
For those unfamiliar with the series, Scrublands is a crime drama that originally aired on Stan in 2020. The first season centers on the character of Martin Scarsden (played by Macquarie University alum, actor), a journalist who arrives in a small Australian outback town, Riversend, to cover the aftermath of a mass shooting. The town, once a quiet rural community, is rocked by the shooting, which sees a local priest gunning down five members of his congregation before turning the gun on himself.
Scarsden’s initial investigation is simple enough, but as he digs deeper into the past of the small, isolated community, he uncovers a wealth of buried secrets and dark truths. As the mysteries unravel, Scarsden is forced to confront his own personal demons, making Scrublands a story not just about crime, but about the emotional scars people carry, the consequences of silence, and the toll of repressed histories. The beauty of the show lies in its atmosphere—the dusty, barren landscapes of the outback serve as a powerful backdrop to the psychological drama playing out between the characters.
The Move to Augusta, Western Australia First Look Scrublands
While the first season of Scrublands was filmed primarily in the fictional town of Riversend, the second season takes a dramatic shift in terms of location. For season two, the crew chose to film in the small coastal town of Augusta, located in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Augusta, with its rugged coastline, dense forests, and dramatic cliffs, provides a striking contrast to the flat, dry outback terrain of season one, but it’s no less intense in terms of its isolation and unforgiving environment.
Augusta’s natural beauty, combined with its sense of quiet desolation, makes it the perfect setting for the second season of Scrublands, which continues the series’ exploration of moral ambiguity, betrayal, and the complexity of human emotions. The change in location also allows the show to expand its aesthetic and thematic scope, presenting a different kind of wilderness to reflect the story’s evolving narrative.
Filming in Augusta brought unique challenges for the production team, as the coastal area’s weather and unpredictable terrain required careful planning. The wild, windswept landscapes of Augusta are far more than just scenic backdrops—they are characters in their own right, influencing the way the plot unfolds and providing a deeper emotional resonance for the series’ central themes.
In particular, the isolation of the town mirrors the emotional isolation of many of the characters, who are grappling with their own secrets and unresolved traumas. The natural beauty of Augusta, with its dense forests, sprawling beaches, and wild cliffs, adds a layer of melancholy and danger to the atmosphere, making it an ideal place for the dark, tense drama that Scrublands has come to be known for.
What to Expect in Season Two First Look Scrublands
Season two of Scrublands takes the storyline in a new direction while still maintaining the gritty, tense atmosphere that captivated audiences in the first season. The plot picks up after the events of the first season, with Martin Scarsden once again drawn into a complex investigation. This time, Scarsden is tasked with covering the mysterious death of a woman named Emily, who is found on the edge of a remote wilderness area near Augusta.
As with the first season, the investigation quickly becomes far more complicated than it first appears. What seems like a straightforward death soon reveals itself to be connected to a series of disturbing events, and Scarsden must once again navigate the murky waters of small-town politics, buried secrets, and personal vendettas. The second season promises to deepen the themes of guilt, redemption, and trauma that were introduced in the first season, while also adding new layers of intrigue and psychological complexity.
One of the key changes in season two is the introduction of new characters, some of whom have their own hidden motivations and secrets. These characters play pivotal roles in the investigation, and their interactions with Scarsden are set to be both tense and revealing. Viewers can expect more twists and turns as the season progresses, keeping them on the edge of their seats until the very last moment.
The focus on personal relationships, particularly between Scarsden and the people he meets in Augusta, is central to the story in season two. Just as season one explored the emotional and psychological toll of uncovering hidden truths, season two looks at the personal cost of digging into painful memories and confronting the past. As Scarsden delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Emily’s death, he finds himself drawn into the lives of people who are hiding their own dark histories.
Strong Performances and Character Development First Look Scrublands
As in the first season, Scrublands season two benefits from strong performances across the board. Macquarie University alum, reprising his role as Martin Scarsden, brings a complex, nuanced performance to the character of the journalist. Scarsden is a deeply flawed character, haunted by the events of his past, and his personal growth and emotional struggles will continue to be a major focal point of the series.
In season two, Scarsden’s investigation takes a toll on his own mental health as he is forced to confront the painful memories he has been running from. His relationships with other characters are strained as he becomes more obsessive about the case, pushing him further into isolation. Scarsden’s emotional journey is one of the most compelling aspects of the series, and viewers can expect even greater depth and development as his character grapples with his past and the darkness he uncovers in Augusta.
The new characters introduced in season two also promise to bring strong performances. Augusta’s small-town community is full of intriguing individuals, each with their own secrets and motivations. Among these characters are Emily’s family members, friends, and a group of local residents who may know more about her death than they’re letting on. As the investigation unfolds, these characters will become more prominent, and their interactions with Scarsden will shape the course of the story.
Filming and Cinematic Beauty First Look Scrublands
Filming in Augusta was not just a change of scenery—it was a chance to explore the natural beauty of Western Australia in a way that complements the show’s dark, atmospheric tone. The production team worked closely with local experts to capture the landscape’s raw beauty, using both the coastline and the surrounding forests as integral parts of the story.
Augusta’s rugged cliffs, windswept beaches, and dense woods provide a striking visual contrast to the barren landscapes of season one. The show’s cinematographers used the natural environment to enhance the mood of the story, using wide shots of the coastal vistas to evoke a sense of loneliness and isolation, while tighter shots in the forests and towns convey the claustrophobic tension that the characters feel as they uncover unsettling truths.
The visual aesthetics of season two of Scrublands also add a layer of realism, making Augusta a key player in the drama. Whether it’s the dark, stormy skies or the bright, scorching sunlight filtering through the trees, the environment mirrors the inner turmoil of the characters and intensifies the sense of danger and unease that runs throughout the series.
Fans’ Anticipation and Expectations First Look Scrublands
Fans of Scrublands have been eagerly awaiting the second season, and with good reason. The first season ended on a cliffhanger, leaving many questions unanswered and promising more intrigue in the future. With the new season set to premiere on April 17 on Stan, expectations are high, and viewers are excited to see how the complex plot and character arcs evolve.
The shift to Augusta as a filming location has only increased anticipation, as the change in setting promises to provide new visual and thematic dimensions to the story. Fans are curious to see how the town’s rugged beauty will contribute to the emotional weight of the plot and how the new characters will fit into the established world of Scrublands.
Conclusion
The return of Scrublands for its second season is a significant event for fans of the Australian crime drama, and the shift to Augusta, Western Australia, promises to bring fresh energy and intensity to the series. With its complex characters, haunting atmosphere, and thrilling plot twists, season two looks set to build on the success of the first season and deliver even more tension and drama. Fans can expect a gripping story filled with mystery, emotional depth, and, of course, plenty of twists and turns. With its premiere on April 17 on Stan, Scrublands is poised to captivate audiences once again, drawing them into a world where nothing is as it seems and every secret comes with a price.
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