Official TIFF 2022 Selection ‘Mystery Road: Origin’ to Premiere Exclusively on Acorn TV on 9/26

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is always quite special when a story creates a standing legacy. Simply because it means that said story… was revolutionary and dynamic in its own right and resonated with fans on a fundamental level. Which is… rare to be honest, since stories do come and go. But it is possible and one particular series that enjoys this particular status is Mystery Road. For that is a franchise that fans still enjoy and speak of fondly and it was so important and so powerful that it is now adding to its own legacy and expanding into the past, Courtesy of the new television series, Mystery Road: Origin.
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Which is a six-part series that explores the earlier days of Jay Swan, since the show is set in 1999… and well, that alone makes this a must-see series. Since all of us are undoubtedly curious as to what may Jay, Jay, in the original show and films and the good news is… we don’t have to wait long to see this series. For Acorn TV will be carrying this show exclusively on 9/26/22. And to properly prepare you for the wonder of this old/new chapter in Jay’s life, here is a trailer, details, and some first-look photos for all of you to enjoy, courtesy of Acorn TV.

‘An official selection at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, Mystery Road: Origin will premiere exclusively on Acorn TV, AMC Networks acclaimed streamer devoted to British and international television. This new six-part drama is the prequel to the award-winning Australian noir series and films, Mystery Road, and centers on the early career of broody and complex Indigenous detective Jay Swan. Mystery Road: Origin premieres Monday, September 26 with the first two episodes on Acorn TV - a pair of new episodes will stream weekly every Monday through October 10.
 
The series had its International Premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, as part of its Primetime Program.
 
Mark Coles Smith (Halifax: Retribution, Picnic at Hanging Rock) takes up the iconic role previously portrayed by Aaron Pedersen, as a young Jay Swan in this 1999-set prequel. Arriving at his new post in an Outback mining town, which is home to his estranged father and the woman who will change his life forever (Mary), the freshly minted detective finds himself in the middle of a series of heists by a masked gang and a re-opened cold case with personal significance. Jay faces a tragic death, a burgeoning love, and the brutal reality of being a police officer straddling two worlds.
 
Mystery Road: Origin also stars: Tuuli Narkle (All My Friends Are Racist), Kelton Pell (The Gods of Wheat Street), Salme Geransar (Clickbait), Daniel Henshall (The Babadook), Toby Leonard Moore (Billions), Steve Bisley (Mad Max), Clarence Ryan (Cleverman), Hayley McElhinney (The Heart Guy), Lisa Flanagan (Total Control), and Caroline Brazier (Rake).
 
An Acorn TV Original, Mystery Road: Origin is produced by Bunya Productions for the ABC, with major production investment from Screen Australia First Nations Department in association with Screen West and the Western Australian Screen Fund supported through the State Government of WA’s Royalties for Regions program. Mystery Road: Origin is directed by Dylan River and produced by Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey. Executive producers are Sally Riley, Ivan Sen, Andrew Gregory and Blake Ayshford. The writers are: Steven McGregor, Blake Ayshford, Kodie Bedford, Timothy Lee, and Dylan River, and Director of Photography is Tyson Perkins. Script producer is Blake Ayshford.  The series was filmed on location in western Australia.
 
Both seasons of original hit Australian crime drama, Mystery Road, premiered on Acorn TV (in 2018 and 2020 respectively). Aside from starring Aaron Pedersen (Jack Irish, A Place to Call Home), the main co-stars were Judy Davis (Ratched, Feud) in season 1 and Sofia Helin (The Bridge, Atlantic Crossing) in season 2. It won numerous awards from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), including Best Television Drama Series, as well as awards from the Australian Directors Guild and the Australian Writers Guild. The franchise launched with two acclaimed feature films: Mystery Road (2013) and Goldstone (2016).’

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First Look Photos

Trailer