Deadloch Season Two Ventures to the Northern Territory with Crocs and Comedy
The Emmy-nominated Australian crime comedy Deadloch is back for a highly anticipated second season, swapping the southern gloom of Tasmania for the muggy heat of the Northern Territory. Co-creators Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan have crafted a new adventure filled with big characters, comic set-pieces, and, of course, plenty of crocodiles.
From Tasmania to the Top End: A Serendipitous Shift
After the success of the first season, the finale naturally led the series to the Northern Territory. Upon arrival, McCartney and McLennan quickly realized the potential of this vibrant location. "I always had a pretty firm regard for crocodiles," McCartney admits, "but once I got up there and I saw one, I was like, 'This is gonna become my entire personality.'" This inspiration drove them to immerse themselves in the local culture, booking three croc tours in a single day to capture the essence of the region.
The fictional town of Barra Creek, with its pub, police station, and one bin, serves as the new backdrop. Its biggest industry is croc tours, plagued by a rivalry between a tired family business and a slick new operation run by a celebrity fisher, played by Luke Hemsworth. The plot thickens with missing backpackers and unresolved personal baggage, setting the stage for another engaging mystery.
Creating Barra Creek: The Real Town of Batchelor
To bring Barra Creek to life, the production took over Batchelor, a small town an hour's drive from Darwin with a population of less than 400. Known for winning the NT's Tidiest Town award three times, Batchelor was transformed with 93 cubic metres of red dirt trucked in to match other shooting locations. The local pub became the Barra Creek Tavern, adorned with sun-bleached signage and populated by extras from the area, including Ian, a part-time bore sinker who looks like Gandalf in Hard Yakka.
Nina Oyama, who returns as constable Abby, notes the shift in tone: "The last season was very dark, a lot of night scenes. Tassie noir, they called it. And this one's sort of like a spaghetti western – maybe not a spaghetti western, it's a schnitty western." This change reflects the brighter, more humorous atmosphere of the Top End.
Social Commentary Amidst the Humour
While Deadloch is known for its comedy, the creators didn't shy away from addressing serious issues. The Northern Territory's complex history with law enforcement and racial tensions simmers in the background. Macho local detectives in aviators and tight chinos recall real-life cop text chains exposed in inquiries, adding depth to the narrative.
Shari Sebbens plays Miki, an Indigenous ranger and old schoolmate of Eddie, who highlights the stakes for First Nations characters. "If a blackfella was bumping off every land-stealing whitefella, 80% of this town would be dead," she tells Eddie, underscoring the show's engagement with Australia's troubled past. McLennan emphasizes, "It felt like we've got one shot to tell a story. It would be very strange not to address any of that."
Daft Humour and Croc Encounters
True to its roots, the production balanced these heavy themes with lighthearted moments. The Kates encountered a five-metre crocodile named Two Dogs at a pub in Bynoe, marveling at the casual treatment of such a formidable predator. For the show's mystery croc, they opted for a humorous name: Triple-pet, staying true to their mission of dialing up the comedy.
With its blend of crime, comedy, and social insight, Deadloch season two promises to captivate audiences. The series streams globally on Prime Video from 20 March, offering a unique take on the whodunnit genre set against the stunning yet treacherous backdrop of Australia's Northern Territory.
