South Australian Film Corporation CEO Richard Harris has regretfully noted Channel Nine’s Tuesday 20 November announcement that series eight of the popular Australian rural drama McLeod’s Daughters, currently in production, will be its final.
‘McLeod’s Daughters has been a wonderful television program which has highlighted South Australia’s beautiful locations to more than 200 countries around the world. It has also given many different film practitioners an opportunity to work on a high quality TV production right here in South Australia.’
McLeod’s Daughters has been shot entirely on location in South Australia including the original 1996 telemovie which led to the first series that was launched on the Nine Network in August 2001. The last of the twenty two episodes of series eight will finish shooting around Easter 2008.
Over the course of the 10 year relationship McLeod’s Daughters has had with South Australia, the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) has invested approximately $2.2 million in the production. During this period McLeod’s Daughters have directly spent over $71 million in the state with an economic benefit to the state of over $154 million.
In a media release issued by Channel Nine, creator and executive producer of McLeod’s Daughters, Posie Graeme-Evans said, ‘I have always maintained that the series should finish on a high, and while it was still loved by the audience. Based on this belief, in conjunction with Channel Nine, we have come to the decision, that series eight will be the last.’
SAFC Chair Cheryl Bart said ‘McLeod’s Daughters has been a beloved part of the Australian television for many years. The fact it has run for eight series is testament to the original creative vision and the continued high production values Posie and her team have maintained throughout the program’s duration. Many cast and crew have used the experiences they’ve gained working on McLeod’s to create fantastic Australian and international careers in the film and television industries.’
[release from South Australian Film Corporation]