Is Netflix’s Territory based on a true story?

As a passionate connoisseur of Australian storytelling, I must say that Territory has left me utterly captivated and intrigued! The blend of contemporary Australian drama with timeless mythology is truly unique and refreshing. It’s like watching a modern-day Henry IV or King Lear unfold amid the rugged outback landscapes – an experience I wouldn’t have imagined possible!

A number of talented Australians such as Anna Torv, Michael Dorman, and Sam Corlett are now appearing in Territory, an engrossing six-part series on Netflix that follows the struggle for dominance over the globe’s biggest cattle ranch.

This drama, orchestrated by Timothy Lee (known for Mystery Road, Bump) and Ben Davies (renowned for Bondi Rescue, The First Inventors, Outback Ringer), kicks off with the demise of Daniel Lawson, the presumptive heir of Marianne Station. What follows is a fierce struggle among outside entities as they maneuver to seize control in its aftermath.

However, despite their strong resolve, the Lawson family is divided, making them vulnerable to outsiders who aim to capitalize on their age-old disputes and hidden truths for personal profit.

As I sat down with GQ Australia discussing my work on Territory, I couldn’t help but express my admiration for the dedication and enthusiasm of the team, particularly Timothy Lee, the writer. Immediately, he plunged headfirst into the project, demonstrating a level of commitment that truly resonated with me as a fellow movie enthusiast.

In our conversation, we shared personal stories about our families, focusing on areas we wished to heal within our lineages. It felt as if this narrative carried the weight of ancient tales since he had such a deep appreciation for Shakespearean works and Arthurian legends.

I examined Henry IV, as well as the Arthurian legends involving a love triangle between Sharnie, Rich, and myself.

Furthermore, King Lear made it clear he was particularly interested in the bond between Robert Taylor’s character, Colin Lawson, and his eldest son, played by Michael Dorman, Graham Lawson.

He added: “I’d never seen that kind of tapestry of myth and story told in a very grounded Australian way.”

Is the area bustling with activity, or is any of it grounded in the real world? Stick around to discover the truth.

Is Netflix’s Territory based on a true story?

The television series “Territory” draws some inspiration from Anna Creek Station, a location found in the north of South Australia, approximately 846 kilometers from Adelaide.

Anna Creek Station spans an impressive 15,746 square kilometers, making it the biggest in the world, and accommodates approximately 17,000 head of cattle.

In comparison, it’s approximately as large as Belgium, and even surpasses Texas’s King Ranch by a factor of over seven times.

During a stroll along the beach amidst the pandemic, co-creator Ben Davies and executive producer Rob Gibson found themselves invigorated by the idea of creating an action-packed, high-stakes drama with a large scale, set on a cattle ranch – a region rarely showcased on screen.

The scene was starkly different from what we typically imagined, as instead of the rustic settings of the Top End, we found ourselves amidst the vibrant crowd at Bondi, where people bustled by in sportswear, carrying surfboards, while Rob and I envisioned tales involving individuals dressed in jeans, boots, and flannel shirts,” he noted.

I’ve come across some places that have their own unique tales, and Anna Creek is no exception. Much like Marianne Station, it’s experienced its own share of theatrical events, but thankfully, without the same level of pyrotechnics.

In 2015, the future Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison (who was then the treasurer), prevented the sale of an estate that is currently standing there, a property owned by the beef company S Kidman & Co at that time.

In simple terms, two Chinese businesses found themselves competing fiercely over a piece of property. However, since this land is located within an area used for military weapon testing, it was decided that selling it would not align with the nation’s security interests.

Jump ahead to April 2016; a consortium owned by China put forward a bid for the land, but yet again, the deal was halted.

Later that same year, approval was granted, and mining tycoon Gina Rinehart – wealthiest individual in Australia – established a business partnership with a prominent Chinese property firm.

But Anna Creek was not part of that deal, and was instead acquired by the Williams Cattle Company.

2024-10-24 10:37

Is Netflix’s Territory based on a true story?

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