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Crime does pay for Nine's new drama

Queensland Arts Minister Rod Welford has welcomed the Nine Network's latest television drama, The Strip, to the state.

Mr Welford said the 13-episode drama series, from the producers of Wildside and East West 101, would be shot entirely on location on the Gold Coast from next week.

The series will centre on a criminal investigation squad as they expose organised crime amid the glitz and sleaze of the Gold Coast's glitter strip.

"Principal photography for the first episode of The Strip begins on Monday 19 May," Mr Welford said.

"Our Government's Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC) is providing production incentives to New Wave Entertainment, who will produce the series for the Nine Network.

"The Strip will create jobs for 160 of Queensland's world-class crew, giving them the rare opportunity to gain experience on a major television series without leaving home.

"The production will generate around $9 million in economic activity.

"Naturally we're excited to get behind the Nine Network's next drama series, which comes hot on the heels of hit series Underbelly and the high-rating, Queensland-based production Sea Patrol."

Aaron Jeffery (McLeod's Daughters), Vanessa Gray (All Saints), Simone McAullay (Blue Heelers), and Bobby Morley (Home and Away) will star in The Strip, under the direction of Shawn Seet, Ken Cameron, Ian Barry and Garth Maxwell.

Mr Welford said The Strip was the latest in a long string of productions to choose the state. "This new series is a significant addition to Queensland's impressive production slate for 2007-08, which totals $120 million and is made up primarily of locally-generated feature films.

"One such feature is Subdivision, from Brisbane-based Freshwater Pictures. Principal photography is now winding up after a six-week shoot on location at Hervey Bay."

May 16, 2008
Press release from PFTC