General News
20 April, 2023
Streaming series axed
Lack of finance means show not returning to Cassowary Coast town
A SECOND series of Irreverent filmed at Mission Beach early last year has been axed due to a lack of financial backing.
Producer Tom Hoffie and creator Paddy Macrae have written to residents via the Mission Beach Community Association explaining why they are not returning.
The 10-part series, which followed the story of an American man forced to hide out in a small Australian coastal town posing as a new church reverend, captured the beauty of the Cassowary Coast, showcasing Tully, Silkwood, El Arish and the major drawcard of Mission Beach.
“Despite the best efforts of everyone involved with Irreverent, sadly it won’t be coming back for a second season,” Mr Hoffie and Mr Macrae said in an email.
“The show did exceptionally well in Australia,” they said.
“We stayed in the Netflix top 10 for a month which is outstanding.
“Unfortunately, though, the international financing of the project makes multiple series complex to achieve.”
The two men said everyone involved enjoyed filming the production on the Cassowary Coast.
“Looking back on the show and our experience of life in Mission Beach we feel nothing but enormous gratitude, not just for the North Queensland cast and crew, but also for the traditional owners who welcomed us so graciously to live and work on Djiru country, to the council and to the entire Cassowary Shire people who took us into their homes and businesses and made us a part of their family,” they said.
“We will never forget your kindness and your community.
“From Netflix, from NBC Peacock, from Matchbox Pictures and from the cast and crew, there is nothing but love for the show itself and respect for the people and places.
“So we won’t be coming back for the show, but Mission Beach and surrounds are now forever in our hearts and at the top of all our visit lists.
“See you one day soon hopefully, and very deeply, thank you.”
Division 3 Councillor Trudy Tschui said she was saddened the series had finished.
“It was great to see Mission Beach shine in the 10-part series of Irreverent,” she said.
“Talking with the community, I feel people very much enjoyed being able to spot locals and themselves as well as the sights which make our region so unique.
“I was of course disappointed to hear that the series wouldn’t be continued for another season as council and the community formed such a great relationship with the production company.
“The Cassowary Coast is open to other films/series being made here and would welcome any other productions companies interested in filming in our beautiful backyard,” Cr Tschui said.
