Popular Network 10 and Nickelodeon children's series Rock Island Mysteries has returned to the Gold Coast, with cameras rolling now on the second season.
There will be 20 new episodes of the Fremantle Australia production filmed over the next five months, supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland's Screen Finance program together with major production investment from Screen Australia.
Newly appointed Screen Queensland CEO Courtney Gibson said the series presents valuable return business from global production giant Fremantle Australia, whose other hit productions include Heartbreak High, Neighbours and Wentworth.
"We're so pleased to have Rock Island Mysteries back on the Gold Coast! The second season sees the continuation of around 150 Queensland cast and crew jobs and will generate approximately $11.2 million direct spend in the state - delivering a total of over $20 million investment across the life of the franchise so far.
"The continuing partnership between Fremantle, Nickelodeon, Network Ten and Screen Queensland also supports an illustrious team of Queensland-based key creatives, along with Heads of Department and crew."
Brett Popplewell, Head of Drama at Fremantle Australia, said they were delighted to start filming again in Queensland.
"Bringing Rock Island Mysteries back to Queensland for a second season is a real thrill for us. The Queensland crews are second-to-none and in a very competitive market we're proud to have so many returning crew, as well as some well-established craftspeople joining us," said Popplewell.
"This season we're shooting at Pinnacle Studios in Helensvale where we're able to access exceptional facilities on both studio stages and spacious, well-appointed offices."
Popplewell also said that the pristine beaches and lush hinterland of the City of Gold Coast region present the ideal filming locations for the fantasy setting of Rock Island.
"The Gold Coast provides us with an astonishing array of unique locations, and we'll again traverse beaches, quarries, marinas and use areas on Mt Tamborine in place of Rock Island's mysterious jungles. For a kids mystery adventure show set in a tropical paradise, we couldn't ask for a better world to make Rock Island Mysteries."
Rock Island Mysteries is produced by Series Producer Timothy Powell and Jonah Klein of Fremantle Australia. Returning Queensland key creatives include Directors Jovita O'Shaughnessy (Darby and Joan, Home and Away) and Evan Clarry (The Bureau of Magical Things, Mako Mermaids), as well as Script Producer Stephen Vagg, Director of Photography Andrew Conder and Casting Director Tom McSweeney.
The series follows irrepressible Aussie teenager Taylor Young (Gold Coast-based singer/actor Alexa Curtis) and her friends, who are driven by a renewed motivation to find Taylor's missing Uncle Charlie after they reconnected in a mysterious portal to another world.
Currently nominated for the 2022 AACTA Award for Best Children's Program, Season 1 premiered on 10 Shake in May this year and has since screened on Nickelodeon in Australia, New Zealand, U.K., U.S. and around the world.
Rock Island Mysteries Season 2 is set for a 2023 release on Network 10, while Season 1 is currently streaming on 10 Play, Paramount+ in Australia and Latin America and on Binge.
Other productions supported via Screen Queensland's Screen Finance program include Upright season 2 now on Foxtel, Mistletoe Ranch which opens in cinemas from 17 November, Barrumbi Kids launching on NITV from 18 November and recently wrapped comedy series Limbo, premiering next year on ABC TV.
