Outback drama
TV series ‘Mystery Road’ follows detective in remote Australian town
Aaron Pedersen enjoys the challenges in film and TV.
The Australian actor stars in the Acorn TV series “Mystery Road,” as Jay Swan.
It’s a character he’s been playing for the past five years.
“Jay is the type of character that allows us as artists to have the conversations on the country,” he says. “There’s a lot of mystery into what Jay deals with. It’s intriguing to me as an actor, as well.”
“Mystery Road” is directed by Rachel Perkins and set against Australia’s majestic landscapes.
It follows Pedersen as detective Jay Swan, who is sent to the remote Outback town of Patterson for what he thinks will be a simple investigation into the disappearance of two young jackaroos — workers on a sheep or cattle station.
He is partnered with tough local cop Emma James, played by
Judy Davis, and their investigation gradually peels back the layers of the town, as Swan’s ability to hunt beneath the surface reveals crimes and miscarriages of justice that stretch back into Patterson’s history.
In solving the mystery of the missing boys, the pair, as well as the town, learn a hard lesson: that you have to be truthful about your past to understand your present, and to have any sort of future.
The six-part series began streaming on Aug. 20 and has become a hit.
“I’m very proud of the project,” Pedersen says. “We’ve had two films and now the TV series dealing with Jay. It’s really getting some mileage now that people are stumbling onto it.”
Playing Jay Swan came to Pedersen in an organic way.
“The creators of the show began this story with Jay, and it became compelling,” he says. “There’s a lot of mystery. Jay is a platform for helping the country in Australia mature and grow. He’s caught between two worlds that he’s bringing together.”
Pedersen is one of Australia’s hottest actors today.
In addition to “Mystery Road,” he is also returns to the series “Jack Irish,” which also stars Guy Pearce. The new season began airing on Sept. 10.
In that series, he plays Cam Delray.
That series follows Irish, played by Pearce, as he ventures to find a missing person, only to be later framed for his murder.
“I’ve been drawn to stories that allow actors time to tell a story,” Pedersen says. “These characters show that people are the same no matter what. It’s these stories that I am drawn to.”
SEND ME YOUR TIPS:
If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @ agomezART.