McLeod’s Daughters Returns: Stan Revival to Film in Regional Victoria, Bringing Up to $35 Million in Investment
One of Australia’s most beloved television dramas is preparing for a new chapter, with Stan confirming that its upcoming revival of McLeod’s Daughters will film almost entirely in regional Victoria.
Announced on October 29 in partnership with VicScreen, the production is projected to generate up to $35 million in Victorian expenditure and support as many as 900 jobs, bringing a significant boost to the state’s screen industry and regional communities.
The new Stan Original series will be produced by Werner Film Productions, part of BBC Studios, with major production investment from VicScreen’s Victorian Production Fund.
Twenty-five years after audiences were first introduced to Tess and Claire McLeod, the revival will return to the fictional Drovers Run cattle station, following a new generation of McLeod women as they navigate life on the land, family relationships and romance.
While the original series was filmed in South Australia, the revival will relocate production to regional Victoria, placing the state’s landscapes and communities at the centre of the next chapter.
Nine Entertainment’s Executive Director of Entertainment, Michael Healy, said the response to the show’s return demonstrated its enduring popularity.
“The overwhelming and passionate response to our initial announcement made it clear that Australia is more than ready for the return of McLeod’s Daughters,” Healy said.
“We are thrilled to bring this iconic series to a new home in regional Victoria, placing its stunning landscapes and vibrant local communities at the very heart of this next chapter.”
Originally premiering in 2001, McLeod’s Daughters became a defining Australian television drama, following two estranged half-sisters who reunited to manage their family’s cattle station.
Created by Posie Graeme-Evans, the series ran for eight seasons and 224 episodes, concluding in 2009. Its popularity extended well beyond Australia, reaching audiences in more than 100 countries.
The upcoming revival aims to preserve the original show’s focus on resilient women and rural Australian life while introducing new characters and contemporary storylines.
Joanna Werner, of Werner Film Productions, said the production team was eager to bring the series to a new location.
“Regional Victoria offers stunning landscapes, outstanding talent and world-class crews, and we can’t wait to partner with VicScreen to showcase the timeless beauty of the Victorian countryside,” Werner said.
Beyond its television legacy, the revival is expected to provide substantial opportunities for Victoria’s screen workforce.
The production will employ a predominantly Victorian crew and offer professional development opportunities for emerging and mid-career practitioners through industry placements, attachments and on-the-job experience.
Regional businesses are also expected to benefit, with increased demand anticipated across accommodation, hospitality, transport, construction and equipment hire.
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher welcomed the announcement, highlighting its potential to strengthen the state’s screen production capabilities.
Led by Victorian producer Joanna Werner, the series is expected to create employment opportunities, develop local talent and contribute to the state’s growing reputation as a destination for major film and television productions.
The announcement forms part of a broader Victorian Government initiative supporting local screen production, with a $6 million boost to VicScreen’s Victorian Production Fund.
The government has also invited regional communities to submit photographs of potential filming locations as the search for suitable towns and landscapes continues.
The revival joins a growing list of Stan and Nine productions filmed in Victoria, including Scrublands, Dear Life and Human Error.
While an official cast, filming commencement date and premiere date have yet to be announced, Stan has confirmed that the series is in development for its streaming platform.
For longtime fans, the return of McLeod’s Daughters offers an opportunity to revisit one of Australian television’s most recognisable settings, while introducing Drovers Run and its next generation of characters to a new audience.