Tony Ayres Turns Tasmania’s Gothic Landscape Into Emotional Backdrop for Netflix’s ‘The Survivors’: ‘Twisty Turny, Fun, Compelling Murder Mystery’
VarietyThursday, June 5, 2025 at 12:03:07 PM
Tony Ayres, the creator behind Netflix hits like Clickbait and Stateless, faced a tricky adaptation challenge with Jane Harper’s bestselling novel The Survivors. The book’s story could fit into a two-hour movie, but Netflix wanted a six-episode series. His solution? Amplify the emotional tension—especially between a guilt-ridden son and his unforgiving mother—while using Tasmania’s moody, gothic landscapes as a haunting backdrop. The result? A "twisty-turny, fun, compelling murder mystery" that leans into drama as much as thrills.
Editor’s Note: Adapting books for TV is always a balancing act—stretch too much, and the story feels thin; stick too close, and it might not justify the runtime. Ayres’ approach—deepening character dynamics and leveraging Tasmania’s eerie beauty—shows how a creative team can expand a story without losing its soul. For fans of Harper’s book or Ayres’ past work, this could be a must-watch. Plus, it’s another win for Tasmania’s growing reputation as a cinematic mood-setter.
— Curated via WP Now’s
