Fourth `Preacher' series to

generate 740 cast & crew jobs

plus $50m boost to economy

AN ESTIMATED $50 million is expected to be injected into the Victorian economy in months to come following a major deal involving the production of the fourth US `Preacher’ television series in Melbourne.

The filming which is to begin soon will also generate about 740 jobs for local cast and crew.

What has been described as “the biggest budget television production to come to Victoria since Steven Spielberg’s The Pacific (2007)”, the deal was procured by the Victorian government via Film Australia.

Filming of the 10-part series will be undertaken in Melbourne and regional Victoria over a period of about seven months.

Pre-production work is expected to begin soon at the Docklands Studios.

DC Comics

According to a Film Victoria media release, Preacher is based on DC Comics’ supernatural comic book series and follows a conflicted preacher who, during a crisis of faith, gains extraordinary power.

The script was developed by producer and writer Sam Catlin (Breaking Bad) who together with executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg has attracted a cult following for the series since it first hit our screens in 2016.

The project is a coup for the Victorian screen industry which will benefit by significant skill development and employment opportunities it generates along with priceless promotional opportunities for the Melbourne as the plotline is based on the city and many of its iconic locations.

Jobs Galore

Some 800 local screen businesses are expected to work on the project along with security, construction, transport and catering representatives.

Preacher stars UK actor Dominic Cooper and is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Playmaker Studios. The series, which is commissioned by the AMC network in the USA, can be seen locally on Stan.

Considered a location of choice for high-end television, Victoria has also hosted other international productions recently including HBO’s The Leftovers and The Cry, co-produced by the BBC.

The project has been supported by the Victorian Government through Film Victoria’s Incentives Program and the Australian Government’s Location Incentive program, in collaboration with Ausfilm.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said: “Preacher will create hundreds of jobs and development opportunities for our local screen industry talent while putting Victoria on screen for the world to see.

Major Coup

“Productions like this aren’t just a boon for our screen industry, but for the state economy too – in this instance to the tune of $50 million.”

Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “Securing the production of Preacher for Victoria is a major coup; it is the biggest budget television production to film in our state in more than a decade.

“We look forward to showcasing the work of our industry internationally, and to seeing Melbourne shine on screens around the world through this series.”

Docklands Studios Melbourne CEO Rod Allan added: “Large scale productions such as Preacher are a perfect fit for Docklands Studios Melbourne and demonstrate our reputation as a world-class facility. We look forward to welcoming the cast and crew to the studio.”

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