Territory arrived without fanfare and has quickly climbed into Netflix’s global Top Ten in more than 70 countries. This Australian series blends family drama with the beauty of the Australian outback. While some viewers might find certain storyline elements over the top, I found the melodrama and the on-screen characters enjoyable. The series centres around the Lawson family and their struggles to maintain control of Marianne Station, the world’s largest cattle station. Family conflicts and external threats from rival factions over the property create multiple storylines that include murder, adultery, Aboriginal land rights, and illegal uranium mining, keeping viewers hooked, with each episode ending on a cliffhanger.
A standout feature of Territory is its breathtaking scenery, superbly captured on film. The series showcases the Northern Territory of Australia, with its vast deserts, wetlands, and dramatic rock formations. Tipperary Station doubled as Marianne Station, while Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features prominently. The stunning visuals are not just a backdrop but a character in their own right. It’s worth noting that the rural scenes were filmed in Mallala in South Australia, which also deserves recognition for the show’s visual splendour.
Anna Torv, who gave a stellar performance as Helen Norville in ABC’s The Newsreader, brings the same level of acting prowess to her role in Territory. Her portrayal of Emily Lawson, a fly stuck in the ointment of a troubled marriage, is strong and tough, making it entirely believable that she could one day run Marianne Station herself. The male leads also deliver solid performances. Michael Dorman as Graham Lawson portrays a man grappling with alcoholism and his place in the family business. It took time to connect with his character who is a self-indulgent fool at the start, but by the third episode, I was won over. Robert Taylor gives the kind of performance you love to hate as the patriarch Colin Lawson, a cattleman who fears losing control and distrusts his daughter-in-law, Emily. Sam Corlett, a charismatic long-haired actor playing Marshall Lawson, is chock-full of rebellion as the prodigal son trying to forget his Lawson bloodline and escape from Marianne Station. Every Western of course needs someone to boo and hiss at, and Territory has Jay Ryan, who plays the handsome bad guy, Campbell Miller, with panache. Campbell, a cattle baron is the antagonist in the series. A role Ryan appears to relish.
Territory, the series, is directed with a firm hand by Wolf Creek’s Greg McLean, who obviously loves playing cowboys and Indians and doesn’t mind spilling blood on screen either. It’s a family saga for Western lovers, and its combination of high drama, awesome Australian scenery, and flawed characters—some you love to hate—makes it a standout series on Netflix.
Whether you’re drawn in by the plot twists or the awe-inspiring landscapes, Territory offers a fun day out at the muster. The shoot-’em-up ending is worth the wait and will have viewers on the edge of their lounge room couches. While it may not have the budget of American shows like Yellowstone or Succession, it boasts the unique backdrop of the Northern Territory and a good-looking, sun-kissed Aussie cast that trumps Hollywood any day.
More Info: https://linktr.ee/noelanderson
Harlequin ink 
Leave a comment