Treasure & Dirt
| Treasure & Dirt | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | Treasure & Dirt by Chris Hammer |
| Screenplay by | Matt Cameron, with Kate Mulvany |
| Directed by | Madeleine Gottlieb |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Rebecca Summerton |
| Production company | Easy Tiger Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC Television |
| Release | 19 July 2026 |
Treasure & Dirt is an Australian crime drama and psychological thriller series for ABC Television, released on 19 July 2026. It is also going to be broadcast on BBC One in the UK later in the year. The series was produced by Easy Tiger and based on the novel written by Chris Hammer. A dying opal town hiding many secrets is pulled into a murder investigation where the townspeople are more hindrance than help.
Plot
A dying opal town in the middle of the desert is left needing answers after a body is found in the local mine. Ivan Lucic is sent to investigate alongside local officer Nell Buchanan and through the investigation they find out just how truly warped the town is.[1]
It was described as "an atmospheric, multi-layered, psychological thriller where the isolation, heat and barren landscape add to the many challenges the investigative team must overcome to solve a rivetingly complex crime" by Sue Deeks of BBC Acquisitions.[2]
Cast
- Michael Dorman as Ivan Lucic
- Liv Hewson as Narelle 'Nell' Buchanan
- Sarah Peirse as Sergeant Patricia Richter
- Elena Carapetis as Billie
- Glenda Linscott as Packenham
- Kelton Pell as Ray Penuch
- Ling Cooper Tang as Lady Mayoress Lydia Tallon
- Mark Mitchinson as Mayor Doug
- Steve Le Marquand as Garry Ahern
- Kris McQuade as Colleen Delaney
- Bessie Holland as Dr Carole Ness, forensic pathologist
- Nic Darrigo as Dazzler
- Thomas M. Wright as David "the Seer"
- Dean O'Gorman as The Irishman
- Nathan Jones as Man Mountain
- Eamon Farren as Robby Inglis
Production
On 20 November 2025, the series was first announced at ABC's 2026 Upfronts with the drama slate programs for the following year.[3] Funding had been secured from Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation.[4] On 21 November, it was acquired by BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Sphere Abacus in November 2025.[2]
The series is based on a novel by Chris Hammer, titled Treasure & Dirt in Australia and Opal Country in the UK.[2] Matt Cameron, along with co-writer Kate Mulvany, wrote the screenplay.[5] Cameron wrote all six episodes apart from episode 2, which was penned by Mulvany.[6]
Treasure & Dirt was filmed on location in Coober Pedy, South Australia, bringing in over 100 jobs to the local economy.[4][7] Edward Goldner was responsible for the cinematography, and the series was edited by Tyson Williams.[5]
The series is directed by Madeleine Gottlieb and produced by Rebecca Summerton,[8] via production studio Easy Tiger Productions. The executive producers were Ian Collie and Rob Gibson for Easy Tiger, along with Matt Cameron.[2] It was made for the ABC in association with the BBC and the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), supported by the SAFC and ABC TV.[2]
Original music was composed by Jackson Milas, with the soundtrack produced and released through Sonar Music.[9][10][11][12]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Night Is Perfect For Ratting" | Madeleine Gottlieb | Matt Cameron[6] | 19 July 2026 |
| 2 | "All The Creatures" | Madeleine Gottlieb | Kate Mulvany[6] | 26 July 2026 |
| 3 | "The Dead Tree" | Madeleine Gottlieb | Matt Cameron[6] | 2 August 2026 |
| 4 | "Ouroboros" | Madeleine Gottlieb | Matt Cameron[6] | 9 August 2026 |
| 5 | "The Butcher" | Madeleine Gottlieb | Matt Cameron[6] | 16 August 2026 |
| 6 | "The Ninth Circle" | Madeleine Gottlieb | Matt Cameron[6] | 23 August 2026 |
Release
On 18 June 2026, ABC released the trailer for the series. On 19 July 2026, the series aired all episodes on ABC iview.[13][14][15]
Reception
Luke Buckmaster of The Guardian rated the series 5 out of 5 stars, calling it "a gloriously strange detective mystery, unlike any you've seen before", and "atmospherically... very well-judged, with a faded, weather-beaten look – sparse but evocative".[5]
David Knox of TV Tonight rated the series 4 out 5 stars stated that "While it is unapologetically slow-burn, the beauty of this seared universe is in the casting of its kooky characters".[16]
Journalist Craig Mathieson for Sydney Morning Herald also rated it the same praising the performances of the actors and the ABC for taking a ambitious risk with the series.[17]
Another rated the same came from Anthony Morris of Screen Hub who praised the direction, the actors and the storyline stating "As a mystery, its solid work. It finds its way towards being something a bit stranger and more powerful than the usual small town murder investigation".[18]
References
- ↑ Knox, David (20 November 2025). "Treasure & Dirt now filming for ABC Drama". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "BBC acquires Treasure & Dirt, the latest novel by crime writer Chris Hammer to be adapted for TV". BBC. 21 November 2025. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- ↑ Knox, David (20 November 2025). "Upfronts 2026: ABC: seriously entertaining with new scripted, kids, docos & more". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- 1 2 "ABC crime series Treasure & Dirt brings thrills and intrigue to Coober Pedy, along with jobs and economic investment. Extensive consultation with SAPOL officer Nicola Toone to ensure authenticity". FilmInk. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 Buckmaster, Luke (20 July 2026). "Treasure & Dirt review – a gloriously strange detective mystery, unlike any you've seen before". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 July 2026. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Reviews Pile in for 'Treasure & Dirt'!". Cameron's. 21 July 2026. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- ↑ "ABC crime series Treasure & Dirt brings thrills and intrigue to Coober Pedy, along with jobs and economic investment". SAFC. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Treasure & Dirt". Screen Australia. 11 April 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Treasure & Dirt". Sonar Work. 23 June 2026. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- ↑ "Jackson Milas". Sonar Music. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
- ↑ "Jackson Milas". Album of The Year. 19 July 2026. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
- ↑ "Treasure & Dirt". Spotify. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
- ↑ Knox, David (18 June 2026). "Airdate: Treasure & Dirt". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
- ↑ Molk, Steve (19 June 2026). "ABC announce new Aussie crime drama TREASURE AND DIRT". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "New South Australian ABC crime drama Treasure & Dirt sees secrets unearthed in Coober Pedy". SAFC. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 25 June 2026. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
- ↑ Knox, David (23 July 2026). "Review: Treasure & Dirt". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
- ↑ Mathieson, Craig (16 July 2026). "This intoxicating new ABC crime drama will seriously do your head in". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
- ↑ Morris, Anthony (20 July 2026). "Treasure & Dirt review: an outback murder mystery with grit". Screen Hub. Retrieved 24 July 2026.