Netflix has celebrated the global premiere of the Boy Swallows Universe with a red-carpet event in Brisbane.
Taking to the carpet were Australian stars Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin, Bryan Brown, Felix Cameron and Lee Tiger Halley, joined by author Trent Dalton.
Along were series producers Andrew Mason and Troy Lum, director of content Netflix ANZ Que Minh Luu, Netflix VP of content (APAC ex-India) Minyoung Kim, the supporting cast and crew.
The highly anticipated eight-part series, based on the bestselling book, was produced by Sydney-based Brouhaha Entertainment for the streaming giant.
Boy Swallows Universe follows working-class Brisbane teenager Eli Bell in a whirlwind story about drug addiction, ex-cons, poverty, violence and the discovery of hope through the power of love.
Trent Dalton with actor Felix Cameron
Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker, Felix Cameron, Lee Tiger Halley, Phoebe Tonkin, Bryan Brown, Minyoung Kim, Que Minh Luu, Trent Dalton and Hannah Pembroke
Producer Andrew Mason said he was delighted to be bringing the production to Queensland “with the very best of facilities, locations and world-class crew.”
Dalton, who also served as executive producer of the series, said following on from a critically-acclaimed stage adaptation in 2021 by Queensland Theatre as part of Brisbane Festival, it was a logical next step to take Boy Swallows Universe to the screen, using Brisbane locations and local crew.
“It just makes sense. This adaptation to the screen couldn’t happen anywhere else, and I am proud to be part of this exciting adventure on my home turf,” said Dalton.
“Boy Swallows Universe is my very deep and personal love letter to my city of Brisbane. I’m so incredibly honoured to know the Queensland Government and Screen Queensland is helping us mail that letter around the world.”
Rob Carlton, Andrew Mason and Christopher Baker
Zachary Wan and HaiHa Le
Kylie Munnich, former Screen Queensland CEO, said at the back in July the series shines a spotlight on Brisbane as a sought-after screen location as well as one of the state’s prominent filmmaking hubs.
“Brisbane has earned its reputation as a one-stop-shop for production, including film-friendly locations, experienced local crew, renowned post-production facilities and a fantastic studio facility in Screen Queensland Studios,” said Munnich.
See also: Boy Swallows Universe Netflix adaptation to film in Queensland
Boy Swallows Universe premieres globally on 11 January, on Netflix.
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Top image left to right: Travis Fimmel, Felix Cameron, Lee Tiger Halley, Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin, Bryan Brown and Trent Dalton