“Rock Island Mysteries” will premiere on Paramount’s free-to-air television channel 10 Shake on May 2 at 5 p.m.
The teen “mystery drama comedy series” will also be available on the free streaming video on demand platform, 10 Play.
The show was previously announced as “Taylor’s Island” and is a Fremantle Media production for Paramount Australia and Nickelodeon International. It secured major production funding from Screen Australia and support from Screen Queensland.
“Rock Island Mysteries” follows the adventures of 14-year-old Taylor and her friends as they explore the secrets of the beautiful and mysterious Rock Island. Each episode tackles a new mystery, with the series spurred by Taylor’s fascination with her Uncle Charlie’s disappearance and determination to find out what happened to him.
It was shot on the Gold Coast, which is increasingly attracting both local and international productions, including Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” film and a deal with Network 10 stablemate “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette”.
When the show was announced as “Taylor’s Island”, the production said there would be a series of 20 episodes, each running for 22 minutes.
At the time, Beverley McGarvey, chief content officer and executive vice president of Paramount ANZ – Network 10’s parent company – said the show marked the first partnership with Nickelodeon International.
“We are thrilled to be announcing our first partnership with Nickelodeon International to create “Taylor’s Island”. This new original live-action series further cements our commitment to premium children’s content. It will be a fantastic addition and complement our diverse, entertaining and accessible slate of children’s programming already available on Network 10’s free-to-air channel, 10 Shake,” she said.
Sally Caplan, head of content at Screen Australia, also spoke highly of the show’s prospects in March last year.
“We’re thrilled to support this compelling and imaginative children’s series from the experienced team at Fremantle and an exciting group of established and emerging Australian writing,” she said. “With its playful storylines and diverse cast of characters, I’m confident it will engage young audiences here and around the world.”
Taylor is played by Alexa Curtis, and the show also features Noah Akhigbe, Inessa Tan, Ryan Yeates and Izellah Connelly.
