Bay of Fires

I think a lot of people are completely missing the point of Bay of Fires. It is supposed to be a show that takes a family completely out of their comfort zone and drops them into a sinister village, in Tasmania, fully of quirky and mysterious characters.

The first couple of episodes are still introducing characters and setting up the situation. The cast is very strong, with some top performers, and they're all doing a great job so far.

The village is suitably grim and foreboding, the locations are really good and the cinematography captures the mode really well.

So ignore the negative reviews (written after ONE EPISODE, ridiculous, right?) and give it a chance.

Loved the opening episode of this new Tassie series.

What a great mix of comedy and drama all filmed in beautiful locations.

Loved that there were familiar faces in interesting roles Marta Dusseldorp, Stephen Curry ( dodgiest real estate agent ever 😂), and Bob Anderson ( just to name a few) all ending up In small town Mystery Bay. Loved the depiction of small town life miles from anywhere- very real and accurate.

I can't wait to see how the story line and characters of Bay of Fires evolve. If all episodes were available I would binge them today. This is quirky Australian comedy drama at its best!

I was really looking forward to this series but when I found out it was filmed in Queenstown, the other side of Tasmania from the actual Bay of Fires (look it up, nothing to do with fires), it dulled my appetite a bit. The first episode was watchable despite the obvious plot flaws, and I made it half-way through the second episode before I started fading fast. Painting the locals as scheming, inhospitable but colourful characters seems lazy and hackneyed, and a tad too Americana for my taste. Adding the obvious potential love interest - the only rational person in town - is one-dimensional and clunky, and the dodgy real estate agent is too cliched for words. With all that talent, couldn't the series have been more original and tighter? It's a no from me. I'm gratified that the Apple Isle is attracting more filming activity, and the Tasmanian scenery is often touted as the real star of anything filmed in my home state but it needs support.

Bay of Fires is a fresh take on the dramedy genre with moments of high tension as well as witty dialogue that leaves your stomach sore. Marta gives an incredible performance as the hapless Anika as she attempts to navigate family, moving house and murderous Russians. The rest of the cast look promising in their various roles as the quirky townsfolk of this curious town. Most notably Stephen Curry as the hilariously anxious real estate agent. The Tasmanian landscape is showcased in all its raw glory which, alongside the cinematography, makes for a beautiful watch. The first episode does well as an establisher, leaving many questions for the audience to keep them hanging on for episode two. I for one am excited to see what happens next.

It's so great to see the magnificence of western Tassie in this dark and quirky new series. And that's before the story even gets started!

Setting the audience up with all sorts of curious plot and sub plots, I'm looking forward to seeing how this series unfurls. I think if I was to watch the show a few times, I might discover new things every time. Jam packed with content and some great one liners.

A terrific collection of Australian actors too with a clear investment in local talent. This above anything else is to be commended. And thanks for making it feel very Tasmanian too...

Roll on Episode 2!