The rugged beauty of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges will be on display around the nation – and around the world – when Season 3 of hit TV show The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) goes to air.
Production on the new season has begun, with cast members converging on SA to film at the South Australian Film Corporation’s Adelaide headquarters as well as the Port Augusta RFDS base and the Flinders Ranges town of Quorn.
The program was previously filmed out of Broken Hill, but has made the move while that town’s airport, runway and RFDS base are upgraded.
It’s good news for the South Australian economy, with the production expected to inject more than $10 million into the local economy and create 450 jobs across cast, crew and extras.
Co-created by Ian Meadows, Executive Produced by Sara Richardson and Julie McGauran and prod
uced by South Australian Producer Lisa Scott, RFDS will have a predominantly South Australian crew.
The lead cast are all set to return including Emma Hamilton, Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Justine Clarke, Ash Ricardo, Emma Harvie, Rodney Afif, Jack Scott, Sofia Nolan and Thomas Weatherall.
The series, which won the 2024 Logie Award for Best Drama Program, is inspired by the heroic real-life stories of doctors, nurses, pilots and support staff of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The new season picks up one year later as the RFDS family is forced to grapple with the fallout of choices and deal with the domino effects of a tragedy.
Executive Producer and Endemol Shine Australia’s Head of Scripted Sara Richardson said the production company was “delighted to be filming in South Australia - showcasing the beauty of the state and the Flinders Ranges to not only the rest of the country, but around the world".
“It is a pleasure to be working closely with the SAFC, and the production is so appreciative of their support, facilities and commitment," she said.
“We are extremely grateful to the communities of Quorn and the Port Augusta RFDS base for being so welcoming and giving this show a home away from home.”
