Bay of Fires (TV series)

Dusseldorp stars as the main protagonist Stella, who is placed in witness protection in the fictitious Mystery Bay (set inland from west coast's Strahan).

Stella tries to protect her children, Iris (Ava Caryofyllis) and Otis (Imi Mbedla), while adjusting to the family's new circumstances.

Other main characters are local handyman Jeremiah (Toby Leonard Moore), federal agent Airini (Rachel House), criminal matriarch Frankie (Kerry Fox) and patriarchal cult leader Thaddeus (Matt Nable).

[3] Upon arrival at the isolated and unwelcoming town Stella finds most residents are suspicious, devious, criminally inclined and in witness protection.

Frankie is a criminal matriarch overseeing numerous illegal activities including drug dealing and murder.

[8] Dusseldorp, a Tasmanian resident (since 2018) and Knight (in Melbourne) formulated the initial premise via Zoom meetings during COVID-19 lockdowns.

[16] The Tasmanian Government via Screen Tasmania provided $1.5 million initial funding in October 2021 to begin production.

[11][14] Tasmanian locations used were Queenstown: aerodrome (as Junna's Crossing airstrip), interiors, street scenes and main accommodation base for cast and crew; Sandy Bay: big city scenes; Strahan: school and Stella's house and Zeehan: Mystery Bay main street.

[27] TV Tonight's David Knox rated Bay of Fires at four-out-of-five stars and finds the "backdrop of a fading minetown main street and this colourfully quirky cast is reason enough to get some answers to its perplexing premise.

"[5] Screen Hub's Mel Campbell felt the show "reels between comedy and drama in a stressful and frustrating way.

[6] TV Blackbox' Kevin Perry observed it "skilfully blends dark humour and unexpected plot twists into a captivating narrative”.

[49] Actor Matt Nable who depicts Thaddeus reflected on the series, "[it's] a really interesting concept and a really different role.

"[50] Brisbane Times' Bridget McManus praised Rachel House's performance as Airini, who "makes us quake and grin... as a mysterious authority figure.