The Last of Us star is back home, filming a new ABC crime drama on the Gold Coast
You might've seen the trucks roll in before sunrise and the boom mics peeking over shopfronts. That low hum of a set at work. It's not your imagination - a homegrown, award-winning Gold Coast actor from The Last of Us has returned to shoot a new crime series right here.
The show's called Dustfall, an ABC drama now in production on the Coast. It's the kind of homecoming people in the local screen scene quietly hope for - a big-name lead, an Australian story, and crews clocking solid days close to home.
$10 million flowing through Queensland - here's what that actually means
Screen Queensland says the production will inject about $10 million into the state's economy. That's not just a number on a press release. It's hotel nights, unit vans, carpenters on overtime, cafés opening an hour earlier, and costume dry-cleaning runs at odd hours.
It's also continuity - keeping camera teams, grips, gaffers, and runners in work between the next international blockbuster and the indie feature that shoots down the road.
What we know about Dustfall
- It's an ABC crime drama, filming across the Gold Coast.
- The lead is a The Last of Us star who grew up on the Coast - a genuine back-to-roots moment.
- Key plot details are under wraps, but expect a grounded, character-first story with a distinctly Queensland edge.
And yes, there'll be more casting news. These things roll out in waves. For now, the focus is on getting scenes in the can while the weather plays nice.
Why this matters for the local screen industry
- Jobs and training: Departments build resumes, juniors step up, and specialists stay sharp.
- Showcasing locations: The Gold Coast can double for plenty of places - and the series will likely prove it again.
- Confidence: A steady pipeline keeps crews here, not on planes chasing the next gig.
Maybe it's just timing, but productions like this send a simple message: Queensland is open for business, and the Gold Coast isn't just a one-off stop - it's a base.
The bigger picture
Screen funding and location support continue to pull projects north. If you want the formal stuff - incentives, studio capacity, and support programs - you'll find it at Screen Queensland. For broadcast and distribution details as they land, keep an eye on the ABC.
Here's what this could mean: more series setting up shop here, more crews staying put, and more stories that feel like they come from this place - not just pass through it.
What to watch for next
- Official release timeline and first-look images.
- Additional cast announcements and location reveals.
- Local extras calls - those always pop up fast.
Until then, if you're near a cordoned-off street and hear a clapboard crack through the morning, that's Dustfall in motion. A big story getting told, at home, by people who know this light and these streets by heart.
