*New trailer here**Images available here*
It's the cult-hit survival series Australians can't get enough of. Today, SBS announced the ground-breaking 11-part documentary series Alone Australia will premiere with a double episode on Wednesday 29 March at 7.30pm, and continue weekly from 7.30pm, exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Ten Australian survivalists will be dropped in the remote wilds of Western Tasmania/ lutruwita, completely isolated from the world and each other, stripped of modern possessions, contact and comforts, to self-document their experience - the last one standing winning $250,000. Challenged by the merciless forces of nature, hunger, and perhaps the toughest challenge of all: loneliness, who will survive the longest?
Alone Australia is not your average survival series. There are no scripts, no camera crews, no engineered challenges, no voting, no gimmicks, and no help from the production team. The 10 must do their best to survive and self-document their respective adventures in total isolation, relying completely on themselves for food, water, shelter, and warmth, to stay alive using nothing but what's in their pack and what the habitat around them provides, all against the backdrop of a landscape that presents as many dangers as it does wonders - an unrelentingly cold and wet Tasmanian West Coast winter.
With zero information about the other participants, and no knowledge of how many still remain, participants will push themselves for as long as they can. Only when they reach their absolute personal or physical limits will they tap out', one by one, until only one survivalist remains. It is the ultimate test of human will.
SBS Head of Unscripted Joseph Maxwell said: For those not already indoctrinated, Alone is a worldwide sensation. The US and Scandinavian series have been an extraordinary hit with Australian audiences on SBS, becoming the most successful factual franchise in the history of SBS On Demand with more than 10 million hours consumed.
Now, we're bringing the first ever local version to Australia, exclusive to SBS. Alone Australia is raw, authentic, and truly unique. At its core, its about people - what it is that challenges us, drives us, and motivates us as human beings. The relentless effects of nature, hunger, and solitude, result in a very real examination of who we are as people. Across all the stories we tell at SBS, we want audiences to connect to the stories and experiences of diverse Australians.
ITV Studios Australia Head of Factual Ben Ulm and Executive Producer Riima Daher said: This documentary series is the real deal. There are no production tricks, just ten individuals making ten self-shot documentaries. Every attempt, every win, every mistake, near-miss, loss, and lesson learnt. Every thought, new idea, creation and interaction. Every nostalgic reflection, every wobble, and every victorious celebration is right there on camera, captured by each lone, brave storyteller for us to witness.
Beck, 42
School Teacher, VIC
First Look at Beck here
Beck is a secondary school Science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teacher and grandmother. She's the matriarch of her small family; her partner, four children, two grandchildren and a plethora of farm animals.
An earthmother, Beck grew up with camping and fishing playing a constant role in her life and leisure activities. She feels more at home in the outdoors than anywhere else, and she consciously steers her time in favour of being out bush and throwing out a rod as often as possible.
She's excited to embrace this opportunity to represent women in their 40s and First Nations women of the LGBTQI+ community and, most importantly, to be an inspiration to her children and grandchildren.
I'm resourceful, I'm a problem solver, I'm bloody stubborn, but I'm not a survival expert. I've grown up camping and fishing and been out on Country, I've learned from my Elders and friends who are great outdoors people though I've never been away from my partner; I'm ready to test myself!
Chris, 39
Army Veteran, TAS
First Look at Chris here
Chris lives a self-sufficient coastal lifestyle alone with best friend Billy, his loyal Jack Russell, his extensive vegetable plot and his chooks.
A retired war veteran of Iraq living with PTSD, Chris finds being alone with nature, on the coast and away from the lights and sounds of the city incredibly restorative. An avid fisherman, abalone and crayfish free diver, a self-sustaining beach, ocean and spear fisherman, Chris started creating and sharing content around his fishing escapades as a way to connect with people going through similar trauma after service.
His goal is to push himself to his limits, and in doing so, to demonstrate to others like him that anxiety disorders do not have to define or inhibit activity and that submerging oneself in nature can be a powerful and effective healer.
Whether it's diving in the ocean, camping, or exploring the land, all I know is that a life lived outside in the elements is where we as humans belong. It's the only way for healthy minds. That's where I live.
Duane, 35
Wildlife & Environmental Officer, NSW
First Look at Duane here
Duane is a fun-loving Wildlife and Environmental Officer and keen recreational surfer. His career has spanned from the military to the Fire Service, and now to the land, where he traps animals for research.
A proud First Nations man and a gushy father of two, Duane is constantly seeking a deeper connection to Country and sees Alone as the perfect opportunity to live as his Ancestors did and to bring his family closer to their heritage.
He has a profound appreciation and awe for how his Ancestors thrived on Country for thousands of years, and he hopes to be guided by their footsteps
