One of South Australia’s biggest TV success stories is returning to screens but the next generation of McLeod’s Daughters will no longer call the state home.
More than 25 years after the beloved rural drama first aired, Stan and Victoria’s screen agency VicScreen have announced the series will be revived with filming to take place almost entirely in regional Victoria.
The decision marks a significant shift for a franchise long synonymous with South Australia, where the original series was filmed and where the fictional Drovers Run became one of the state’s most recognisable screen locations.
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The announcement is likely to stir mixed emotions among longtime fans, coming less than a year after the death of beloved cast member Rachael Carpani.
The actress, who played Jodi Fountain and became one of the show’s breakout stars, died in December 2025 aged 45 after a battle with chronic illness.
For eight seasons, McLeod’s Daughters showcased South Australia’s rolling countryside to audiences around the world, with Kingsford near Gawler the setting of the fictitious Drovers Run and helping turn the historic property into a tourist drawcard for devoted fans.
Rachael Carpani with her McLeod’s Daughters co-star Michala Banas. Credit: Instagram
But when the new chapter of the franchise arrives, it will be Victoria reaping the economic rewards.
The production is projected to generate up to $35 million in expenditure and create as many as 900 jobs, with Victorian regional communities set to benefit from the high-profile series.
Despite the interstate move, producers insist the essence of the show will remain intact.
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“Though the horizon shifts into Victoria’s picturesque regional countryside, the heart of Drovers Run remains untouched,” the announcement said.
The revived series will follow a new generation of McLeod women, building on the world created by Posie Graeme-Evans while retaining the themes of family, resilience and life on the land that made the original a hit.
Nine Entertainment’s executive director of entertainment Michael Healy said Australians had made it clear they were eager to see the franchise return.
“The overwhelming and passionate response to our initial announcement made it clear that Australia is more than ready for the return of McLeod’s Daughters,” he said.
“We are thrilled to bring this iconic series to a new home in regional Victoria, placing its stunning landscapes and vibrant local communities at the very heart of this next chapter.”
Producer Joanna Werner said regional Victoria offered “stunning landscapes, outstanding talent and world-class crews” as the production prepares to get underway.
McLeod’s Daughters will now be filmed in Victoria. Credit: Supplied
VicScreen chief executive Caroline Pitcher said the series would create jobs, build local capability and deliver significant economic benefits across regional Victoria.
Originally premiering in 2001, McLeod’s Daughters became one of Australia’s most successful TV exports, running for eight seasons and 224 episodes and airing in more than 100 countries.
The series followed sisters Tess and Claire McLeod as they navigated life, romance and hardship on a sprawling cattle property, building a fiercely loyal fan base both in Australia and overseas.
Its South Australian roots became inseparable from the show’s identity, making Victoria’s capture of the revival a major coup in the competitive battle between states for film and television productions.
The new series will be produced by Werner Film Productions, part of BBC Studios, with major investment from VicScreen.
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