News| Jul 15, 2021

The much-anticipated Universal Studios Group series Joe Exotic started production last week at Brisbane’s Screen Queensland Studios, while cameras roll on the Gold Coast for Fremantle Australia’s Taylor’s Island.

Joe Exotic is a scripted series adapted from the Wondery podcast of the same name, and is based on the real lives of infamous U.S. big cat enthusiasts, Carole Baskin (Kate McKinnon) and tiger king Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel (John Cameron Mitchell).

With the Production Attraction support of the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland, in conjunction with federal government incentives, the series is filming at Screen Queensland Studios and on location throughout Brisbane and South-East Queensland, standing in for Oklahoma and Florida. 

Joe Exotic follows hit comedy series Young Rock as the second Universal Studios Group series to film at the Brisbane studios.

Tallebudgera Valley on the Gold Coast hinterland is an ideal stand-in for a dense tropical island, a short drive from idyllic coastal landscapes. Image courtesy of Screen Queensland.

Taylor’s Island, produced by Fremantle Australia for Viacom/CBS & Nickelodeon, with investment from Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, is a 20 x 22-minute series featuring a diverse main cast anchored by Australian leads.

The Gold Coast’s idyllic beaches and lush rainforests will double for a fictitious tropical island, where fourteen-year-old Taylor and her tight-knit group of friends will explore local mysteries.

For more information about Screen Queensland funding programs, incentives, locations and studios, visit www.screenqueensland.com.au or call +61 7 3248 0500.

Screen Queensland Studios is situated 11 kilometres east of downtown Brisbane, just 15-minutes drive from the Brisbane International Airport and an array of locations. Image courtesy of Screen Queensland.

Featured Image Credit: The Lost World Valley in South East Queensland is renowned for its rural, Americana feel. Courtesy of Screen Queensland.