Exclusive: Luke Arnold on why the new season of Scrublands is 'completely different to anything you've seen before'
EXCLUSIVE: Aussie actor Luke Arnold is back, reprising his role as journalist Martin Scarsden in the highly anticipated second season of Scrublands.
The series – titled Scrublands: Silver – premieres today, and this time shifts from the parched plains of Riversend to the coastal town of Port Silver in Western Australia.
The brand new series of Scrublands: Silver is now streaming, only on Stan.
It's a stark visual contrast that Arnold describes as "completely different to anything you've seen before".
This season will see Martin's past catching up with him as he investigates the murder of his childhood friend, Jasper Speight (Hamish Michael), with his partner Mandy Bond (Bella Heathcote) as the prime suspect.
"In the first season, Martin was the outsider; he was not too personally connected to this mystery at hand," Arnold told 9Entertainment.
"I feel really at home in Martin, for better or worse." Arnold says about this role in Scrublands: Silver. Stan
"But in Season 2, it's Martin's past coming back to bite him. It's deeply personal.
"He wants to get to the truth because he wants the truth, not because he's gonna write in a story."
The backdrop of Western Australia, particularly the small town of Augusta, plays a significant role in the narrative.
"I'd never been down to Augusta where we shot Silver, and it's just exquisite," Arnold revealed. "It was really the perfect town to shoot a show like this.
"Augusta has got its own kind of microclimate, so every day there'd be a rainbow and a humpback whale. We could not have been welcomed more warmly. It's such a beautiful town with such a beautiful community."
Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote with director Ben Young are Stan
He also highlighted the local involvement adding: "So many of the locals and the local business owners show up in the show in different little extra roles."
READ MORE: Luke Arnold and Bella Heathcote return for electrifying new season of Stan's hit series Scrublands
The new season introduces a fresh ensemble of characters, adding layers to the already complex narrative.
"We have some people from Martin's past," Arnold says. "We have David Roberts coming in as Uncle Vern, whose connection with Martin is one of my favourite relationships in the show."
Also starring this season is Luke Carroll, Hamish Michael, Deb Lawrence and Tasma Walton, among others.
Debra Lawrance stars as Denise Speight. Stan
Returning to work with Bella Heathcote was a highlight for Arnold. "Bella's just the best," he says. "She's hilarious, she's such an amazing actor.
"Mandy and Martin are dealing with issues of trust, potential betrayal. It's still a newish relationship... and it's great when you've got to go into these scenes."
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Looking ahead, Arnold expressed his hopes for a third season, based on Chris Hammer's third book in the series, titled Scrublands: Trust.
Blue Heelers star Tasma Walton played Josie. Stan
But for now, Arnold is excited for people to dive into Scrublands: Silver.
"I can't imagine that anyone who enjoyed the first season isn't going to love the second one as well," he concluded.
The brand new season of the Stan Original Series Scrublands: Silver premieres April 17, all episodes at once and only on Stan.
Every episode of season one is now streaming, only on Stan.
Nine Entertainment Co (the publisher of this website) owns and operates the streaming service Stan.
