Production of Network Ten’s new “dramality” series The Shire will start in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire on Wednesday, March 28.
Network Ten Chief Programming Officer David Mott said he was surprised Sutherland Shire councillors had publicly criticised The Shire and put forward a motion at a council meeting on March 19 stating they did “not approve the filming of The Shire and [would] not co-operate in any way with the production”.
“It is disappointing the councillors have made assumptions about The Shire before discussing it fully with us,” Mr Mott said.
“Their concerns appear to be based on footage that was leaked online, footage that has triggered some inaccurate, misleading and – in some cases – mischievous reporting.”
Mr Mott said the leaked footage was no longer a true representation of The Shire and it was incorrect to assume The Shire would be a clone of the American reality series Jersey Shore.
“The Shire will follow the lives of a group of young people who live in the Sutherland Shire. It will provide a very real glimpse into the private lives of a distinctive group of young Australians.”
The Shire is being produced by Shine Australia, the makers of MasterChef, The Biggest Loser and Australia’s Next Top Model. Executives from Shine have held regular discussions with Sutherland Shire Council in recent months.
“We are surprised by the media storm The Shire has generated even before production has started,” Mr Mott said.
“We already knew The Shire would be one of the most anticipated new series of 2012 and a bold, confident addition to our line-up. The attention it is attracting now has reinforced that belief and sure to put The Shire on the global map.”
‘”Despite all the noise, filming will start March 28.”
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