Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Aussie thriller has gun violence, sex references, drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Scrublands
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Based on the novel of the same name by Chris Hammer, SCRUBLANDS is an Australian series about a journalist hoping to uncover the reason behind a priest's horrible act. Disillusioned Sydney Morning Herald investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold) is sent by his editor (played by Nicholas Bell) to write an article about the recovery of a town called Riversend, where a year prior popular local priest Byron Swift (Jay Ryan) gunned down five congregation members as they stood outside the church. Frustrated by having to write the puff piece, he travels to the Eastern New South Wales town to interview its residents. But few people will talk to him about it; those who do, like Officer Robbie Haus-Jones (Adam War), who was responsible for ending Swift's life, share limited information and lots of assumptions, including the characterization of Swift as a pedophile. But soon single mother Mandy Bond (Bella Heathcote), a bookshop owner whose mother received endless help from "Father Byron" before her passing, tells Scarsden that she doesn't believe these allegations, and that the reason behind what he did remains unknown.
Is It Any Good?
It's hard not to get drawn into to this well-produced four-part noir series as it slowly uncovers the mystery behind a congenial priest's violent acts. Scrublands viewers already know who the killer is, but the palpable tension among the town's residents, and their open resistance to Martin Scarsden's attempts to learn the truth behind the late priest's actions, opens the door to a series of complicated backstories. Many of these are revealed in flashbacks smoothly woven into the narrative, while other details are revealed as the investigation moves forward. As these plotlines converge the suspense builds, which is what keeps Scrublands compelling until the end. It's an entertaining series, but it isn't for the faint of heart.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how people recover from major acts of violence committed against them and their communities. How can journalists help or hinder their ability to heal?
What storytelling devices does Scrublands use to build suspense throughout the series? Is it effective?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 2, 2024
- Cast : Luke Arnold , Jay Ryan , Bella Heathcote
- Network : AMC
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate