Australia’s next major television drama will feature a strong Far Northern flavour, with filming beginning at the heritage-listed Mossman Hospital today.

More than 65 cast and crew are in Mossman this week to film a major television series that will be aired on Channel Seven in 2016.

Matchbox Pictures and R&R Productions are producing the series for the Seven Network and have spent this week in Mossman shooting at Mossman Hospital and surrounding locations.

The project is expected to inject about $135,000 into the local economy and showcase the Far North on the national stage.

Mossman Hospital Director of Nursing Peter Le Griffon said there was a real excitement among staff as filming gets underway.

“The staff are bouncing off the walls with excitement. It isn’t every day you get to be a fly on the wall of a major television production,” he said.

“It makes sense that they’d want to film here. Mossman Hospital is one of the most striking hospitals not just in Queensland but in Australia.

“I reckon the hardest thing once production packs up is going to be the wait until we get to see the old girl on our TV screens.”

Producer Andy Walker said Far North Queensland remained a hugely attractive location for filming television drama.

“The richness of the available locations in Far North Queensland is truly special and unique. We’re shooting in extraordinary natural and built locations during our time here. To be able to shoot cane fields, pristine rivers, rainforests, tropical streetscapes and the most beautiful hospital in the country - all in one week - is testament to what the region has to offer film-makers. And our cast and crew couldn’t be happier to be here,” he said.

“Mossman Hospital is such an iconic location and one of the main reasons we decided to bring this production to Far North Queensland.

“We have had excellent support from the Douglas Shire Council and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service in making it possible to film up here and that only enhances this region’s reputation as one of the most desirable filming destinations in Queensland.”

Douglas Shire Council Mayor Julia Leu said she hoped that word-of-mouth generated from this latest production would continue to keep the region in the forefront of Australia’s film and television industry.

“Douglas Shire Council is proud to work closely with Screen Queensland and film and TV producers to showcase our spectacular region to audiences worldwide,” she said.

“Hosting large film crews in the Douglas Shire is not just a great boost for our local economy; it entices the audience to come and visit and creates a real buzz for locals to be involved.”

While details of the series remain a closely guarded secret, producers confirm the series tells of two strangers who intervene in a deadly car jacking and are swept up in a roller coaster chase across Australia starring Rebecca Gibney (Packed to the Rafters) and Steve Peacocke (Home and Away).